HP Envy 14 Speaker Malfunction

I just got my HP Envy 14 and noticed that sound only comes out from the right side of external speaker vents. The vents on the left side (right next to the "b" beats symbol) have no sound coming out of them. Is it suppose to be like this or is this a malfunction?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

Check your speaker settings in the Beats Audio panel. Specifically look at the left/right channel balanace. If the balance is at it's default setting (in the middle) and the left speaker has no sound, then it is a problem.

 

Check your window's sound settings just like Metril said, if not it could have been a malfunction from the factory. Call HP and see what they might be able to do. Not sure if HP works like Dell/Alienware when its a problem that can be fixed they send out the parts and they have techs come to your house. Good Luck! Sorry you are having a problem.

 

Thank you for the potential solutions. How do I access the actual Beats Audio panel? Is it the same as the standard volume control settings?

 

Nope, you can find it in the Control Panel. It's also always running in my taskbar, so you could check there as well.

You'll want to go to Playback > Speakers and Headphones > Setup. You can adjust the balance there, as well as testing your speakers, which will fire first the left channel, and then the right channel. If the balance is set to the middle and the right channel fires, but you don't hear the left, then you've got a genuine problem.

 

Mr. Envy -
I have the exact same issue. No sound at all out of the left speaker. Do as the others have suggested. Check balance in control panel>sound & perform individual speaker tests. Then do the same in the Beats panel. I finally called the Envy support today & the guy was totally clueless. Told me I needed to send it in for service. I replied that I didn't think a brand new "premium" notebook should arrive needing service. He agreed. I'll be sending it back for another exchange next week (this will be #3). Is there a limit on the number of times you can exchange due to defect? If not, I will continue until they get it right. I love the design, but the QC is absolute garbage.

 

After doing the left and right speaker test, unfortunately, I do have a legit malfunction. I guess I'll be sending in the Envy for a replacement. Just curious, does anyone know if they give out a new unit or just repair the current one?

Thanks to everybody for their help.

 

If you are within your 21 day period since arrival, you can request a "rma" & receive a new machine. You also have the option of sending in for repair. After the 21 day period, you only have the repair option. But I would still suggest calling the Envy technical support line & informing them of the issue (so hopefully it will be looked into & maybe something will be done about the problem).

 

My Envy arrived with a dysfunctional left speaker as well--in addition to a dead pixel near the center of the display. My new Envy arrives on the 10th. Here's hoping it's defect free.

Good luck everybody

 

Looks like mine is also having problems with the left speaker. Still within the 21 days, but what a pain. I guess I'll image the hard drive so I don't have to reinstall everything...

UPDATE: In playing around with it, it seems there is a particular place I can lightly pinch both the bottom and the top at the same time, about an inch above and a half-inch to the left of the speaker, and I magically have sound out of that speaker. If I let go, the speaker is dead again. I guess a faulty contact? Would it be safe to wedge something like a few small pieces of electrical tape between the battery and the inside of the battery compartment over that one spot? I feel like if I just could get a little bit of pressure over that one area, it would be fixed...

On a side note, I can't help but notice it is the spot right next to the USB ports, which don't match as well with the opening on the chassis as the should (they are set a slightly too low for the openings. It results in a tight fit for the ports, although not ridiculously so. I wonder if the two issues are related (i.e. could the screw or attachment point for the motherboard be loose at that location)?

UPDATE #2: I went ahead and added a 3mm thick piece of electrical tape over the spot underneath the batter, and then put back in the battery and battery cover, and I now have sound out of both speakers consistently. I think I'll pass on sending it in, as I have no CPU whine, no dead pixels, etc. and am otherwise very happy with the unit I was sent. I worry that I'll get a new one with an even worse issue if I RMA it. Still interested in peoples' thoughts and opinions about the issue, though, especially if there is some hazard to the particular way I bandaged the problem.

 

My envy has this problem as well. And i can also confirm the "solution" by DB27 (thanks for sharing)
I added some millimeters of electrical tape to the spot that DB27 mentioned and now i have audio from the left speaker.
Will keep an eye on it and do some testing but it seems to work just fine.

 

My friend has just delivered my Envy 14 from the US and I've got a dead left speaker. It's past the 21 days so RMA isn't a possibility. Can't find this sweet spot you're talking about, any chance of a photo? I'm willing to try anything. I guess I will also try my luck with HP UK support and see what they say, but seeing as it is a US laptop not sure I will get much help. This sucks

 

I'm not at home so I can't take a picture, but the best way to test is to take out the battery (while on external power, obviously), put a song on continuous play, and pinch the handrest and opposite area in the battery compartment about 3cm diagonally in from the left corner of the laptop. You will likely not get the exact spot at first, but then do the same thing in the same general area, moving your fingers a few millimeters at a time, until you find a good spot. You need to put a medium amount of force at times, but I never had to pinch so hard I felt something might break.

If you are only pushing from one side, it is a lot harder to find.

Once you find the spot, make a 5mmx5mm or so patch of electrical tape, about 1-2mm thick, and attach that to the spot. You then have to carefully put the battery and cover back on. The cover will be a tight fit.

Obviously, do this at your own risk. I have no idea if there will be any long term effects of this, but so far it works for me.

 

Thanks for all the help DB27 - I think I've tried every square millimetre in the bottom left hand corner of my Envy without luck. I've logged a support call with HP UK so hopefully they will help me out, not holding my breath though.