Y400 Sound Suddenly Goes Half Volume

I have an issue I'd imagine is likely something software and not hardware related but can't figure out what it could be or wear to look. So far this has happened 2 or 3 times while either watching Youtube videos or gaming over the week and a half I've been using the crud out of this new Y400 of mine. I'll be watching or playing and suddenly the sound gets quiet, sounds like it basically went down to half volume. I then have to turn it way up to hear at the same level again. I'm not sure if exiting the video or game and starting a new one makes it go back to normal or not, didn't pay that close attention but I think maybe it doesn't go back to normal until a reboot. I haven't reinstalled Windows or anything on it, I just removed the junk that came on it and left it with Windows 8 and so far the only software drivers I messed with was the nvidia drivers. That sound theatre thing it comes with is still installed, and I've had this happen while it was both on Movie and Music modes. Just curious if anybody else has had this happen or know what to try?

 

I had the same problem. It is OneKey Theater. Change OneKey Theater to Movie.

 

I'll try that, thanks

 

This didn't work unfortunately, still happens. What's odd too is that if I pause the youtube video and wait 10 secs and hit play again, it goes back to full volume. If I pause it and hit play again in less than 10 secs it's still quiet, I have to wait 10 seconds. Furthermore if you notice I think that OneKey THeatre doesn't do anything with the sound but its for video. WHen you change it you'll see your picture get smoother, darker, brighter, etc so that has nothing to do with this. Any other ideas?

 

Reinstall audio driver?

 

Au contraire mon ami! One Key Theater is hooked into the RealTek SRS Premium Surround Sound. As you switch to the Movie Mode via OKT, the RealTek SRS goes from Normal to Movie sound. At least that's what is does on my "ancient" Y470.

The integration between the audio, and video, is definitely there.

Can I get a witness?

Edit: Do you use Skype, or have Skype loaded? Any other quasi telephone communication programs loaded? If you do, check your Sound, under the Communication tab. Make sure "Do Nothing" is checked on that tab. If your laptop thinks that there is an incoming call (real or imaginary), this setting will reduce your volume if you have any other setting except Do Nothing.

View attachment 100171

 

OK ya I lied that thing does adjust sound, I swear I played with that earlier and it didn't. Anyway I found the true culprit before reading your post, that's exactly what it was in that audio control panel. I also realized I had the same issue on my desktop whenever I plug in a USB device of any kind and that seems to have fixed it on my desktop too! Thanks!