HP Pavilion Power 15 (15-cb001xx): Fix AUDIO issues and other tips

Summary

Device: HP Pavilion Power - 15-cb001np
Driver: Realtek High-Definition (HD) Audio Driver (Windows 10 v1803) Direct Link
Driver version: 6.0.1.8412 Rev.D / 6.0.1.8554

Realtek's drivers are notorious for various issues going by the many forum and reddit posts one can find with a simple search. This particular version used by HP on its Pavilion devices has an issue with sound crackling or static noise (particularly when external USB devices are connected) and with audio delays which can quickly get annoying.

We'll be using the latest driver provided by HP (download link above) and will change a few settings in the registry. We'll also be looking at preventing the Realtek HD Audio Manager or B&O Play Audio Control from connecting to the internet (for privacy reasons).

MAKE SURE YOU'RE USING THE LATEST DRIVER VERSION BEFORE PROCEEDING

Fix 3 second audio delay (headphones)

If you're experiencing problems with audio playing only after 3 or so seconds while using headphones (for instance on Youtube, in video games, when watching a video), you should know that this is caused by an issue with Realtek's driver power management settings. 

Look for Realtek High Definition Audio in DriverDesc

Change the PowerSettings

1.  Open the START menu
2. Type in registry and launch REGISTRY EDITOR
3. Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4d36e96c-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}\ or copy and paste it directly into the registry.
4. Open up that key (or folders), there you'll find a series of keys like 0000, 0001, 0002 etc.
5. Find the key that has the DriverDesc value 'Realtek High Definition Audio' and open it (for me it was located in 0007, check the image above).
6. Go into PowerSettings and double click on ConservationIdleTime, IdlePowerState and PerformanceIdleTime to change their values from 0a 00 00 00 to ff ff ff ff
7. You're done, reboot your computer.

Fix B&O Play Audio Control not launching

If you've noticed a change in the sound quality it's because the B&O Audio control planel (or Realtek HD Audio Manager) sometimes fails to launch and apply the correct equalizer settings. To fix this we will have the sound manager launch every time we logon with help of the Windows Task Scheduler.

1.  Open the START menu
2. Type in task and launch TASK SCHEDULER
3. On the left of the window select Task Scheduler Library then on the right pick 'Create Basic Task...'
4. In the dialog that opens up give a name to the task and press Next, then select 'When I log on' when asked 'When do you wan the task to start?', press Next.
5. When asked 'What action do you want the task to perform?' select 'Start a program'. Press Next.
6. Now click on 'Browse...' and look for the program in 'C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\' then select the file RtkNGUI64.exe and press 'Open'.
   
7. Right below in 'Add arguments (optional):' add the following: -s
8. Press 'Next' and then select 'Open the Properties dialog for this task when I click Finish'.
9. Press 'Finish'. 
10. In the Properties dialog browse to the tab 'Conditions', then under Power untick 'Start the task only if the computer is on AC power'.
11. Next go into the 'Settings' tab and check 'If the task is already running, then the following rule applies:' is set to 'Do not start a new instance'.
12. Press OK, quit the Task Scheduler and reboot your computer to confirm everything is working correctly.

Prevent Realtek HD Audio Manager / B&O Play Audio Control to send telemetry

HP's audio manager has built-in telemetry according to their Privacy Policy and can connect to the internet to send that information. If you want to avoid this you'll have to block it in your firewall settings from accessing the internet with the use of your firewall. There are many tutorials on the internet on how to do this so no point in doing it here again, simple follow the image below if you need pointers.

Make sure to block these 3 executables: RtkNGUI64.exe / RtkAudioService64.exe / RtkAudioService64.exe.