VLC Media Player WARNING

Note that this is a Legacy FAQ and contains information that is more current. See the update below for the current situation.

Dell technical support is to deny service guarantee for speaker damage if the popular VLC Media Player is installed on a Dell laptop. Also, we got a report that the service was rejected because a KMPlayer is installed on a laptop. The guarantee remains valid on the other parts of the laptop.

VLC has a function that can make the sound seems stronger than other players. VLC does this by using a process that creates a hard clipping (see below in this thread for explanation) which can damage the small speakers. Dell has tested VLC and checked the speakers may be damaged after several hours of use of VLC. I think that HP (Hewlett Packard) also asserts that VLC damage are not covered by the warranty.

If you choose to use the VLC Player, it is suggested that you do not set the volume to 100% to avoid potential damage to the speakers. If you contact Technical Support about a problem of speaker, it is suggested that you have not installed the player.

If you have already been rejected warranty service for a speaker only problem because you have the VLC Player, please see the next post which is marked "verified the answer." Send DELL - Terry B a private message. The way to do is to click on his link, which is its name in blue letters. This will take you to their profile page where you can click 'Send private message' or 'add as friend '.

LAST UPDATED 27/01/2016

From 03/03/2014 exclusion is no longer applied to the models that have Windows 8 or 8.1. Exclusion still applied to systems of Windows 7 that did not have the latest audio driver and BIOS installed.

The latest version of VLC Media Player audio boosts only 125%, not the 200-400% of earlier versions, so the question is perhaps moot now anyway. (Note that there is still a risk if you use a software to increase the volume of more than 100%. Dell recommends not to go more than 90 %.)

Great post Jimco

If someone has been denied assistance by technical support when troubleshooting only executed has been to find VLC player installed please feel free to private message me. Just click on the link in my signature or my portrait and then click Start conversation.  In your message, please include your contact information, serial number of the laptop and any number of cases that support can be offered. I'll be happy to continue the investigation.

For those of you who have requested official documentation of Dell on the Please topic, take a look at the following link.

Problem with the volume while using VLC media player

When you use VLC media player, the volume can be increased to maximum power. Finally, it distorts the speaker output. If audio/video playback is made permanently using VLC with volume max (100%) over a period of time, then even if the volume is kept at a lower level sound would be distorted. This distortion is permanent.

Why does this happen?

Some audio applications like VLC player will allow high power output per speaker, about 200 to 400% of the original audio production. In this case, excessive use can damage the speaker.

What is the resolution?

If you use VLC or any other software amplification, ensure that the built-in audio output is set to 90% and the output volume of the software of the amplification is set to 95%

Tags: Dell Laptop

Similar Questions

Maybe you are looking for