[SOLVED] Audio not acting right

[12phantom]

I started up my computer earlier and for some reason im now getting subtle cracking noises between all headsets. i also use Peace Equalizer, whenever i change something on it it doesnt affect the audio like it did before. I tried a different equalizer and it still doesnt do anything to the audio, ive checked drivers etc but i have no idea.

 

[maurice_torres]

Run the audio troubleshooter
For help fixing audio or sound problems, try the audio troubleshooter. It might be able to fix audio problems automatically.
To run the troubleshooter, select the Start button, type audio troubleshooter in the search box, select Find and fix audio playback problems from the list of results, and then select Next.
If running the troubleshooter doesn't help, see the Check cables, volume section below.
Check cables, volume
Try these steps:

• 
  Check your speaker and headphone connections for loose cables or the wrong jack.
  Check your power and volume levels, and try turning all the volume controls up.
  Some speakers and apps have their own volume controls, and you might have to check them all.
  Connect to a different USB port.
  Remember that your speakers probably won't work when headphones are plugged in.

If your cables and volume are okay, see the Check Device Manager section below.
Check Device Manager
Try these steps:

• 
  Select the Start button, type Device Manager in the search box, and then select Device Manager from the list of results. Under Sound, video and game controllers, select your sound card, open it, select the Driver tab, and then select Update Driver. If Windows doesn't find a new driver, look for one on the device manufacturer's website and follow their instructions.

If that didn't work, try this:

• 
  Uninstall your audio driver: in Device Manager, right-click (or press and hold) the audio driver, and then select Uninstall. Restart your device and Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver.

And if that didn't work, try using the generic audio driver that comes with Windows. Here's how:

• 
  Open Device Manager, right-click (or press and hold) your audio driver > Update driver > Browse my computer for driver software > Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer, select High Definition Audio Device, select Next, and follow the instructions to install it.

Set default device
If you're connecting to an audio device using USB or HDMI, you might need to set that device as the default.

Select the Start button, type Sound in the search box, and then select Sound from the list of results. On the Playback tab, select a device, then Set Default.
Turn off Audio Enhancements
Follow these steps:

• 
  Select the Start button, type Sound in the search box, and then select Sound Control Panel from the list of results.
  On the Playback tab, right-click (or press and hold) the Default Device, and then select Properties.
  On the Enhancements tab, select the Disable all enhancements check box and try to play your audio device.
  If that doesn't work, select Cancel and, on the Playback tab, select another default device (if you have one), select the Disable all enhancements check box, and try to play audio again. Do this for each default device.

Try different audio formats
Try these steps:

• 
  Select the Start button, type Sound, and then select Sound Control Panel from the list of results.
  On the Playback tab, right-click (or press and hold) the Default Device, and then select Properties.
  On the Advanced tab, under Default Format, change the setting, and then retest your audio device. If that doesn't work, try changing the setting again.

Restart to apply installed updates
Many updates require you to restart your device. Save your work and close all open applications. Then, select the Start button, go to Power , and select either Update and restart or Update and shut down.

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Peter Barnett
VP of Product Strategy
Software Deployment and Distribution