Question Cracking audio on all outputs using all drivers

[louis_A_man]

Audio crackles briefly every few seconds in music or in game, frequency seems to vary a bit depending on the output and audio settings. Windows system sounds also crackle, and more so than other audio sources, basically continuously while they play.

The system on which the issue occurs:

motherboard: gigabyte aorus x570 pro wifi ITX
cpu: amd ryzen 5800X
gpu: k2fa RTX 3070
ram: 32GB (2 xc 16GB) DDR4 corsair CL16 RAM (overclocked)
psu: Lian Li SP750 80 gold SFX

Outputs I've tried:

3.5mm jack from motherboard and case
HDMI
bluetooth
razer headphones using usb dongle

Things I've already tried:

Changing audio quality settings
Disabling all audio enhancements
Disabling exclusive mode
Disabling all other sound devices
Making sure spatial audio is off in windows sound settings
Turning off HD audio controller in BIOS
Using High performance power plan
Uninstalling razer synapse and thx audio
Using recommended realtek audio driver version for mobo (weirdly there's two recommended and I've tried both https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/X570-AORUS-ELITE-rev-10/support#support-dl-driver)
Using Microsoft HD audio driver instead of realtek by selecting 'update driver' on the realtek one in device manager and pointing it at the microsoft one
Installed all windows updates (windows 10 22h2)


Any idea what could be causing this? At this point I'm sure unsure whether it's a hardware of a software issue.

 

[4745454b]

Have you tried different speakers? Or a different cable connecting them?

In theory OCing can change things. I'd remove any OC you have as well.

 

[louis_A_man]

Have you tried different speakers? Or a different cable connecting them?

In theory OCing can change things. I'd remove any OC you have as well.

Yep two sets of speakers with different cables and two sets of headphones, one bluetooth one with dongle. Updated my BIOS just now which seems to have removed my RAM overclock and it's still the same.

 

[Ralston18]

When did the cracking start?

Any software, hardware, electrical changes made just before the crackling began?

Any UPSs , surge protectors, power strips, extension cords?

Sketch out the current set up to show all cables of all types and include all electrical cords for all devices on the circuit.

Look for a loop: Device A connected to Device B connected to Device C connected to Device D connected to Device A again.

Power down, unplug open the case.

Clean out dust and debris.

Verify by sight and feel that all connectors, cards, RAM, jumpers, and case connections are fully and firmly in place.

Inspect for signs of damage: bare conductor showing, melting, kinked or pinched wires, cracks, corrosion, scratches, anything browned or blackened, anything appearing wet. Loose or missing screws.

Check all I/O panel and case ports for damage or debris.

 

[louis_A_man]

When did the cracking start?

Any software, hardware, electrical changes made just before the crackling began?

Any UPSs , surge protectors, power strips, extension cords?

Sketch out the current set up to show all cables of all types and include all electrical cords for all devices on the circuit.

Look for a loop: Device A connected to Device B connected to Device C connected to Device D connected to Device A again.

Power down, unplug open the case.

Clean out dust and debris.

Verify by sight and feel that all connectors, cards, RAM, jumpers, and case connections are fully and firmly in place.

Inspect for signs of damage: bare conductor showing, melting, kinked or pinched wires, cracks, corrosion, scratches, anything browned or blackened, anything appearing wet. Loose or missing screws.

Check all I/O panel and case ports for damage or debris.

difficult to say when it started as there was a period of a few months until recently when I wasn't using it much, but noticed the problem when I started using it daily again recently. I haven't installed anything that's not a game on it for a long time.

It's plugged into a power strip (which is relatively new and of decent quality), which is plugged into the mains. Apparently the wiring in this house is quite bad, but I've lived here for 6 months and it definitely worked without issue with the same wiring setup in this house for a few months before the problem started.

I will open it up, clean and inspect it tomorrow.