Question Is my house breaking my PC?

Matt_312

Distinguished
Jan 24, 2015
12
0
18,510
This is my second PC where the audio has crackling and my microphone has a constant whining sound. When I got this new PC there was no audio troubles but my computer would have random stutters and I updated everything from the BIOS to the drivers, even doing a fresh windows install which now brought on crackling in my audio. I am going to look into seeing if it is a problem with the electrical currents in my house causing this issue since all of solutions have been tried. I was curious if anyone thinks it has to do with "Electromagnetic interference" as multiple devices in my house have had similar issues and none seem to be due to software or hardware. At first it started with my mouse and system stuttering at random when I was playing a game or on my desktop. Once I updated my BIOS i had also wiped my PC and now the audio is crackling like my old PC used to. I feel like it has to do with the electrical currents in my house.

If you go to 1:13 there is a constant popping/crackle sound when sound effects are played in the distance while underground.


Here's another example of my windows audio mixer having static just from adjusting the volume.
View: https://youtu.be/vkZBBEaSXVE?t=130


This is a video from my old PC I recorded which had much more severe crackling in the audio.

 
Last edited:

Ralston18

Titan
Moderator
Seconding @hotaru.hino - yes get an electrician.

Also sketch out diagram showing all computers, peripheral devices, and network devices.

Include all connections and cables: electrical, audio, video, network.

Determine if there are any loops: Device A connected to Device B connected to Device C connected to Device D and connected to Device A again.

Any sort of loop no matter the order of the devices.

Referred to as a ground loop.

FYI:

https://answers.openeye.net/Trouble...s any,connected to different circuit breakers.

https://community.element14.com/tec.../blog/posts/secrets-of-ground-loops-explained

The links are for informational purposes only. Unless you have experience using a multi-meter or know someone who does, do not attempt to do the testing yourself.

Leave such testing to the recommended electrician.
 

DaleH

Notable
Mar 24, 2023
574
63
970
This is my second PC where the audio has crackling and my microphone has a constant whining sound. When I got this new PC there was no audio troubles but my computer would have random stutters and I updated everything from the BIOS to the drivers, even doing a fresh windows install which now brought on crackling in my audio. I am going to look into seeing if it is a problem with the electrical currents in my house causing this issue since all of solutions have been tried. I was curious if anyone thinks it has to do with "Electromagnetic interference" as multiple devices in my house have had similar issues and none seem to be due to software or hardware. At first it started with my mouse and system stuttering at random when I was playing a game or on my desktop. Once I updated my BIOS i had also wiped my PC and now the audio is crackling like my old PC used to. I feel like it has to do with the electrical currents in my house.

If you go to 1:13 there is a constant popping/crackle sound when sound effects are played in the distance while underground.


Here's another example of my windows audio mixer having static just from adjusting the volume.
View: https://youtu.be/vkZBBEaSXVE?t=130


This is a video from my old PC I recorded which had much more severe crackling in the audio.

If this were my computer, I would monitor the power supply outputs with an oscilloscope, but I doubt that you have access to one, and maybe are not familiar with its use.
 
Things than can cause interference.

Halogen lamp with dimmer switch

Dimmer wall switch on same circuit

Fridge on same circuit

Those squarely low wattage light bulbs in a lamp close to PC.

Not saying this is the issue but they sure play havoc on audio amplifiers