Question Troubleshooting Crackling and Popping Audio Issues on PC (Windows Interaction Only)

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Rele999

Apr 26, 2024
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Hello,

For the past few days, I've been trying to fix persistent audio issues where I constantly hear popping and crackling sounds whenever I interact with Windows. This issue occurs, for example, when pausing or unpausing a video, or when a Windows notification plays. However, I've noticed that the problem only arises when interacting with Windows. There is no crackling or popping when playing video games or using applications like Spotify.

Here are the steps I've already tried to resolve the issue:
  • Completely reinstalled Windows multiple times
  • Removed and reinstalled drivers (video, audio, etc.)
  • Changed power settings
  • Tried different headsets (the issue persists regardless of the hardware but doesn't occur when connected to a different PC)
  • Tried multiple audio jacks and USB ports
  • Updated BIOS
  • Tried sfc /scannow / DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  • Changed audio format
  • Disabled any enhancements


Despite these efforts, the crackling and popping audio persist, but only when interacting with Windows, not in games or other applications (For Example Spotify) but it still occurs when for example pausing video in browser etc.. . If anyone has further suggestions or solutions, I'd greatly appreciate it.
 
I'm thinking it's bad drivers that are being automatically installed by Windows. Though, if it were, I would expect to still encounter issues with all sounds and not just Windows ones. It's not the audio device itself as it works with another PC, and it's not the ports because you've tried all of them. It could maybe also be the motherboard analog audio chip, but I'm pretty sure that's only used for analog audio so a USB device should work and I would again expect that to affect more than just Windows sounds.

Regardless, please run the following in a command window from your desktop, upload the file created to a cloud storage provider such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox and share the link here:

Code: 
pnputil /enum-devices /class media /drivers > rele999_audio_troubleshooting.txt

Then do the same thing on a PC where the device is working.
 
CodeConnoisseur said:
I'm thinking it's bad drivers that are being automatically installed by Windows. Though, if it were, I would expect to still encounter issues with all sounds and not just Windows ones. It's not the audio device itself as it works with another PC, and it's not the ports because you've tried all of them. It could maybe also be the motherboard analog audio chip, but I'm pretty sure that's only used for analog audio so a USB device should work and I would again expect that to affect more than just Windows sounds.

Regardless, please run the following in a command window from your desktop, upload the file created to a cloud storage provider such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox and share the link here:

Code: 
pnputil /enum-devices /class media /drivers > rele999_audio_troubleshooting.txt

Then do the same thing on a PC where the device is working.
Click to expand...
Hey! Ive used the command and uploaded it on jumpshare - https://jumpshare.com/s/3xr0yIGcntLfSYhxOgVc

Ive tried both Realtek & Windows drivers but nothing changed
 
Are you sure it's not some hidden setting? Have you checked the volume mixer? Maybe create a temporary test user local account? You said you reinstalled Windows though.
 
CodeConnoisseur said:
Are you sure it's not some hidden setting? Have you checked the volume mixer? Maybe create a temporary test user local account? You said you reinstalled Windows though.
Click to expand...
Ive even installed Win 11 & Win 10 on USB with completely separated files and nothing changed, still popping
 
Rele999 said:
Ive even installed Win 11 & Win 10 on USB with completely separated files and nothing changed, still popping
Click to expand...
Weird idea: If you record the computer audio and listen to it back using something like OBS, does it pop in the recording? Upload it here too probably. This might be able to help determine where in the chain the issue is, e.g. if it's right from the output of Windows or if something is happening as the sound is traveling to your audio device.
 
Last edited:
@Rele999

Update your post to include full system hardware specs and OS information.

Include PSU: make, model, wattage, age, condition (original to build, new, refurbished, used)? History of heavy use for gaming or video editing?

Disk drive(s): make, model, capacity, how full?
 
CodeConnoisseur said:
Weird idea: If you record the computer audio and listen to it back using something like OBS, does it pop in the recording? Upload it here too probably. This might be able to help determine where in the chain the issue is, e.g. if it's right from the output of Windows or if something is happening as the sound is traveling to your audio device.
Click to expand...
Good idea. Ive recorded it and it can be heard in the video: https://streamable.com/436o7d (Ive previews it in the windows audio tab, since it repeats same sound over and over and the popping can be easily heard there)
 
Rele999 said:
Good idea. Ive recorded it and it can be heard in the video: https://streamable.com/436o7d (Ive previews it in the windows audio tab, since it repeats same sound over and over and the popping can be easily heard there)
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure this is normal. I hear the same thing on my own system, it's probably just due to how the sound is cut. You said that it doesn't happen on other PCs though? Are there other examples?
 
CodeConnoisseur said:
I'm pretty sure this is normal. I hear the same thing on my own system, it's probably just due to how the sound is cut. You said that it doesn't happen on other PCs though? Are there other examples?
Click to expand...
Yep. When i try this exact thing (the windows notification, the notification when opening something as admin, pausing & unpausing videos etc..) on my old laptop, it isn’t popping like this at all.

I’ve also tried Bluetooth headset and still the same.
 
Rele999 said:
Yep. When i try this exact thing (the windows notification, the notification when opening something as admin, pausing & unpausing videos etc..) on my old laptop, it isn’t popping like this at all.

I’ve also tried Bluetooth headset and still the same.
Click to expand...
Does your older laptop use Windows 11? If you want, you can disable these sounds or select different ones from "Change system sounds" in Control Panel where you can also configure playback and recording devices. But like I said, I hear the exact same thing on my own computer and it doesn't bother me. It seems to be more noticeable with very short sounds, probably because by the time the hardware starts playing the sound it's already over.
 
Last edited:
CodeConnoisseur said:
Does your older laptop use Windows 11? If you want, you can disable these sounds or select different ones from "Change system sounds" in Control Panel where you can also configure playback and recording devices. But like I said, I hear the exact same thing on my own computer and it doesn't bother me. It seems to be more noticeable with very short sounds, probably because by the time the hardware starts playing the sound it's already over.
Click to expand...
I might end up just turning off all the system sounds, even though it would (I’ve tried this before) still leave some issues, for example the video pausing / unpausing but I guess it’s better than nothing.
 
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