Pc Audio Pops / Crackling And Freezes When Audio Drops

hello i got this problem for a couple of years now with the audio pops / crackling + freezes when im playing games, i know for sure this is not an hardware/software related problem bcs i changed everything in this pc, ( psu, gpu, ssd, ram, cpu, motherboard, windows reinstalls, etc ) and idk what to do anymore, i didnt had this problem for 3-4 months but now it appeared again, also im not using the motherboard audio driver, its the same thing with and without it, ive seen some guys on this forum complaining about smothness of the monitor and mouse delay, i dont seem to have this issue, only the audio problem


pc specs - r5 5600x overclocked
rtx 5060ti 16gb
750w bequiet psu
16x2 3600mhz corsair ram ddr4
aorus b450 elite v2

 

Try this option here.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-US...o/fix-distorted-or-crackling-audio-in-windows

 

it is not an hardware/software issue as i mentioned, i already tried those easy fixes but no improvement, i tried with tweaked windows, bios, hidden bios settings for lowest latency and less power saving options and its the same thing

 

Have you tried using a separate soundcard instead of the onboard audio?

 

yes, i tried that no change at all

 

would try and update the drivers and bios.

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B450-AORUS-Elite-V2-rev-1x/support#Support-Driver

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B450-AORUS-Elite-V2-rev-1x/support#Support-Bios

 

i tried everything related to hardware/software as i mentioned

 

Are the sounds coming out of the speakers or headphones.It could be a bad connection issue.My laptop kind does the same thing.

Does your monitor have speakers built in.If they do you might have to disable them through sound settings.
Try and see if any output device might be causing the problem

 

i only have my headphones there. also using my setup at my friends home fixes the problem

 

So what's different there?

 

i dont seem to have the issue with the audio pops/crackling at his house, i suspect there is something wrong with my electricity but idk where to start

 

What do you have plugged in nearby the laptop? Lamp, modem/router, charging block/cable?

 

i got only the monitor and the pc in the power strip

 

Try swapping out the the surge protector to see if that changes any thing.Sounds like a bad one.Check the cord on the surge protector to see if it's running really hot.A really hot cord means too much power draw and could lead to a fire.

Mose it to another room and see if there is any difference.

Sounds like a cheap surge protector and have you had any storms lately like power outages in last couple months.This could be the root of the problem.If you know anyone that is a electrician ask a favor and have them check the breaker box.There could be a fault in there as well.

 

https://homearise.com/surge-protector-making-noise/

 

How old is the powerstrip? Is it a surge suppressor, as well? These should be replaced every couple of years, and it's better to purchase better-quality units. If you have the funds available, consider a smallish UPS, such as one by APC or Tripplite.

NEVER cheap-out on your power system: doing so will almost always bite you in the a**.

 

I have 4 one is connected with my desktop and 3 screen setup.The ones the Walmart sells are pretty good the Philips brands.I have a couple connected to my usb charger hub and a light system with the modems.And a portable AC in the room.

I all ways look at the wattage or joules they can handle higher the joules the better.

https://www.walmart.com/search?q=philip+surge+protector+outlet

 

the surge protector has no problem at all, i got a philips one that i bought recently

 

the surge protector seems fine maybe its something related to the grounding bcs my house doesnt seem to have grounding at all

 

Appearances don't matter in this case: if they're more than two or three years old, they should be replaced. If you live in an area with frequent electrical instabilities, they should be replaced more often.

There should be a fault indicator light on your surge suppressor: if it's lit then, yeah, you have a problem. Consult a professional licensed electrician.

 

Test by bypassing the power strip. Unplug the power strip and unplug the PC / monitor from the power strip. Plug the PC/monitor directly into the wall. Do you still get the popping and hissing?

 

yes

 

Test another plug in another room? Still popping?

 

i tried in another room, it was fine only that day, when i booted in the morning the pc the problem came back

 

For clarity, this was in the different room? Not the original room? Without the power strip?

 

yes, in different room without powerstrip but it was good only for one day

 

1. Download Specify

• Go to: https://spec-ify.com/
  
  
• Scroll down slightly and click the button to download Specify.exe.
  

2. Run the Tool

• Locate the downloaded Specify.exe file and double-click to open it.
  
  
• (Note: If a blue Windows SmartScreen box pops up, simply click "More Info" and then "Run anyway".)
  

3. Protect Your Privacy

• Before running the scan, click the Settings button in the tool.
  
  
• Check the box that says Remove Username to hide your Windows account name from the log.
  

4. Generate Your Link

• Click Start and wait a few moments for the program to scan your system.
  
  
• Once finished, it will automatically open your web browser to a secure page showing your specs.
  

5. Post the Log

• Copy the URL from your browser's address bar and paste it directly into your next reply here.
  
  
• (Note: For your privacy, this link will automatically expire and delete itself after 24 hours.)
  

6. Include your PSU Specifications

• Software cannot accurately read your Power Supply Unit (PSU). If you are using a desktop PC, please open your case and read the sticker on the power supply, then reply with the exact Make and Model.
  

 

link - https://spec-ify.com/profile/71cde379
psu - bequiet power 10 750w bronze

 

I'm a little short on bread crumbs, but have you tried a second, known good set of speakers at the domicile in question, with aforementioned power issues, with said hardware?

 

yes i had before razer kraken tournament edition and now i have hyperx cloud 3 s, same thing

 

https://i.imgur.com/t4NIikU.png

1. The Voicemeeter Configuration
The presence of VB-Audio Voicemeeter VAIO means It's routing the audio through a virtual software mixer. Voicemeeter is incredibly sensitive to sample rate mismatches and buffer underruns, making it the most common culprit for robotic, cracking, or popping audio.

How to Fix It:

• Unify Sample Rates: Open the Windows Sound Control Panel. Ensure that every single recording and playback device (including the physical mic/headphones and the virtual Voicemeeter VAIO devices) is set to the exact same sample rate and bit depth (e.g., 24-bit, 48000 Hz).
  
  
• Increase Buffer Size: Open Voicemeeter and go to Menu > System Settings / Options. Look at the buffering for WDM, KS, and MME. Increase the buffer size (e.g., from 512 to 1024) for the engine the user is utilizing.
  
  
• Restart the Audio Engine: If the audio gets degraded over time, having the user click Menu > Restart Audio Engine in Voicemeeter is a quick way to verify if the virtual routing is the bottleneck.
  

2. The HDAUDIO Device Error
The second item in the list, High Definition Audio Device, has an Error status. This is usually the motherboard's onboard audio or the graphics card's HDMI/DisplayPort audio output.

When an audio device is in an error state, Windows constantly tries to poll it or resolve driver conflicts. This generates system interrupts (DPC latency spikes). When the CPU is busy handling these errors, it briefly ignores the audio buffer, resulting in a distinct "pop" or dropout.

How to Fix It:

• Disable the Unused Device: If the user gets their audio through a USB interface, a USB headset, or Voicemeeter, they likely don't need this specific device. Open Windows Device Manager, expand "Sound, video and game controllers," find the failing device, right-click it, and select Disable device. This stops Windows from interacting with it entirely and clears the latency spikes.
  

 

The hdaudio device has an error probably becouse its not plugged in the motherboard at all, regarding the voicemeeter thing its the same thing with and without as i mentioned this has nothing to do with hardware/software

 

That's a tough one, as a PC is nothing but hardware and software. Troubleshooting successfully requires a set of specific variables and data points. I don't have those variables, so troubleshooting is difficult to impossible. You say you changed everything in the PC and listed each component. Were each component the same brand and capacity? Windows reinstallation: Was it a complete clean install? Did you replace the case fans?

If it's not hardware or software, then it's from an outside source. RF interference? What's in the room? Oscillating fan? Coffee maker? Tesla coil? Rats in the wall chewing wire? Does a neighbor have a CD or HAM radio? Do you live near an airport?

@Digerati