Are you experiencing crackling, static, or popping sounds while using audio on your Windows 11 PC? No worries! This frustrating issue occurs especially when watching videos, playing games, or attending meetings. In this detailed guide, I’m going to break down the 9 most effective ways to fix the audio issues on Windows 11 24H2 like a pro. Read on to..
Fix Audio Crackling, Static, or Popping Sounds in Windows 11
So, triggers the audio issues on Windows 11? More often than not, it’s caused by outdated drivers, power settings, or interference from system processes. Thankfully, there are various solutions to take control of it.
1. Update Your Audio Drivers
Keep in mind that outdated or incompatible audio drivers are one of the most common causes of crackling and static. Therefore, it would be better to update your audio drivers on your PC.
- To get going, press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.
- Now, expand the Sound, video and game controllers section.
- Then, right-click your audio device and select Update driver.
- Next, choose Search automatically for drivers.
- Next up, restart your PC after updating your drivers.
2. Change the Default Format of Your Playback Device
Be warned that the incorrect audio format settings may lead to distortion or popping noises.
- Simply, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and choose Sound settings.
- Go to the Playback tab, select your device, and click Properties.
- Under the Advanced tab, try different sample rates (e.g., 24-bit, 44100 Hz).
- Test each setting to see which eliminates the issue.
3. Disable Audio Enhancements
Audio enhancements can interfere with playback, especially on certain sound cards.
- Open the Control Panel on your PC and go to Sound.
- Select your playback device and click Properties.
- Under the Enhancements tab, check Disable all enhancements.
- Click Apply and OK.
4. Set Your Audio Device as Default
Windows might be routing sound through the wrong device, leading to interference.
- On your PC, launch the Settings app > System > Sound.
- Select the Output option.
- Click on your primary speaker and select Set as default.
- Disable other unused audio output devices if necessary.
5. Turn Off Exclusive Mode
Exclusive mode can allow apps to take full control of your audio device, sometimes leading to conflicts.
- First off, right-click the speaker icon, go to Sounds, and open Properties for your playback device.
- Under the Advanced tab, uncheck both options under Exclusive Mode.
- Apply the changes and test your audio.
6. Disable CPU and GPU Power Saving Features
Power-saving features can affect audio processing, causing stuttering and crackling.
- To do so, navigate to Control Panel > Power Options.
- Select High performance or Ultimate performance mode.
- Click Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings.
- Expand Processor power management and set Minimum processor state to 100%.
7. Check for DPC Latency Issues
High DPC latency can cause audio crackling due to driver or system delays.
- Download and run LatencyMon (a free tool).
- Analyze results to identify problematic drivers.
- Update or disable the flagged drivers, especially related to network, graphics, or storage.
8. Use Windows Audio Troubleshooter
Windows has a built-in tool to automatically detect and fix common audio issues.
- Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Find Playing Audio and click Run.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to resolve any detected issues.
9. Reinstall Your Audio Device
Reinstalling the driver ensures all corrupt or misconfigured settings are cleared.
- Open Device Manager and expand Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click your audio device and select Uninstall device.
- Restart your PC; Windows will reinstall the default driver automatically.
Wrapping up..!
And that’s about it! Crackling, popping, and static audio on Windows 11 can result from a range of issues, including faulty drivers, wrong settings, or system power configurations. Thankfully, the solutions provided above cover all possible causes and help restore your sound to optimal quality.
Whether you’re troubleshooting after a system update or resolving an ongoing issue, applying these fixes should ensure a seamless audio experience. Try them one by one, and you’ll likely find the solution that works best for your system.
