Audio Crackling or Popping on Windows 11 How to Fix It

Audio Crackling or Popping on Windows 11: How to Fix It

Music and videos crackle, pop or stutter, or the sound drops out for a split second now and then. Crackling can come from the hardware (a cable, a jack or the speakers) or from Windows (enhancements, format, drivers, or a PC that's too busy). Work through these steps in order.

1. Find Out Where the Crackle Comes From

A quick test saves a lot of time:

1. Connect the same speakers or headphones to another device, such as a phone. If they crackle there too, the speakers, headphones or cable are the problem.
2. Try other speakers or headphones on the PC. If only one pair crackles, it's that pair.
3. Play audio from different apps (a video in the browser, a music app, a local file). If only one app crackles, update or reinstall that app.
4. Check whether it crackles all the time or only when the PC is busy (loading a game, opening many tabs). That points to step 8.

2. Check Cables, Jacks and Ports

• Wiggle the plug gently. If the sound cuts in and out, the cable or jack is worn - replace the cable or try another port.
• For wired speakers, check the power supply too - a loose power plug can cause hum and pops.
• For USB audio devices, plug straight into the PC (not a hub) and try another USB port.
• Keep audio cables away from power bricks and phone chargers, which can cause buzzing.

3. Turn Off Audio Enhancements

Enhancements (sound effects added by Windows or the maker) are a common cause. Microsoft suggests turning them off when sound is wrong.

1. Go to Settings > System > Sound.
2. Select your output device (speakers or headphones).
3. Set Audio enhancements to Off.
4. Also turn off Spatial sound on the same page if it's on.

Test the sound. If your PC has a maker's audio app (Dolby, Realtek, DTS, or the laptop maker's app), try turning its effects off there too.

4. Change the Audio Format (Sample Rate)

A format the device handles badly can cause crackles. Microsoft lists trying another format as a fix.

1. Go to Settings > System > Sound > More sound settings (or Control Panel > Sound).
2. On the Playback tab, select your device and choose Properties.
3. Go to the Advanced tab.
4. Under Default Format, pick another option - for example 24 bit, 48000 Hz or 16 bit, 44100 Hz.
5. Select Test, then OK if it sounds clean.

On the same tab, you can also try unticking Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device. Some apps change the format and cause pops.

5. Run the Audio Troubleshooter

Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and select Run next to Audio. On the newest versions of Windows 11 it opens in the Get Help app. Follow the steps and choose the device that crackles.

6. Update or Roll Back the Audio Driver

1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
3. Right-click your audio device and choose:
4. Update driver > Search automatically for drivers, or
5. Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver if the crackling started after an update.

The PC maker's support site often has a newer or better-matched audio driver for your exact model. Also check Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates. Avoid driver-updater tools - see how to update drivers in Windows 11 the safe way.

Graphics drivers matter too: HDMI and DisplayPort audio goes through the graphics driver, so update it if the crackle is on a monitor or TV's speakers.

7. Bluetooth Speakers and Headsets

Bluetooth audio crackles when the signal is weak or crowded:

• Move closer to the PC, with nothing solid in between.
• Disconnect other Bluetooth devices you're not using.
• Keep the Bluetooth adapter or dongle away from USB 3 ports and devices, which can interfere with 2.4 GHz signals.
• For music, choose the Stereo output, not Hands-Free. Hands-Free (used when the microphone is on) has much lower sound quality.
• Remove the device in Settings > Bluetooth & devices and pair it again.

For more, see Bluetooth headphones connected but no sound.

8. Crackles When the PC Is Busy

If the sound breaks up when the PC is under load, audio isn't getting processed on time.

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and check whether CPU, Memory or Disk is near 100% when it crackles.
2. Close heavy apps and browser tabs you don't need.
3. Plug a laptop into power and choose a higher-performance mode in Settings > System > Power & battery > Power mode.
4. Install pending updates in Settings > Windows Update.

If the disk is stuck at 100%, see 100 percent disk usage in Windows 11.

9. Restart the Audio Services

1. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
2. Right-click Windows Audio and choose Restart.
3. Do the same for Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.

Still Crackling?

If it crackles on every device you connect and after every fix above, the PC's audio hardware or port may be faulty. A cheap USB audio adapter or USB headset bypasses the built-in sound chip and is a good test. If there's no sound at all, see no sound on Windows 11.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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See Also:windows 11 audio sound