Most of the time, you’ll find that the issue lies with the hardware. However, some software issues can also result in crackling audio coming from your speakers. By changing settings in Windows, you may be able to resolve this annoying issue.
Here are some ways to fix crackling audio in Windows 10.
1. Preliminary Fixes
Before you start tinkering with your system, it’s a good idea to run some preliminary checks to rule out some fundamental hardware issues.
Unplug and Replug the Crackling Device
Unplugging and replugging your device can eliminate the possibility of temporary failure caused by one-time interference. If your device starts working again after replugging, you should check your audio jack for corrosion, blockage, and wear. If the crackling doesn’t go away and there doesn’t seem to be any damage on the hardware, move on to the next steps.
Inspect Your Hardware
Check your output device, and the connection leads for possible partial breakage that may reveal the fault causing the audio crackling. If you’re connecting a wireless device, make sure it’s connected properly. If possible, reconnect it to eliminate the chance of interference causing audio crackling.
Test Your Hardware With Other Devices
Besides checking for physical damage, input ports are another possible culprit. Consider plugging your device into another port on the same computer or into a different machine (if possible).
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If the device works without crackling on another computer, your computer’s port is the problem. Plugging another headphone into the same port of the same machine that is causing your audio to crackle will confirm this.
Test A Different Audio Device on the Same Computer
If you have a spare pair of headphones, connect them and see if the crackling persists. If the problem disappears after switching headphones, the original headphones are at fault. In this case, you should have it inspected by a technician.
If the crackling occurs with your speakers, try swapping them out with a spare pair. This may be easier said than done, especially if your speakers are built into your monitor. However, if you do have some spares around, give them a try.
If none of the preliminary fixes work, it’s time to implement some software changes.
2. Change the Minimum Processor State
The processor state refers to how much power the CPU will consume when performing a high-intensity task. If you have a low minimum processor state set, it can limit the power supply to your device’s audio output. In turn, this causes pops and crackles as your audio device struggles to stay powered on.
Follow the steps given below to change the minimum processor power state:
Press Win + S, type Control Panel, and open it. Click on Hardware and Sound and navigate to Power Options. Click on Change plan settings located adjacent to your already selected plan. Click on Change advanced power settings, and a new window will open up. Scroll down and locate Processor power management and expand the category. Then, expand the Minimum processor state category. Increase the setting to a higher value and test your device.
Note: On a few laptops, you may see two settings under the minimum processor state, namely “On battery: X%” and “Plugged in: X%.” Change both of these settings depending on your laptop’s current power state.
3. Update Your Sound Drivers
A dated sound driver can also adversely affect your audio input. Usually, updating the sound driver will restore the default sound settings, which can solve the problem of audio crackling/popping. Thus, consider updating the sound card driver before implementing other fixes as it may resolve the issue straight away.
To update the sound driver, follow these steps:
Go to your Windows desktop, right-click on This PC, and navigate to Manage. Select Device Manager from the left sidebar. Locate and expand the Sound, video, and game controllers category. Select your sound card and right-click on it, and navigate to Properties. Navigate to the Driver tab and click on Update Driver. Click on Search automatically for drivers, and the system will automatically find any new update if it is available.
Try changing the sound format if updating the driver doesn’t work.
4. Change the System’s Sound Format
Your computer’s sound format must be able to adjust to differing frequencies. If your audio device produces crackling sounds, it may not be compatible with the current sound format. Therefore, changing the sound format may help solve this annoying issue.
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To change the sound format in Windows 10, follow these steps:
Locate the speaker icon in the bottom right corner of the taskbar. Right-click on the speaker icon and go to Sound settings. Navigate to the Playback tab and right-click on your selected audio device. Go to your device’s Properties. Navigate to the Advanced tab of the Speaker Properties window. Set the Default Format to 16 bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality). Test your device to see if it works properly.
Note: Changing the default format to a different value will allow you to test multiple frequencies. Any format from the list may fix the audio crackling issue. So, try them all out.
5. Disable Any Active Audio Enhancements
Windows’ audio enhancement options are, usually, a helpful setting that improves the audio quality of your output devices.
In some cases, the selected sound quality may interfere with the built-in settings of the audio device, resulting in crackling sounds. Thus, disabling audio enhancements may help resolve the issue.
To disable the audio enhancement feature, follow these steps:
Right-click on the sound icon in the lower corner of the taskbar and go to Sound settings. Navigate to the Playback tab and right-click on your selected audio device. Go to your device’s Properties. Locate the Enhancements tab and check the Disable all enhancements box to turn off audio enhancements.
6. Disable Exclusive Mode
Windows’ exclusive mode allows applications to take exceptional control over the audio device while running. There is a possibility that your connected device is not compatible with the current setting, causing your audio to crackle.
You can disable exclusive mode by following the given steps:
Locate the speaker icon in the bottom right corner of the taskbar. Right-click on the speaker icon and go to Sound settings. Navigate to the Playback tab and right-click on your selected audio device. Go to your device’s Properties. Navigate to the Advanced tab in Speakers Properties and uncheck the “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device” check-box.
If you test your device again and it’s still crackly, your only option left is to get an adapter. Using an external sound card or a sound adapter will effectively eliminate all the problems caused by the Windows own sound card.
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Additionally, a different sound adapter will allow the device to run on new settings and help identify whether the problem is with the system or the device itself. However, it should be the last resort.
Make Your Audio Output Crystal Clear
Hopefully, these fixes will help you start listening to crystal clear audio again. Reinstalling sound drivers, checking for OS updates, resetting sound settings, or running the built-in troubleshooter are other options that may work if nothing else does.
Have you ever been stuck in an audio feedback loop with a microphone? To prevent this, you can stop live playback, use headphones, or place your microphone far away from your speakers.
