Windows 10: Realtek soundcard crackling. Flipping between 'Audio Enhancements Off' and 'Device Default...

The Realtek soundcard on my Windows 11 HP laptop started making a crackling sound a couple of months back, probably after some software update or other. Now, no matter whether I roll back the Nov 2024 Realtek driver or reinstall, I get crackling. The solution offered hereabouts is to turn 'Audio Enhancements' off, but I find that turning them off or turning 'Device Default Effects' back on gives me about 30 seconds respite before the crackling starts again.Is there any solution or is the entire laptop now useless for sound?

:)

 

realtek audio driver make crackling sound

hello, i have windows 11 home

this problem caused by realtek audio driver(i think), lately my laptop make crackling sound from speaker / headphone when playing sound, the crackling sound happen randomly i playing an audio . after pausing the audio for a while and start to play the sound again the crackling sound is gone, but it happen again after playing the sound again for a minute. i trying to change the sound configuration from the control panel and it does nothing, the crackling sound happen randomy again again. so i tried to switching the driver from the realtek audio driver to high definition audio device. the crackling sound is gone but im still wanna use the realtek driver and the realtek audio driver have a better sound.

Note: i already reinstal the driver by installing from acer oficial website and the crackling sound still happen

my device: acer swift 3 sf314-41 ryzen 5 3500u

 

Problem with audio devices

Hi Marcello,

I appreciate you for trying some steps in order to get the issue resolved.

If you're connecting to an audio device using USB or HDMI, you might need to set that device as the default.

Open Start, enter Sound, select it from the list of results, and then, on the
Playback tab, select a device, then Set Default.

I would also suggest you to turn off Audio enhancements.

• 
  Go to Start, enter Sound, and select Sound Control Panel
  from the list of results.
  
• 
  On the Playback tab, right-click (or tap and hold) the
  Default Device and select Properties.
  
• 
  On the Enhancements tab, select the Disable all enhancements
  check box and try to play your audio device.
  
• 
  If that doesn't work, select Cancel and, on the Playback
  tab, select another default device (if you have one), select the Disable all enhancements check box, and try to play audio again. Do this for each default device.
  

Please revert if you face any issues with Audio.

Thank you.

 

Audio stuttering after wake

Hi, ShimmyW

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.



Knowing that you have problems with your audio after waking up from sleep, you can try the following suggestions:



1. Check for Hardware Conflicts:

• Open Device Manager.
  
• Expand the “System devices” category.
  
• Look for any devices with yellow exclamation marks or error messages.
  
• If you find any conflicts, try disabling or uninstalling the conflicting devices.
  

2. Test with External Audio Device:

• Connect an external audio device, such as headphones or speakers, to the computer.
  
• If the audio stuttering persists, it suggests a problem with the Realtek audio device or its drivers.
  

3. Disable Audio Enhancements:

• Go to Control Panel > Sound.
  
• Select the Realtek audio device as the playback device.
  
• Click on the “Properties” button.
  
• Go to the “Enhancements” tab.
  
• Uncheck all the enhancement options.
  

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, contact Gigabyte support for further assistance. They may be able to provide additional troubleshooting steps or replace the audio device if necessary.

Best Regards

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist