Annoying crackling, popping, or static sounds coming from your speakers? These proven fixes solve most Windows audio quality problems.

What's Causing the Audio Crackling?

You're listening to music, watching a video, or in a call, and suddenly you hear crackling, popping, or static sounds interrupting the audio. This frustrating problem makes everything sound terrible and can even hurt your ears. The good news? Audio crackling is rarely a hardware problem—it's usually caused by audio enhancements, outdated drivers, or power management settings that can be fixed in minutes.

Quick Fix: Disable Audio Enhancements

Audio enhancements are the most common cause of crackling and popping sounds. Here's how to turn them off:

Right-click the speaker icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner)
Select Sound settings
Under Output, click your speakers or headphones
Scroll down to Audio enhancements
Select Off from the dropdown menu
Test your audio immediately

If the crackling stops, audio enhancements were the culprit. If it continues, proceed with the detailed fixes below.

🔧Detailed Step-by-Step Fixes

Solution 1: Update Audio Drivers

Outdated or corrupted audio drivers frequently cause crackling and popping:

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager
Expand Sound, video and game controllers
Right-click your audio device (usually "Realtek High Definition Audio" or similar)
Select Update driver
Choose Search automatically for drivers
If Windows doesn't find anything, visit your PC manufacturer's website
Download the latest audio driver for your specific model
Install it and restart your computer

Manufacturer-specific drivers often work much better than Windows' generic drivers.

Solution 2: Change Audio Format

The wrong audio format can cause popping and crackling sounds:

Right-click the speaker icon and select Sound settings
Scroll down and click More sound settings (opens Control Panel)
On the Playback tab, double-click your speakers/headphones
Click the Advanced tab
Under Default Format, try changing to 16 bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality)
Click Apply, then OK
Test your audio

If that doesn't work, try other formats like "16 bit, 48000 Hz" or "24 bit, 48000 Hz." Some audio hardware works better with specific formats.

Solution 3: Run the Audio Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in tool that can automatically detect and fix audio problems:

Press Windows + I to open Settings
Click System, then Troubleshoot
Click Other troubleshooters
Find Audio and click Run
Select the device with crackling audio
Follow the on-screen instructions and apply any recommended fixes

Solution 4: Disable Power Management for Audio

Windows tries to save power by reducing performance to your audio device, which causes crackling:

Open Device Manager
Expand Sound, video and game controllers
Right-click your audio device and select Properties
Click the Power Management tab (if available)
Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power
Click OK

Also do this for USB audio devices:

In Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers
Right-click each USB Root Hub and open Properties
Disable power management for each one

Solution 5: Increase Audio Buffer Size

If you use audio production software or certain applications, buffer size affects audio quality:

Open your audio software (DAW, streaming software, etc.)
Go to audio settings or preferences
Find Buffer Size or Latency settings
Increase the buffer to 512 or 1024 samples
Apply and test

For general Windows use, updating drivers usually handles buffer optimization automatically.

Solution 6: Check for Interference

Wireless interference can cause crackling in Bluetooth audio:

Move your Bluetooth device closer to your PC
Remove obstacles between your device and PC
Turn off nearby 2.4GHz devices (other Bluetooth devices, wireless mice, etc.)
Move your PC away from microwaves and routers

If That Didn't Work

Try these additional solutions:

Run System File Checker: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow to repair corrupted system files
Check for Windows updates: Go to Settings > Windows Update and install all available updates
Uninstall recent updates: If crackling started after an update, try uninstalling the most recent Windows update
Test with different speakers/headphones: This confirms whether the problem is your PC or audio hardware

📞When to Call a Professional

If crackling persists after trying all these solutions, you might have:

A failing sound card or motherboard audio chip
Electrical interference from inside your PC case
A faulty audio jack or port

Professional technicians can test with specialized equipment and replace faulty audio hardware if needed.

Audio Problems Persist?

Persistent crackling and popping can indicate hardware issues that require professional diagnosis. Our technicians can identify whether you need driver fixes or hardware replacement.

Geeks in Sneaks audio repair includes:

Complete audio system diagnostics
Driver optimization and installation
Hardware testing and replacement
Noise elimination and audio quality optimization

How to Fix Audio Crackling or Popping Sounds in Windows