Audio Crackling/Popping (All steps tried listed)

O

ohioisonfire

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2020
Posts
12
Hello!

I have been having the worst time with this audio popping/crackling and I am here because I found you through a web search. I am very deep in the rabbit hole and I am hoping this is where it comes to a close. I will provide you as much detail as I can remember because I have been tosslin' with this cruel mistress for awhile now. I started noticing this a few months back.

My computer specs:
CPU: Intel i7 10700k @ 3.2GHz
RAM: G.Skill TridentZ RGB 16gb (4 x 8GB) 288 pin DDR4
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z490 Gaming X
GPU: Foundeds edition 2080 TI
SSD: Samsung EVO 970 m.2 SSD

Hardware:

  1. Tried multiple different speakers/headset, tested with other computers (no popping)

Software(firmware??)
  1. Checked for anti-virus causing it
  2. LatencyMon
    1. Files attached, said it could be throttling, 1 or more DPC routines that belong to a driver running in your system, check for bios updates
  3. Disabled Throttling by;
    1. Task manager (details show column Power throttling)
    2. Power Settings (all have been set to performance)
    3. Registry
    4. Bios
  4. Bios updates:
    1. Bios currently running on most recent firmware
  5. "Disable all sound effects"
    1. I tried this and it did not prevent the issue. I am currently running an amp/dac setup and have an equalizer that relies on having that option enabled.
  6. I also ran all the steps up until where Windows Resource Protetection found Corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them

Contents of File

  1. Latencymon diagnostics results
  2. SFCdata
  3. SFCFix
  4. SFCFix-data
  5. The entire CBS file

I also followed all the requirements prior to posting. Really hoping that someone can resolve this because it really bothers me :(


Resources:
Power Throttling Instructions Followed: Managing Power Throttling on Windows 10
[SOLVED] - High DPC latency and popping noises


I apologize if I am missing any details I would be happy to provide them. I just spent the last 10 hours coding so my brain is a little fried.

Thank you for taking the time to read this!
 
Last edited:
I am sorry, I checked this from my phone and didn't see the instructions you posted! I am working on completing these steps and I will reply.

I didn't come across these instructions in my research, thank you!
 
I'd start updating these red ones:
  1. samsung NVMe Driver, Version 3.3 (it could replace MS stornvme driver)
  2. samsung Magician Software, Version 6.2.1 (it checks your ssd firmware)
  3. Intel Serial I/O driver seems to be outdated (from MoBo support)
    Current: not sure, Mar 18 2019
    Newer: 3‎0.100.2020.7, 2‎020/06/16
  4. Intel INF installation ??? (from MoBo support)
    Current: unsure
    Newer: 1‎0.1.18383.8213, 2‎020/06/16
  5. Intel Management Engine Firmware seems to be outdated (from MoBo support)
    Current: 1952.14.0000.1470, Jan 12 2020
    Newer: 2‎020.14.0.1600, 2‎020/06/16
  6. Intel Rapid Storage Technology seems to be outdated (from MoBo support)
    Current: 1‎7.8.0.1065, 2‎020/05/11
    Newer: 1‎7.9.0.1007, 2‎020/06/16
    (it could be the version won't be changed because this new version says it's for Win10 v2004 - v20h2)
  7. Asus PCE-AC88 802.11ac (wifi) Network driver: not sure. (from product support)
    Product webpage says ASUS PCE-AC88 utility 2.8.0.7, 2018/04/13
    msinfo32 says BCMPCIEDHD63.SYS, 1.558.48.0, feb 28 2018
  8. Windows can be updated
  9. Audio driver can be updated, if windows will be updated
    It seems current for windows current version (from MoBo support)
  10. bios updated (from MoBo support)
  11. graphics driver updated (from NVIDIA)
 
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I'm not sure if it is present still. I was running LatencyMon in the background and it was still saying that the DPC routine execution times were taking too long still and pointed to

ACPI.sys - ACPI Driver for NT, Microsoft Corporation)

I haven't personally heard the audio pop yet.

When I tried to repeat the reports, gave me an error from NT Kernel Logger and said "Cannot create a file when that file already exists. (0xb7)

Do I need to delete the first trace I did off my computer and redo it, or do I just skip this step to get a new set of reports? Apologies for lack of understanding! Thank you so much for all of your help so far!
 
Today is the first day that I am getting the issue, but it does appear to be back. I will provide new tests from the ones that you provided earlier. Hope to have this done by EOD
 
Your trace seems empty.
Let's try to get a new trace with this command:
Code: 
wpr -start audio
As soon as the audio issue appears, run this command to stop the trace:
Code: 
wpr -stop "%userprofile%\desktop\audio.etl"
 
xilolee said:
Your trace seems empty.
Let's try to get a new trace with this command:
Code: 
wpr -start audio
As soon as the audio issue appears, run this command to stop the trace:
Code: 
wpr -stop "%userprofile%\desktop\audio.etl"
Click to expand...
Hi Xilo!

Long time no talk, I was somehow able to get it to go away temporarily through a new version of windows. However, I was having a screen flickering issue, had to wipe, and then it came back in this new windows.

I am working on the trace right now but wanted to provide you with the folder from one of the first steps.


I didn't know it existed, but I ended up getting Driver Easy and updating my stuff is so easy now, it was so frustrating before lol.

I super appreciate your help!
 

Attachments

Hi!

It's not a good practice to update drivers with that kind of programs.
You can use their "outdated driver lists" as suggestions to search the updated drivers in your components manufacturers websites.
If possible, revert the changes you made (using system restore or a system image).

Did you change your motherboard?
MS system information says you are now using ASUS ROG STRIX Z490-E GAMING (bios 2301, the latest).
Please try to:
- Remove all (g.skill?) rgb software.
- Next step, if the previous didn't work, is to remove all asus software (except the asus Wlan card software, if you are using it).
 
Last edited:
xilolee said:
Hi!

It's not a good practice to update drivers with that kind of programs.
You can use their "outdated driver lists" as suggestions to search the updated drivers in your components manufacturers websites.
If possible, revert the changes you made (using system restore or a system image).

Did you change your motherboard?
MS system information says you are now using ASUS ROG STRIX Z490-E GAMING (bios 2301, the latest).
Please try to:
- Remove all (g.skill?) rgb software.
- Next step, if the previous didn't work, is to remove all asus software (except the asus Wlan card software, if you are using it).
Click to expand...
I don't have time to individually chase these drivers down, I'm sorry. This issue isn't my full time job.

I'm not going to undo the changes from driver easy. I tried your way and was rewarded with hours of headaches.
Just forget I told you about driver easy. I'm not going to argue about it.


I thought getting help would be more than just blaming programs....
 
xilolee said:
Hi!

It's not a good practice to update drivers with that kind of programs.
You can use their "outdated driver lists" as suggestions to search the updated drivers in your components manufacturers websites.
If possible, revert the changes you made (using system restore or a system image).

Did you change your motherboard?
MS system information says you are now using ASUS ROG STRIX Z490-E GAMING (bios 2301, the latest).
Please try to:
- Remove all (g.skill?) rgb software.
- Next step, if the previous didn't work, is to remove all asus software (except the asus Wlan card software, if you are using it).
Click to expand...
I uninstalled all of the Asus things I could. It would not let me uninstall the Asus motherboard, it would pretend it's working and then do nothing.

Could you please help me understand why we are going through lists of programs? Otherwise it is just going to continue to get more and more frustrating.

I don't see anything on my comptuer that is GSKill, could you please tell me what you are referencing?
 

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