XPS 9570 audio crackling/stuttering - DPC Latency

[neutrino]

Hello there,

I've had an audio issue with my XPS since I bought it. I had abandoned finding a solution until I recently decided to look again and stumbled upon this forum.
Everything I've been able to find so far points to a DPC latency issue but haven't found a solution.

I hope we can find a solution together.


Posting instruction questions:

• System Manufacturer: Dell
• Laptop or Desktop: Laptop
• Exact model number: XPS 9570
• OS: Windows 10 Pro
• x64 (64bit)
• Service pack?
• What was original installed OS on system: Windows 10 Pro
• Is the OS an OEM version (came pre-installed on system) or full retail version (YOU purchased it from retailer): OEM version
• Age of system: 1 year and 6 months
• Age of OS installation: 1 year and 6 months
• Have you re-installed the OS: No
• CPU: i5-8300H
• RAM: Crucial 32GB kit (16GBx2) DDR4 2666MT/s (PC4-21300) DR x8 SODIMM – installed on two slots (0 slots remaining)
• Video Card: Intel Integrated UHD Graphics 630
• MotherBoard – N/A
• Power Supply - brand & wattage N/A
• Is driver verifier enabled or disabled? Not sure
• What security software are you using? Kaspersky Free (running at startup, CCleaner (running at startup), Malwarebytes (installed and not running at startup – run every 6 months or so)
• Are you using proxy, vpn, ipfilters or similar software: Yes, NordVPN
• Are you using Disk Image tools? (like daemon tools, alcohol 52% or 120%, virtual CloneDrive, roxio software): No
• Are you currently under/overclocking? Are there overclocking software installed on your system? No modification made to clock speeds and no overclocking software installed.

Link to zipped trace.etl, msinfo32.nfo and DxDiag.txt:
DPC Latency Help Files.zip

System information from Speccy:
http://speccy.piriform.com/results/6dABfdbFIWHBopV2274dqcr

Edit: grammar

 

[Sysnative Windows Update]

Hi!

Please start by updating your BIOS to the latest version and temporarily uninstalling NordVPN.

Support for XPS 15 9570 | Drivers & Downloads | Dell US

 

[neutrino]

I just did that. It did not seem to improve the audio issue.

Trace.etl, msinfo32.nfo and DxDiag Version 2:
DPC Latency Help Files V.2.zip

 

[Vezovi]

Have you tried MSI mode on realtek audio?

 

[neutrino]

Have you tried MSI mode on realtek audio?

Could you be more specific? I wasn't able to find any MSI mode in the Realtek audio properties.

 

[Vezovi]

This thread link

 

[neutrino]

I just checked the MSI mode. It was already set to 1. Would you suggest to turn it off (value of 0)?

 

[Vezovi]

You can try, but i don't think its gonna work. If it doesn't, switch back to 1.

 

[neutrino]

You can try, but i don't think its gonna work. If it doesn't, switch back to 1.

I turned it off. It didn't yield any results. And then I turned it back on again. No changes in the situation.

 

[neutrino]

I've tried uninstalling Kaspersky and Malwarebytes. That, however, didn't improve the situation.

 

[xilolee]

Hi.

Try the following command from an elevated command prompt (also known as "command prompt ran as an administrator" or command prompt (admin)) and post its result here:

sfc /scannow

(It could last from 10 to 50 minutes, usually)