Audio popping / crackling sound at the start of some audio playback.

[ROGn7cpwawp0j1e]

I'm having an issue where certain sounds can have a very slight 'pop' effect right at the beginning of the sound being played. Most sounds in most games are unaffected, but it crops up here and there.This can happen when adjusting the system volume or when a system pop-up notification appears.

My computer system is Windows 10, and the speakers are Razer Nommo v2 connected to the computer via USB. The processor is a 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-13700K 3.40 GHz.

The RAM is 32.0 GB (31.7 GB available).

Storage includes a 932 GB Samsung SSD 980 PRO with Heatsink 1TB, a 466 GB Samsung SSD 980 PRO 500GB, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (24 GB), and a ROG Maximus Z790 Hero motherboard.

What do I even do about this?

[JohnAb]

I would be tempted to ensure that all of your drivers are up to date and that you have drivers for all devices. Have a look in Device Manager and see if any drivers are missing. 

In particular, have you installed audio drivers? In the past, I have found that audio drivers can cause more problems than they are worth and I just use the Microsoft ones nowadays. However, if you want the latest audio drivers for your board, then you can get them from MoKiChU here:

https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/downloads-for-motherboards/drivers-realtek-usb-audio-amd-5xx-6xx-8xx-a...

I believe the drivers you need are: Realtek USB Audio Drivers (UAD - ASUS ROG SS3-DTS)

Make sure you follow the instructions carefully and hopefully these drivers will fix the popping issue. It's a good place to start anyway. 

[ROGn7cpwawp0j1e]

Thank you so much for your suggestion！

I've tried many different audio drivers compatible with my motherboard over the past two weeks, but none of them have solved the problem. However, you mentioned that you're currently only using Microsoft drivers, which is something I haven't tried.

Could you please tell me how to use Microsoft audio drivers instead of Realtek's?

[JohnAb]

I reinstall Windows 11 approx. once a year to keep it lean and fast (it always grows in size and bloat, no matter how diligently I try and clean files). Hence, since I do not install any audio drivers, I am left with the Microsoft ones.

I would try two things:

1. Remove your audio package in Control Panel (Programs and Features)

2. Download and use 'Driver Store Explorer' and run it in admin mode to remove your current audio drivers. It's easy to use, but be careful with it. Watch some YouTube videos first so you know how it works. 

Hopefully one of those methods will leave you with the plain old vanilla MS drivers

[JohnAb]

You might also find this program helpful. I've used it in the past, even though I didn't have any issues. However, it might help you to see if latency issues might be the problem...

https://www.resplendence.com/latencymon

[JohnAb]

On the LatencyMon page, it says this:

1. "Windows is not a real-time operating system. All requests to the operating system are delivered on a best effort basis. There are no guarantees whatsoever that requests are delivered within a certain time frame, which are the characteristics of a real-time operating system. That is not a problem for most devices and tasks but this is bad news for audio applications (which are considered soft real-time) because they need to deliver data to the subsystem and the hardware in buffers several times per second. If one or more buffers miss their deadlines and are not delivered in time it has audible consequences which are recognized as dropouts, clicks and pops."

[ROGn7cpwawp0j1e]

Thank you so much for recommending the latency testing tool. I think I've found the reason for the static in the audio. This is how it's displayed on the LatencyMon page.My highest interrupt latency seems to be slightly outside the normal range.

[ROGn7cpwawp0j1e]

This is the result I got after running helldivers2 for about 14 minutes.

[SUNWAVE_]

More important.   If you are Spidif RCA out ANYWHERE in your office. Throw away your rca cable and buy a new quality one. I am on Z690 and use a https://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blasterx-ae-5-plus  in the bottom slot. Windows 11 and use the optical cable. I dont think i experience and start up pop or feed back problem anymore on high quality logitech dts surround system. 

Windows 10 users have reported this kind of symptom when the os is not stable and needs rebooted or updated. Just something i have noticed over the years. it might be a timing or connection quality problem with the signal. 

[JohnAb]

I also use digital audio and have never had a problem with popping. No idea if USB audio is more prone to this.