The crackling sound in Windows 10 can seem really irritating. But you can fix it effortlessly using the tried and tested fixes shared in this article.

Nothing can be more annoying than crackling or popping sounds when playing audio on the computer. However, if you are experiencing such a situation, there is no need to fret.

Through this article, we are going to introduce you to the best possible solutions to speaker crackling and popping sounds on Windows 10.

But before we jump to fix the Windows 10 audio crackling and popping problem, let’s talk a little bit about its causes. If you know the answer to the question “why does my computer make a crackling sound,” it is a cakewalk to fix the problem.

Why does PC make a crackling sound in Windows 10?

Below are the most common reasons you get the annoying crackling and popping sound in Windows 10.

• Connection problems
• Outdated sound drivers
• Incorrect audio format
• Wrong power settings
• Sound enhancement issues

These were a few top culprits behind Windows 10 audio crackling. Now, let’s learn how to fix them.

Fixes for crackling sound in Windows 10

It is undoubtedly irritating to hear the PC or laptop speakers crackling or making a popping sound in Windows 10. However, you can use the below fixes to solve the problem easily.

Fix 1: Check the connection

Many times, the speaker is not connected to the computer correctly, resulting in audio crackling on Windows 10. Therefore, before trying the complex fixes, first unplug and replug the speaker to rule out the connection problem. After reconnecting the speaker, you should also try these simple hacks to check whether they solve the problem.

• Try using your audio device on another computer. If it works fine on the other computer, you need to check the equipment’s cable for damages.
• Unplug the audio equipment from the current headphone port and plug it in the other one (your PC has headphone ports at the back). If it does not solve the problem or your computer has only one headphone port, get a USB to headphone jack adapter to fix the issue.

Fix 2: Make changes to the audio format

Audio formats with too high or low frequencies can also cause crackling sound in Windows 10. Thus, you can change the sound format to fix the problem. Below are the steps to make these changes.

• Right-click the taskbar’s speaker icon and choose Playback devices from the context menu.
• Make two clicks on the default playback device (its icon has green checkmarks).
• After the Speaker Properties appear, navigate to the Advanced tab.
• Choose 16 bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality) from the Default Format dropdown menu.
• Click on OK. 
• Check whether Windows 10 makes popping sounds or not. If you hear the speaker crackling or popping, change the audio format again and keep changing it till the irritating sound disappears.

Fix 3: Update the sound driver (Recommended)

Windows 10 audio popping is mainly caused by outdated sound drivers. If the sound drivers are out-of-date, Windows and the audio equipment fail to communicate with each other correctly. And, this results in many problems including the one you are experiencing.

Therefore, updating the sound driver is the solution we recommend the most. You can update the driver using traditional ways (Device Manager/manufacturer’s website) or automatically with a smart program (for instance, Bit Driver Updater).

We find it more convenient and safe to update the driver automatically using the favorite driver updater of millions, i.e., Bit Driver Updater.

Bit Driver Updater updates drivers with just one click automatically. In addition to this, it also offers multiple useful features, like scheduled scanning, driver backups and restores option, faster driver downloads, etc.

You can click on the link below to download and install the software to know all its amazing features.

Once you have downloaded and installed the software, here are the steps you need to take to download the updated drivers.

• Wait for a couple of seconds to view the scan results.
• Update All drivers to their most latest version.
  

If you want to perform only the sound driver update, Bit Driver Updater lets you do that too. All you need to do is make a click on Update Now.

However, to make your computer perform the best, it is always a better idea to update each flagged driver.

Fix 4: Remove audio enhancements

Audio enhancements in Windows 10 are intended to improve the sound quality. However, they sometimes do the exact opposite. A few times, audio enhancements become a reason for speaker crackling sound in Windows 10. Thus, you can disable these enhancements to fix the issue. Here are the directions to do it.

• Make a right-click on the sound icon and choose Playback devices. 
• Perform a click on your default playback device and select Properties. 
• Navigate to the Enhancement tab and Disable all enhancements. 
• Apply the changes and click OK to save them.
  

Fix 5: Make changes to the power settings

A few power settings may cause the audio crackling sound in Windows 10. Thus, below is how to check and correct the power settings.

• Search for and open Power Options.
  
  
• Change plan settings of your current plan.
  
• Change advanced power settings. 
• Find and click on Processor power management. 
• Click on Minimum processor rate and make its Setting (%) 100. 
• Apply the changed settings and select OK to save them.
  

Fix 6: Disable spatial sound

Spatial sound gives a three-dimensional theatre-like experience. But at the same time, it is also responsible for popping speakers in Windows 10. Therefore, you need to disable it. You can use these steps to perform this task.

• Search for and launch the Control Panel.
  
• Change the view to Small or Large icons.
• Click on the Sound option.
  
• Right-click on the current sound device and pick Properties from the on-screen menu.
• Navigate to the Spatial sound tab.
• Click on the Spatial sound format box and choose Off from the dropdown menu.
• Click on the OK button to save the changes you have made.

Fix 7: Turn off the exclusive mode

Windows 10’s Exclusive Mode lets a single application get complete control of your sound device so that other applications cannot use it simultaneously. It hampers the working of your speakers and causes crackling sound in Windows 10. Therefore, below is how to turn it off to fix the Windows 10 audio popping.

• Bring up the Control Panel on the screen (you can use Windows search to do it).
• Change the Control Panel’s view to Large or Small icons.
• Select Sound from the available options.
• Right-click on your sound device and go to its Properties. 
• Open the Advanced tab and uncheck the box to Allow Exclusive applications. 
• Apply the changes and click on OK to keep them.
  

Fix 8: Perform sound troubleshooting

You can use your computer’s in-built troubleshooter to fix the crackling sound in Windows 10. Below are the steps to do it.

• Right-click on the taskbar’s speaker icon. 
• Choose Troubleshoot sound problems.
  

Crackling sound in Windows 10 fixed

Through this friendly guide, we learned how to fix the speaker crackling or popping sound in Windows 10. You can try all the fixes one-by-one or directly use Bit Driver Updater to update drivers to fix this problem instantly.

If you know other more effective ways to fix popping audio on Windows 10, feel free to spread your knowledge through the comments section.

For more tech guides like this, be sure to check Innovana Blog regularly.