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9 Ways to Fix Crackling Audio in Windows 11

Clear audio is necessary when you’re listening to music, watching a movie, or playing a game on your Windows 11 PC. But if you can hear a consistent crackle coming from your speakers or headphones, it can really put a damper on your enjoyment. Luckily, you can easily fix the issue with a little know-how.

Below, we’ll go through nine troubleshooting steps to help you get to the bottom of the crackling audio issue in Windows 11.

1. Rule Out a Faulty Connection or Device (for External Sound Devices)

First, let’s look at something that is not a Windows fault.

You should first ensure that you’ve attached the cable properly between the Windows 11 computer and audio device. Also, check the cable and ensure that it doesn’t have any problems, such as cut wires or corrosion. Another thing you can try is connecting another cable to the computer and output device and see if that gets rid of the crackling audio.

Once you rule out issues with the cable, you should check to see if the audio device isn't faulty. Connect it to a computer, TV, stereo, or other audio-playing device and see if it still makes the crackling noise. If it turns out that the audio device is the problem, consider getting it fixed or replaced.

2. Turn Off Signal Interrupters (for Bluetooth Sound Devices)

If you’re using a Bluetooth speaker or headset and there are other signal emitters within the same spectrum, their interference can cause crackling audio. Examples of such devices include Wi-Fi routers, microwave ovens, and baby monitors.

Try turning them off and see if the crackling sounds disappear.

3. Try Restarting Windows 11

Before you start fiddling with your Windows 11 settings, you must first restart your computer. Sometimes, doing this can fix many problems, including crackling sounds from your speakers.

To restart a Windows 11 machine, follow the below steps:

  • Click on Start on the Taskbar.
  • Click on Power on the bottom right.
  • Click on Restart from the list of options.

    • 4. Run the Audio Troubleshooter

    If restarting your PC didn’t fix the issue, it’s time to bring out the audio troubleshooter. This handy tool will scan all your playback devices for potential problems and help you resolve any that it finds.

    Running the audio troubleshooter is extremely easy. Here’s how to do it.

  • Right-click the speaker icon on the right side of the Taskbar and select Troubleshoot sound problems.
  • The troubleshooter will detect all your output devices and then ask you to choose which one you want to troubleshoot. Select the problematic playback device’s radial button and then click on Next.
  • The troubleshooter will scan the device for problems and offer potential solutions. For example, in the screenshot below, Windows suggests that disabling audio enhancements, which we'll discuss later, can help.

    • 5. Update or Reinstall Your Audio Drivers

    A missing, corrupted, or outdated sound driver could be why you’re experiencing crackling audio. Updating or reinstalling it can fix the issue in this regard.

    Follow the below steps to update an audio driver in Windows 11:

  • Press Window + R to open the Windows Run dialogue box.
  • Open Device Manager by typing “devmgmt.msc” in the text box and clicking OK.
  • Expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click the audio device, and select Update driver.
  • Then click on Search automatically for drivers for Windows to search for the latest drivers and install any that it finds.

    • To reinstall a sound driver:

  • Press Win + R to open Windows Run.
  • Open Device Manager by typing “devmgmt.msc” in the text box and clicking OK.
  • Expand Sound, video and game controllers, right-click the audio device and select Uninstall device.
  • Restart your computer. Windows 11 will try to reinstall the audio device and its driver when it reboots.

    • 6. Uninstall the Latest Windows 11 Update

    If the audio starts crackling after installing the latest Windows 11 update, perhaps uninstalling it can fix it.

    Here’s how to uninstall an update in Windows 11:

  • Right-click Start on the Taskbar and click Settings > Windows Update > Update History (under More options).
  • Scroll down and click on Uninstall Updates under Related settings.
  • Right-click on the latest update in the Microsoft Windows category and click Uninstall.
  • Windows will ask if you’re sure you want to uninstall the update, so click Yes.

    • 7. Disable Sound Enhancements

    Windows 11 has a built-in feature that can enhance the sound quality coming out from your speakers. However, a glitch can occur during audio enhancement, causing the crackling noise you're hearing.

    To disable audio enhancements in Windows 11, follow these steps:

  • Right-click the speaker icon on the right side of the Taskbar and select Sound settings.
  • Scroll down to the Advanced section and click on All sound devices.
  • In the Output devices section, click on the sound device producing the crackling audio.
  • Under Output settings, locate the Enhance audio option and set the toggle to Off (if it’s on).

    • 8. Change the Audio Format

    When your playback device uses the wrong format, you can get crackling sounds. You should try lowering or increasing the quality to see if that gets rid of the problem.

    Here’s how to change the sound format on your Windows 11 computer:

  • Right-click Start on the Taskbar and head to Settings > System > Sound.
  • Click on All sound devices in the Advanced section of the sound settings.
  • Click on the problematic playback device under Output devices.
  • In the Output settings section, click on the dropdown next to Format and select a different audio quality setting.
  • Click Test on the left of the Format dropdown to hear if the crackle is gone. If not, pick a different format and keep testing until you find one that resolves the problem.

    • 9. Restore or Reset Your Windows 11 Installation

    When all else fails, it’s time to take drastic measures and restore or reset Windows 11. Please read our guides on creating and using a system restore point and factory resetting the OS. If any of those options don’t work, consider reinstalling Windows 11.

    No More Crackling Audio in Windows 11

    When you’re getting crackling audio in Windows 11, it can ruin your enjoyment of entertainment on your computer. Luckily, you can troubleshoot the problem and get a crystal clear sound again with the steps listed above. And if they don’t work, try replacing the audio device if it’s external or calling in a hardware professional if it’s built-in.

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