Inspiron 15-7???, buzzing/crackling sound on gaming

Thank you @sofistek! Removing smartbytes solved the problem

I had the exact same problem. A cracking interference-like sound whenever anything played. MAN; YOU ARE A LIFESAVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LONG LIVE TO YOU SIR!

Thank You!

Uninstalling the "Smartbyte software application" absolutely helped.

It's amazing to me that almost 4 months from this original post, this issue is still going on, and Dell is still pushing this stuff. I just got this update on or around the 13th.  I was never affected before. 

Now I can listen Spotify again!

Thanks for this info, it really helped. Appreciate the effort you put in - "I updated or reinstalled every single driver, BIOS, even tried latest drivers from Intel, Realtek, switched to native microsoft hd audio drivers, messing with power saving settings - but nothing helped." - because us fellow users benefited from your contribution.

I've been having the crackling sound issue for a couple weeks. I called Dell support and they sent a tech out to my home the next day and replaced my speakers and was still having the same problem. The tech said he was going to come back the next day and replace the mother board which is still under warranty. After Googling the issue I found this You Tube video  -

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@zhan2204 wrote:

hi, 
i just bought my laptop for 2 weeks..

experiencing buzzing/crackling soudn whenever i played audio.
it happens on both speakers and on plug in headsets.

i believe its software problem, just now sure what it is.

have try disabling dell diag controller device.
disable and uninstalling realtek drivers. restart. updating audio drivers. 
didnt work for me. 

what else can i try?

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB3lbTm3PYc  

same problem here and watched this video and now the crackling is gone!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB3lbTm3PYc and followed his advice about uninstalling the SmatWare  app and now the cracking is completely gone!

Hi,

It happened to me also. I tried to uninstall SmarByte but it doesn't allow me to do it, my antivirus is detecting something and sending it to quarantine, it's weird.

I tried only turning off SmartByte and it seems it stopped. But I want to know if someone else had the same problem with the antivirus.

Thank you all!!

IF SOMEONE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. YOU ONLY NEED TO DEACTIVATE THE ANTIVIRUS WHILE YOU ARE UNINSTALLING IT.

thanks to your awesome solution to this problem it truly solved the issue  that i was shaving with the speakers.

Had the same problem with the Dell G7. After uninstalling SmartBytes and rebooting the crackling went away.  Thank you!

Hi!

Very well done!

Something to obvious at all!

A terrific thank you!

From an IT old pro!

Easiest way to fix it- You DON'T have to delete any drivers or Smartbyte all you have to do is open the app Services and then find SmartByte Network Services, right click on it and press properties, stop the service and then disable it and problem solved.

This solution works with the 7560 too - thank you.

Hi there,

thx for your help - Smartbyte software unistalled and sound on my Dell Inspiron 7566 is perfect again ;-). I spent 1 day with reinstalling of all around "sound"...

MARTIN