The only I have seen distorted sound was when playing some music which the processor was being speed limited. In my case if I opened a new window it would cause the distortion with the processor showing around .4 GHz.
Otherwise, you might see if you can find something in common with the crackling. Is it a certain type of audio or source? Is it only when something else happens? Basically I suppose is try to be aware of what your system is doing at these times..
It's definitely not when the CPU is high. It happened as I was writing this post. Only Spotify and Chrome are open, two tabs. Nothing intensive. As for whether it's all audio sources, I don't know. I would imagine it's not a Spotify issue. Possibly the MaxxAudio software? This software is always asking me what device I plugged into the headphone jack. Seems a bit unnecessary.
In any case, I would expect better from a £1000 piece of technology even if it's running Windows.
Well, you listening volume seems about normal. If it isn't by the processor running slow or overloaded, maybe something else is happening at the same time. I have seen folks have problems if they had a fluorescent light nearby. But if you can pin down any info as to when it happens or in relation to something, even software, it might help.
Try not running whatever you are running when it happens.
Other than that, newer drivers are all I can suggest.
If you check the Audio FAQ, and look at your model of XPS 13, whatever that might be, you may find something.
Keep in mind the source of the sound may also have a volume control. The combination determines how loud it is. Of course, it also depends on the playback device I have seen some folks on this forum which run the volume at 100%.
If 20% sounds really loud to you, you may have the source set too high and it is causing the crackling.
You don't use any third party audio software, since I have heard some types can overdrive the system.
Yeah, I understand that but the Max Audio Pro software that came preinstalled cannot be removed, apparently, as it's linked to the driver. Anyway, its own volume slider matches the Windows one. They're not independent of each other. The volume in spotify I have always set to max... as for YouTube etc, I've never needed to lower the volume. This does not seem like something I should have to do, especially not with a new product out of the box, with fully updated drivers and software.
To further elaborate on the problem, I would describe the audio as stuttering. Like you said, as if the computer were momentarily freezing... thought it is not.
Also, since updating the Realtek driver from their website, the AudioMax whatever it is software has been acting up and not long recognises my headphones as headphones, but rather "speakers", and the sound is awful. Turning off this "profile" removes all enhancement I guess, but without it... the audio is extremely dull. Honestly, I don't know what to make of that. I only know my 7 year old Vaio performed better.
Also it still stutters with the AudioMax thing off.
What is Dell's return policy and how does one get the ball rolling for that? I bought it through Amazon less than 28 days ago.
I would use Resource Monitor. Keep it open and if you see it and it only lasts for a second, try hitting the print screen button so you can try to pin down what process in the top window is doing it. It may take several tries to work down to the actual cause.
If it happens on a certain time period it is easier to catch it. Also, that means it is probably some type of Task which might show up in the task scheduler or something like mail which goes online. It could be some software updater among other things.
If you can get us a picture of the windows showing high CPU activity we might be able to trace it down. Starting with the top window and after setting the filter, go to one of the lower ones.
So after more usage this problem seems to be linked to Chrome. Using Edge has reduced the stutter; I can't say completely but perhaps close. Still having issues with a stutter when using Bluetooth earphones but... that's another thing.
I'm not sure if this is the same issue I was having, but I still periodically get crackling, distorted sound. Sometimes it will reoccur several times after I fix it within the same day and other times it's gone for days after I fix it. Originally the only way I knew of to make it go away was to restart the machine.
But if this is the issue I get then try this: Pause/turn off anything currently making sound, Searching windows and open Services, scroll down and click Windows Audio, and click Restart.It can be a pain to do if you have the issue a couple times in a single day, but it's the only thing I found that worked.
Okay I may have found a Fix for this issue and I tried nearly everything that's being suggested in nearly every thread I came across These include:
> Reinstalling the Realtek audio Drivers(Didn't work)
> Reverting back to the Windows Audio (The Sub woofer Didn't Work but the Audio Crackling got Fixed)
However See whether your laptop does this when its Connected to the internet.(You See I don't have these Audio latency issues when I'm not connected to the internet)
If that is the case Update then update the Network Drivers Specifically
Intel(R) Dual band Wireless-AC 3165
Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
and this method fixed my audio latency issues and I hope it may fix yours as well.
Thanks for taking the time to post Bearmanvish. Have experienced issue for some time and updating Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller worked for me. Strangely had not seen this mentioned anywhere before. Appreciate it.
Hey I fixed all my crackling, speed issues by downloading driver booster and updating all the drivers. There were 30 drivers that were old. Then I used the same series of programs (advanced systemcare) to boost the speed. everything works perfect now and it was faster than before. Just my 2 cents. I think it's old drivers. FYI yes I checked the drivers on my own and yes I disc clean and defrag all the time and yes I tried repairing and restoring, nothing worked but this.
Saltgrass
4 Operator
•
4.3K Posts
0
August 9th, 2017 08:00
The only I have seen distorted sound was when playing some music which the processor was being speed limited. In my case if I opened a new window it would cause the distortion with the processor showing around .4 GHz.
Otherwise, you might see if you can find something in common with the crackling. Is it a certain type of audio or source? Is it only when something else happens? Basically I suppose is try to be aware of what your system is doing at these times..
SolidSnake35
1 Rookie
•
36 Posts
1
August 9th, 2017 11:00
It's definitely not when the CPU is high. It happened as I was writing this post. Only Spotify and Chrome are open, two tabs. Nothing intensive. As for whether it's all audio sources, I don't know. I would imagine it's not a Spotify issue. Possibly the MaxxAudio software? This software is always asking me what device I plugged into the headphone jack. Seems a bit unnecessary.
In any case, I would expect better from a £1000 piece of technology even if it's running Windows.
SolidSnake35
1 Rookie
•
36 Posts
0
August 13th, 2017 19:00
So can I get help with this from staff or....?
Saltgrass
4 Operator
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4.3K Posts
0
August 13th, 2017 21:00
Well, you listening volume seems about normal. If it isn't by the processor running slow or overloaded, maybe something else is happening at the same time. I have seen folks have problems if they had a fluorescent light nearby. But if you can pin down any info as to when it happens or in relation to something, even software, it might help.
Try not running whatever you are running when it happens.
Other than that, newer drivers are all I can suggest.
If you check the Audio FAQ, and look at your model of XPS 13, whatever that might be, you may find something.
Saltgrass
4 Operator
•
4.3K Posts
0
August 14th, 2017 12:00
Keep in mind the source of the sound may also have a volume control. The combination determines how loud it is. Of course, it also depends on the playback device I have seen some folks on this forum which run the volume at 100%.
If 20% sounds really loud to you, you may have the source set too high and it is causing the crackling.
You don't use any third party audio software, since I have heard some types can overdrive the system.
SolidSnake35
1 Rookie
•
36 Posts
1
August 14th, 2017 12:00
I just updated the driver through the control panel. The problem is now worse and more noticeable.
SolidSnake35
1 Rookie
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36 Posts
0
August 14th, 2017 12:00
Well, the listening volume isn't normal. In Windows 10, anything over 20/100 would blow your ears out.
SolidSnake35
1 Rookie
•
36 Posts
0
August 14th, 2017 15:00
Yeah, I understand that but the Max Audio Pro software that came preinstalled cannot be removed, apparently, as it's linked to the driver. Anyway, its own volume slider matches the Windows one. They're not independent of each other. The volume in spotify I have always set to max... as for YouTube etc, I've never needed to lower the volume. This does not seem like something I should have to do, especially not with a new product out of the box, with fully updated drivers and software.
To further elaborate on the problem, I would describe the audio as stuttering. Like you said, as if the computer were momentarily freezing... thought it is not.
Also, since updating the Realtek driver from their website, the AudioMax whatever it is software has been acting up and not long recognises my headphones as headphones, but rather "speakers", and the sound is awful. Turning off this "profile" removes all enhancement I guess, but without it... the audio is extremely dull. Honestly, I don't know what to make of that. I only know my 7 year old Vaio performed better.
Also it still stutters with the AudioMax thing off.
What is Dell's return policy and how does one get the ball rolling for that? I bought it through Amazon less than 28 days ago.
SolidSnake35
1 Rookie
•
36 Posts
0
August 22nd, 2017 12:00
Okay, so I notice a spike in the CPU, to 100% for a second only, when the audio stutters. How do I identify the cause of that spike?
Saltgrass
4 Operator
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4.3K Posts
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August 22nd, 2017 13:00
I would use Resource Monitor. Keep it open and if you see it and it only lasts for a second, try hitting the print screen button so you can try to pin down what process in the top window is doing it. It may take several tries to work down to the actual cause.
If it happens on a certain time period it is easier to catch it. Also, that means it is probably some type of Task which might show up in the task scheduler or something like mail which goes online. It could be some software updater among other things.
If you can get us a picture of the windows showing high CPU activity we might be able to trace it down. Starting with the top window and after setting the filter, go to one of the lower ones.
SolidSnake35
1 Rookie
•
36 Posts
0
August 27th, 2017 16:00
So after more usage this problem seems to be linked to Chrome. Using Edge has reduced the stutter; I can't say completely but perhaps close. Still having issues with a stutter when using Bluetooth earphones but... that's another thing.
.Sparks
1 Message
0
September 23rd, 2017 22:00
I'm not sure if this is the same issue I was having, but I still periodically get crackling, distorted sound. Sometimes it will reoccur several times after I fix it within the same day and other times it's gone for days after I fix it. Originally the only way I knew of to make it go away was to restart the machine.
But if this is the issue I get then try this: Pause/turn off anything currently making sound, Searching windows and open Services, scroll down and click Windows Audio, and click Restart.It can be a pain to do if you have the issue a couple times in a single day, but it's the only thing I found that worked.
Bearmanvish
1 Message
0
May 17th, 2018 09:00
Okay I may have found a Fix for this issue and I tried nearly everything that's being suggested in nearly every thread I came across These include:
> Reinstalling the Realtek audio Drivers(Didn't work)
> Reverting back to the Windows Audio (The Sub woofer Didn't Work but the Audio Crackling got Fixed)
However See whether your laptop does this when its Connected to the internet.(You See I don't have these Audio latency issues when I'm not connected to the internet)
If that is the case Update then update the Network Drivers Specifically
Intel(R) Dual band Wireless-AC 3165
Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
and this method fixed my audio latency issues and I hope it may fix yours as well.
Juice118
1 Message
0
May 18th, 2018 10:00
Andria137
2 Posts
0
October 8th, 2018 07:00
Hey I fixed all my crackling, speed issues by downloading driver booster and updating all the drivers. There were 30 drivers that were old. Then I used the same series of programs (advanced systemcare) to boost the speed. everything works perfect now and it was faster than before. Just my 2 cents. I think it's old drivers. FYI yes I checked the drivers on my own and yes I disc clean and defrag all the time and yes I tried repairing and restoring, nothing worked but this.