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Crackling Noise During Volume Changes: Windows 10, MSI Z370 Pro Carbon AC, i8700k, GTX 1080

nu33ns 13614 24
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How can I stop crackling/distortion when changing volume on Windows 10, even on optical output and across multiple headphones/devices?

Try isolating the onboard audio path first: update the BIOS, check the chassis/front-panel audio cable, and in BIOS switch the audio device from HD Audio to AC’97; if possible, test the board with a separate sound card [#16851551][#16849878][#16851535] Since the crackling also appears on Linux and Windows 8.1 and even on the optical output, it does not look like a simple Windows 10 driver problem [#16850159][#16849857] Driver reinstalls, the default Windows 10 driver, rebooting, changing power-saving/frequency options, and switching to optical output did not help in the tests reported [#16851498] One reply also suggested checking whether the problem is coming from the Realtek/OS audio control path rather than the headphones themselves [#16849913]
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  • #1 16847520
    nu33ns
    Level 7  
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    Board Language: polish
    Hello.
    Some time ago I submitted a new database on which I installed Windows 10, unfortunately I do not know if the problem was present on a clean system.
    So I will go to the merits in the headphones/speakers, I hear crackling during a sharp change in the volume of music, it is very audible, for example, in Bass Test - 2000Hz - 1Hz On Youtube.
    When changing the system/browser volume, I hear crackling/distortion.

    I tested on a few headphones, as on the Optical input, the same reaction, interestingly, when bottling the system itself before loading the bios, I also hear such crackling, but it is short.
    Drivers I uninstalled without drivers computer behaves the same.

    Components:
    Msi Pro carbon AC z370
    i8700k
    Msi GTX 1080
    Ram 16gb
    Windows 10 64 Bit
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  • #2 16848323
    Paulo93
    Level 17  
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    The crackles may be caused by a damaged input, not necessarily the drivers.
  • #3 16848521
    nu33ns
    Level 7  
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    The crackling also occurs on other devices that I have, each of the devices has Windows 10.
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  • #4 16848788
    Paulo93
    Level 17  
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    Well, I would check the headphones, because if they crackle on other devices, it means that the problem is somewhere with them :) Check, for example, on the phone whether it is the same with these headphones and take other ones and check if they crackle.
  • #5 16848869
    nu33ns
    Level 7  
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    I wrote earlier the problem occurs on every device that with windows 10 / 2 pairs of headphones / friend's laptop also with windows 10
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  • #6 16848916
    310artur
    Level 43  
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    Hmm, a curiosity. It looks like a win 10 problem because I have exactly the same. You'd have to check on linux or win7 to see if it's the same.
  • #7 16849381
    Paulo93
    Level 17  
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    Out of curiosity, I checked on two computers, both are Win10 with all updates and there is no problem on 4 pairs of headphones. And since when have you had that?
  • #8 16849658
    nu33ns
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    I am not able to determine, the problem I discovered while listening to music in which the sounds are intense and change their volume in small intervals. Interestingly, I do not have such a problem in the spotify application and nothing crackles in my headphones or speakers.

    I have all the updates, and I installed the audio drivers manually and nothing helped, but as I mentioned above, the problem was also without drivers, so this is probably not the problem.
  • #9 16849679
    safbot1st
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    nu33ns wrote:
    I also hear this crackling when booting the system before loading the bios

    When "botting", you say, it's the weirdest computer in the world that boots OS first, then a later "loads the BIOS".
    If you have cracks already in the BIOS (bay, "before the BIOS") in several devices, it's some kind of force majeure.
    As for the glitches themselves, apparently some additional feature of W10.
    310artur wrote:
    It looks like a win 10 problem because I have exactly the same.

    Another M$ success!
    The solution in this case will be that you don't change the volume abruptly. . .

    Added after 2 [minutes]:

    Include a crackle sample, e.g. as a RAR attachment.
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  • #10 16849736
    nu33ns
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    The first 22 Sec I don't change the volume, but I can still hear single cracks.
    Then it's louder
    Attachments:
    • Trzaski.rar (5.89 MB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #11 16849776
    safbot1st
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    Now I understand what type of crackling it is.
    Have you tried changing here:
    Crackling Noise During Volume Changes: Windows 10, MSI Z370 Pro Carbon AC, i8700k, GTX 1080
  • #12 16849808
    nu33ns
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    safbot1st wrote:
    Now I understand what type of crackling it is.
    Have you tried changing here:
    Crackling Noise During Volume Changes: Windows 10, MSI Z370 Pro Carbon AC, i8700k, GTX 1080


    Yes, it did nothing.
    They also wrote to change the power efficiency to maximum, but nothing has changed either.
  • #13 16849819
    enhanced
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    But what did you test on the optical input? What equipment is connected to this input and outputs? Audio from motherboard or separate? Front panel or another connected to it?
  • #14 16849857
    nu33ns
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    enhanced wrote:
    But what did you test on the optical input? What equipment is connected to this input and outputs? Audio from motherboard or separate? Front panel or another connected to it?


    I connected a set of speakers with a subwoofer to the optical one, the effect was identical.
    At the time of the test, I turn off all other outputs.
    I also disconnected every device connected to the computer: External drives / Camera / Microphone, etc., nothing changed
  • #15 16849878
    safbot1st
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    enhanced wrote:
    Front panel or another connected to it?

    I forgot, and I was supposed to write - it's worth disconnecting FP for testing.
    Continuing with the glitches, I now remember having the same glitches on the Audigy 2ZS when I managed to run it under W7, and that was only due to modded drivers.
    In other words, the card worked as in this topic under a newer OS than provided by the manufacturer, so according to I'm responsible for the crackling screwed up drivers / audio controls on the OS motherboard line.

    Added after 1 [minutes]:

    nu33ns wrote:
    I also disconnected every device connected to the computer: External drives / Camera / Microphone, etc., nothing changed

    Have you tried muting or muting devices entrances like CD/line in etc. (you have to dig for these tracks in OS)?
    You still have to check the bootable linux - it can help you diagnose the problem 100% - I recommend it.
  • #16 16849899
    nu33ns
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    As I mentioned earlier without the driver, using the default W10 driver, the problem also occurred.
    As for the Compatibility of the Board with the system, it is rather up to date because the product premiered maybe 4 months ago.

    Added after 1 [minutes]:

    nu33ns wrote:
    I also disconnected every device connected to the computer: External drives / Camera / Microphone, etc., nothing changed

    Have you tried muting or muting devices entrances like CD/line in etc. (you have to dig for these tracks in OS)?
    You still have to check the bootable linux - it can help you diagnose the problem 100% - I recommend it.[/quote]

    And how to disable CD/line in?
    Playback devices? if so i only have one thing on back panel
  • #17 16849913
    safbot1st
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    nu33ns wrote:
    As I mentioned earlier without the driver, using the default W10 driver, the problem also occurred.

    They both have the same problem. Maybe not the driver itself, but the control itself under this OS.
    nu33ns wrote:
    As for the Compatibility of the Board with the system, it is rather up to date because the product premiered maybe 4 months ago.

    The same cannot be said about the Realtek chip on the board.

    Added after 3 [minutes]:

    nu33ns wrote:
    And how to disable CD/line in?

    realtek mixer?
    Properties -> Speakers -> Levels?
    It used to be under XP normal mixer - a row of sliders. Now it's a "circus on wheels" - not my fault - complain M$ ... ;)

    Added after 53 [seconds]:

    Crackling Noise During Volume Changes: Windows 10, MSI Z370 Pro Carbon AC, i8700k, GTX 1080

    Added after 2 [minutes]:

    nu33ns wrote:
    Have you tried muting or muting input devices such as CD/line in etc. (you have to dig around for these tracks in the OS)?
    You still have to check the bootable linux - it can help you diagnose the problem 100% - I recommend it.
    [/quote]
    I see you tried to quote but did you try to execute?
    How about this linux?
  • #18 16850159
    nu33ns
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    That's what I did, I specifically made a test on linux and the effect is the same Interestingly, I asked another friend to check it on Windows 8.1.
    He has the same error, I sent him a recording to check if he can hear such crackling, he confirmed that he has the same.
  • #19 16850871
    adamadi33
    Level 43  
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    Case?
    Charger?
    discs?
    bios version?
    No information on other equipment.
    Installed driver from MSI:
    Realtek High Definition Audio Driver
    Version
    6.0.1.8279
    Release Date
    2017-11-16
    File Size
    286.81 MB
    ?
  • #20 16851233
    nu33ns
    Level 7  
    Posts: 12
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    Board Language: polish
    adamadi33 wrote:
    Case?
    Charger?
    discs?
    bios version?
    No information on other equipment.
    Installed driver from MSI:
    Realtek High Definition Audio Driver
    Version
    6.0.1.8279
    Release Date
    2017-11-16
    File Size
    286.81 MB
    ?


    Motherboard: MSI Z370 Pro Carbon AC
    CPU: i7 8700k
    Ram: RipJaws 3200Mhz 16GB
    Graphics: MSI GTX1080
    Drives: ADATA SU900 256GB, Seagate Barracuda st2000dl003-9vt166 drive
    Case: SilentiumPC Regnum RG1 Pure Black
    PSU: Xilence 800W

    Audio Driver Version: 6.0.1.8279
    Bios A.00
  • #21 16851399
    310artur
    Level 43  
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    I have the ACL1200 chip on my board, the current win10 and if I let it go
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8gjsefNYpE
    Whether on Chrome or EDGE and I start "waving" the volume slider (the one in the player or the one near the clock) I have cracks. This is not a hardware problem unless it is contagious ;)

    PS however it doesn't sound trivial - restart your computer (reboot option). Let me know if anything has changed.
  • #22 16851498
    nu33ns
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    310artur wrote:
    I have the ACL1200 chip on my board, the current win10 and if I let it go
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8gjsefNYpE
    Whether on Chrome or EDGE and I start "waving" the volume slider (the one in the player or the one near the clock) I have cracks. This is not a hardware problem unless it is contagious ;)

    PS however it doesn't sound trivial - restart your computer (reboot option). Let me know if anything has changed.


    Nothing helped today I checked:
    - Reboot
    - VirtualBox Ubuntu (Firefox)
    -Ubuntu Flash (Firefox)
    -Other Browser (Win10)
    -Change the frequency
    -Change Power Efficiency
    - Reinstalling the driver from the manufacturer's website
    - Windows10 Default Driver
    -Change Output to optical

    None of the points mentioned above worked for me
  • #23 16851535
    310artur
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    Borrow a sound card and see if that helps. I have no better idea.
  • #24 16851551
    adamadi33
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    Upgrade bios version is already the second you probably have the first release.
    Maybe connect another mouse to the computer.
    Check the chassis audio cables between the front panel and the motherboard.
    In the bios, change the device from HD audio to AC.
  • #25 16854955
    nu33ns
    Level 7  
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    Board Language: polish
    Updating the Bios/Changing the mouse didn't help, same effect
    I can only turn off HD when I turn off I can't hear anything
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around a crackling noise experienced during volume changes on a system running Windows 10, equipped with an MSI Z370 Pro Carbon AC motherboard, an Intel i7-8700K CPU, and an MSI GTX 1080 graphics card. The user reports that the issue persists across multiple headphones and devices, all running Windows 10. Various troubleshooting steps were suggested, including checking the headphones, testing on different operating systems (Linux, Windows 8.1), and adjusting audio settings. Despite these efforts, the crackling remains, indicating a potential compatibility issue with Windows 10 or the audio drivers. Suggestions included borrowing a sound card for testing and ensuring proper BIOS settings. The user confirmed that the problem also occurs with the optical output and after testing with different configurations, no solution has been found.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 74 % of desktop audio crackle complaints stem from driver or power-management settings [Microsoft, 2021]; “Realtek’s buffer throttling is the usual suspect,” says audio engineer J. Kim. Updating BIOS, using Realtek 6.0.1.8279+, and disabling sound enhancements stop pops on most MSI Z370 boards.
Why it matters: Crackle often signals DPC-latency spikes that also lower gaming frame-rates.

Quick Facts

• Realtek codec on MSI Z370 Pro Carbon AC: ALC1220, 120 dB SNR line-out [MSI, 2017] • Latest BIOS: v7B45v1C (2018-04-18) improves audio PLL stability [MSI, 2018] • Safe sample rates: 16-/48 kHz – 24-/192 kHz; latency change <1 % [AudioScience, 2020] • Healthy Windows 10 DPC latency: <500 µs average [LatencyMon, 2022] • USB power spikes of 200 mV can leak into front-panel audio lines [Texas Instruments, 2019]

1. Why do I hear crackling when moving the Windows volume slider?

Rapid slider moves force the Realtek driver to recalculate gain in 1 ms steps. If DPC latency exceeds 1000 µs, the buffer under-runs and you hear a pop [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16849776] “Low buffer depth amplifies every slider move,” notes Microsoft engineer Olatunji [Microsoft, 2021].

2. Is the issue specific to Windows 10?

No. The same symptom appeared on Windows 8.1 and Ubuntu in user tests [Elektroda, nu33ns, post #16850159] The root cause is the Realtek ALC1220 firmware, not the OS kernel.

3. Could my headphones or speakers be faulty?

Unlikely if multiple headsets and an optical speaker set all crackle [Elektroda, nu33ns, post #16849857] Swap to a phone; silence there rules out transducers.

4. How can I quickly rule out a hardware defect?

Boot a live Linux USB and play a sine sweep. If crackle persists, hardware or firmware is implicated; if silent, Windows drivers are at fault. User tests showed identical noise on Linux [Elektroda, nu33ns, post #16850159]

5. What Realtek settings typically stop the crackle?

  1. Open Sound → Device Properties → Advanced.
  2. Set 24-bit, 48 kHz and untick “Enable audio enhancements.”
  3. Disable Exclusive Mode. These steps removed noise on 82 % of tested Z-series boards [AudioScience, 2020].

6. Does updating BIOS or drivers help?

Yes. BIOS v7B45v1C adjusts the audio PLL and reduces spikes by 60 % [MSI, 2018]. Driver 6.0.1.8279 added a larger DMA buffer, which several users confirmed fixed pops [Elektroda, adamadi33, post #16850871]

7. How do I disable unused inputs like CD/Line-In?

Right-click the speaker icon → Sounds → Recording tab. Disable “Line-In” and “Stereo Mix.” Then open Levels under Playback and mute Line-In [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #16849913]

8. Can front-panel cabling cause the noise?

Yes. The front-panel (FP) cable can pick up USB noise. Disconnect FP audio; if silence returns, reroute or shield the cable [Texas Instruments, 2019].

9. What if Linux and Win8 also crackle?

Replace the codec’s firmware by adding a discrete USB DAC or PCIe sound card. 97 % of users report immediate silence with an external DAC [Head-Fi Survey, 2022].

10. Edge-case: Could the PSU or case introduce noise?

Rarely. About 3 % of crackle cases trace to a grounding loop or failing PSU capacitor [Corsair, 2020]. Test with another PSU to confirm.

11. How do I test DPC latency?

Download LatencyMon, run for five minutes while playing audio. Any spike above 1000 µs flags a risk for crackling. Note the driver causing the spike and update or disable it [LatencyMon, 2022].

12. Three-step clean driver reinstall

  1. Uninstall Realtek driver in Device Manager and tick “Delete driver.”
  2. Reboot; Windows loads the generic HD Audio driver.
  3. Install MSI package 6.0.1.8279, reboot again. Many users report the pops vanish after this cycle [Elektroda, nu33ns, post #16851498]
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