Audio pop on Windows 11
Posted by Valuable_Result_189@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Hi everyone,
I bought a new desktop PC with Windows 11 in December 2025, and about a month later, in January 2026, I started experiencing a pretty annoying issue. Whenever there is a brief audio interruption, like closing a Windows notification right as the sound starts, pausing or skipping a video, adjusting volume, or pausing in games, I hear a noticeable popping sound.
I have tried pretty much everything, both on my own and by following guides online. I changed the audio sample rate, tested both the front and rear audio jacks, used a USB DAC, switched headphones, tried speakers, routed audio through my second monitor, ran LatencyMon, disabled Windows audio enhancements, tested both Realtek drivers and the default Windows High Definition Audio drivers, tweaked power saving settings especially CPU and PCIe, changed some BIOS settings like Cool and Quiet, and even edited audio related registry settings.
The only things I have not done are reinstalling Windows and/or updating the BIOS, mainly because I am not very experienced and I am worried about potentially damaging the PC. That said, I would tend to rule those out since the system worked perfectly for the first month, and I have seen many reports of people having the same issue across different setups.
From what I have read, it is very likely caused by a Windows update. I have already reported the issue, so now it is just a matter of hoping Microsoft fixes it soon. The PC is still perfectly usable and the pops are not unbearable, but it is frustrating to have such a basic issue on a brand new 1000€ system.
Specs for reference:
Motherboard Gigabyte B550M K
CPU AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
GPU NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060
Has anyone found a real fix or workaround for this?
MOMISTHEBEST@reddit
I am facing the same issue with my KA13 USB DAC... this is driving me nuts.
Whether I use Fiio or Realtek drivers changes nothing, nor the sample format or audio enhancement disabling.
Specs :
MSI B650 MPG Carbon Wifi
9800x3D
NVIDIA 4070 RTX
Did you find a fix ?
Valuable_Result_189@reddit (OP)
no unfortunately i haven’t found any fix; I’m just learning to live with it. It’s confirmed to be a Windows issue that they refuse to acknowledge and fix. With the last monthly patch, they introduced some audio fixes, but apparently nothing has changed.
MOMISTHEBEST@reddit
So we're depending on Microsoft.. great. :( Thank you for your answer ! ;)
postsshortcomments@reddit
Is your speaker/headphone wire cable managed near other electromagnetic emitting sources? IE: do you have your speaker wire crossing over your mouse wire or is it running through some bundle of cables with velcro or a cable management hole in your desk? Try running a clean line of analog cable (headphone 3.5mm wire or speaker wire) that doesn't come close to any other wire or EMI source.
If it were a soundcard/driver issue, the DAC typically would solve it. DACs "override" audio drivers. Since it's not, this is about what I'd expect is the mouse USB cable intersected with the headphone wire/speaker wire.
Otherwise I'm completely stumped.. My only other guess is that you have some software-level equalizer software running that's misconfigured and is affecting both the soundcard drivers and DAC.
Valuable_Result_189@reddit (OP)
I just tried unplugging EVERYTHING that was connected via USB from my PC, except for the mouse, which I plugged in as far away as possible from the headphone jacks (I am now using them through the jacks since nothing changes with the DAC anyway), and nothing changed.
I also tried unplugging the desk’s built in USB hub, which I ONLY use to charge my phone, to see if it was causing interference but even in this case nothing changed.
I do not use any audio equalization software and I am not the typical gamer who downloads 80000 apps, I literally only use Steam and Discord so the problem cannot come from there either.
I had installed G HUB since both my headphones and the DAC are Logitech but I uninstalled it a while ago with BCUninstaller and in any case I had NEVER messed with the sound.
postsshortcomments@reddit
And the headphone cable is routed cleanly, not anywhere near cabling?
My last troubleshooting step to rule out EMI would be to plug your USB DAC into the front I/O and bring the DAC as far into the center of room as possible before plugging in the analog headphone cable.
Pretty baffled then if it's happening on multiple pairs of headphones (I'd next jump to possible speaker damage). Especially if you are dealing with wired headphones and wireless (which could be interference, but I think it's super unlikely).
Only other guess would be an older house with very unshielded wiring (the headphone cable would probably have to almost touch the drywall in the perfect location). Maybe also one of those adjustable level desks with a powered adjustable height motor - but I'd guess you tried unplugging that too. Even if the case isn't properly grounded, a DAC should have ruled out an ungrounded case.
If you have an old SSD sitting around, you could remove your current storage, try a fresh Windows install, and if that doesn't fix it just plug back in your current Windows install. If it does work, it has to be some software setting.. but I highly doubt it's specifically a bad driver given that the DAC should be a separate driver.
Valuable_Result_189@reddit (OP)
Yes, I made sure not to keep the mouse cable and the headphone cable close to each other when I tested by disconnecting everything. I tried using the DAC in both the front USB ports and the rear ones, and it makes no difference. I also tried another pair of headphones, a pair of speakers, and even the speakers from the second monitor by changing the audio output.
Yes, my house is old, but as I wrote, the problem appeared after one month from buying the PC and on my previous gaming PC I had no issues at all. If it were the electrical system, I should have had the same problem on the other PC. I also confirm that the issue persists even when using a DAC. My desk has NOT a powered adjustable height motor, just a hole with a small USB HUB but like i've said i've already tried to unplug it.
The SSD is completely new, just like the entire PC. If it is not too complicated I could try reinstalling Windows, but I would prefer to keep that as a last resort.
Diapergenie@reddit
Maybe try older audio drivers from their support page?
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B550M-K-rev-10/support#Support-Driver
Valuable_Result_189@reddit (OP)
Already did it. nothing changed