[Windows] Fix Audio Crackling on Realtek HD Audo Drivers

[BBgamer]

Before I start,

This guide is only for if you have a NVIDIA graphics card (Geforce/ION) and the latest WHQL drivers (260).

I have the NVIDIA 9600GSO, and last night I updated my NVIDIA graphics drivers to the latest version from NVIDIA's website.

Everything worked fine after, however, after I rebooted and started up some music/youtube, I could hear alot of crackling.

I googled about, tried reinserting the cables and testing the speakers out on my iPod Touch to make sure they weren't the case, which they weren't.

First I uninstalled my audio drivers and reinstalled them with working versions, that did not work.

Finally, after checking the NVIDIA changelog, I noticed that the HD Audio Drivers have been updated to the latest version.

I went to my programs manager, uninstalled the NVIDIA drivers and tried out some music. The crackling was gone.

Steps:

1) Uninstall your NVIDIA graphics drivers from 'Add/Remove Programs' for XP or 'Programs and Features' for Vista/7.

2) Goto the NVIDIA website, hover your mouse over 'Download Drivers' on the menu, and on the dropdown select 'Beta/Archived Drivers'.

3) Select your graphics card/OS etc.

4) Get the second WHQL driver (Mine were 256).

5) Download, install, reboot if you need to.

Hopefully that helped people out, since I found alot of people with the same problem as me.

Extra: You may be able to get your old working drivers from C:/NVIDIA/, so you don't have to dowload from NVIDIA.

[Subject Delta]

Shouldn't you just be able to disable the nVidia HD audio device from the device manager?

[BBgamer]

Shouldn't you just be able to disable the nVidia HD audio device from the device manager?

I'm not sure about that one. Im pretty sure my computer was just using realtek drivers, but maybe not.

[Subject Delta]

I'm not sure about that one. Im pretty sure my computer was just using realtek drivers, but maybe not.

I haven't used an nVidia card that can output HDMI before, so this is only guesswork, but most graphics cards come with a built in audio processor for their HDMI outputs, so you can rig them up to a TV without a complicated audio setup. I know for ATI cards, the HDMI audio processor shows up as a separate device, I can't vouch for whether it does for nVidia cards or not.

[Vourdex]

I have this same problem. I recently upgraded from a 9800 GTX to a GTX 460, and got cracking in all my audio. It seems to be only HDMI enabled NVIDIA graphics cards. Also, I have Windows 7 64bit.

I do not have Realtek, but I do have on-board ASUS P5Q PRO TURBO (VIA on-board or something) sound and I get the same issues with Windows supplied drivers and ASUS supplied drivers (all latest versions).

I can confirm a few things:

1.) Just uninstalling the HD Audio Drivers from NVIDiA DOES NOT WORK. It seems you need to downgrade GFX drivers as well.

2.) This is most likely caused by the HDMI Audio stuff that comes on most new cards as my 9800 GTX did not have any issues with the same graphics driver.

3.) This definitely seems to be an NVIDIA only issue.

4.) Using 260.99 graphics drivers with Windows issued drivers for the soundcard or with most up-to-date ASUS issued drivers for my mobo DOES NOT WORK.

5.) Disabling the HDMI Device in Device Manager also DOES NOT WORK.

I really hope NVIDIA's next driver release fixes all these issues, but I doubt it.

[bjoswald]

Just use one or the other. I think the newest chipset drivers give you the option to uncheck things before you install them. No need to run both.

[Brian Veteran]

I've a similar crackling issue with a Realtek card, shame this guide can't help, but thanks for the tip!

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

so a simple driver roll-back wouldn't suffice? Just curious....

[SkillsToShow]

Have the same problem with my Galaxy 460. I also hear a constant buzzing coming from my speakers and lots of static noises while playing SC2. Not sure if it is caused by the same thing.