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I just build a desktop PC, everything is good except Spotify! it is making crackling sound every 5-10 seconds, almost like this: https://youtu.be/SzM2KaMszvc?t=26

Everything else works PERFECT!, Games works fine, Visual Studio compilation works fast, Chrome with 70 tabs works fine (ok maybe not 70 tabs... but you get the point).

I have followed troubleshooting instructions here: https://community.spotify.com/t5/Desktop-Windows/Annoying-cracking-noise-on-every-song/td-p/4768683 but nop, no effect.

Things I have tried:

  • Disable audio enhancement
  • Set to 'Do Nothing' in Communication setting
  • Toggle hardware acceleration
  • High quality streaming
  • Download playlist to local
  • Change speaker
  • Disable NVIDIA HD sound
  • Disable Mic
  • Reinstall Spotify
  • Disable Windows Defender

This is driving me nuts!

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  • Do you have all audio drivers up to date? Could be something simple like reinstalling the audio drivers. In Device Manager try disabling Nvidia HD sounds drivers too.
    – mully
    Commented Sep 22, 2021 at 14:59
  • Is the PC connected via Wifi to the Internet? May be in combination with Bluetooth headphones? Spotify on PC does not really "stream" audio instead it load every few seconds a large block of data. May be the Wifi frequencies cause those crackling sounds...
    – Robert
    Commented Sep 22, 2021 at 16:00
  • Maybe this?
    – Peregrino69
    Commented Sep 22, 2021 at 16:12
  • Yeah I have tried fiddling around with all imaginable settings as suggested in those threads..., disable enhancement, uninstall drivers, update latest drivers for everything, replacing my speaker, none works... now I only listen Spotify from mobile phone.
    – Rosdi
    Commented Sep 23, 2021 at 1:06
  • @Robert I am not using wireless headphone.., I connect my earphone directly to the headphone jack.
    – Rosdi
    Commented Sep 23, 2021 at 1:14

2 Answers 2

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Ok, after weeks of trying, I finally found the cause and the fix.

Flash BIOS/UEFI Firmware to the latest.

I have always reluctant to meddle with BIOS/UEFI because one wrong move could brick the motherboard. But due to frustration I finally decided it is worth a try.

I am using ASUS ROG Strix B550-XE motherboard and was using the original BIOS firmware that came factory fitted with the motherboard. When I check at ASUS website there is a bunch of updates for the BIOS, mine was version 0305 released on July 2020.

So I flashed the BIOS from version 0305 to version 2423. It has been 2 months now and Spotify never once crackle or having any issues. I waited 2 months to confirm this is the actual fix. 😂

Hopefully that helps someone.

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I had this problem, too. All other apps worked fine with the Bluetooth speaker, except Spotify.

After several bouts with headache (literally and figuratively, because the crackling sound triggered my migraine), I solved the problem this morning.

I don't know the technical aspects, but in my PC, I changed the Output Settings from:

  • 2 channels, 16 bit, 44100 Hz

To:

  • 1 channel, 16 bit, 44100 Hz

I don't understand these things but it worked.

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