Audio crackling is a common problem faced by many Windows 10 users. It can be frustrating when you want to enjoy your favorite music or movies, but the crackling sound interrupts your experience. There can be multiple causes of this problem, including outdated drivers, incorrect settings, and hardware issues. But no worries, there are several ways to fix audio crackling in Windows 10.

1. Update the Audio Driver

The first step to fix any audio-related problem is to update the audio driver. The outdated driver can cause crackling or distortion in sound quality. You can update the driver manually or automatically.
To update the driver manually, follow these steps:

Step 1. Press the Windows key + X, and select Device Manager from the list.

Step 2. Locate your Audio driver and right-click on it.

Step 3. Select Update Driver Software from the context menu.

Step 4. Choose the search automatically for the updated driver software option.

Step 5. Wait for the system to search, and if there is an update, follow the on-screen instructions.

To update the driver automatically, use reliable software like Driver Booster, Advanced Driver Updater, or DriverMax.

2. Adjust the Sound Quality Settings

Windows 10 has an advanced sound quality setting that can cause crackling if not properly configured. To adjust your sound quality settings, follow these steps:

Step 1. Press the Windows key + I and select System.

Step 2. Click on Sound, and then on Device Properties.

Step 3. In the Device Properties, go to the Advanced tab.

Step 4. In the Default Format section, change the sample rate to 16 bit 44100 Hz (CD Quality).

Step 5. Click on Apply and OK.

3. Disable Audio Enhancements

Audio enhancements can sometimes cause crackling or distortion in sound quality. Disabling these enhancements can fix the problem.

Step 1. Press the Windows key + X, and select the Sound option.

Step 2. Select Speakers and click on Properties.

Step 3. Go to the Enhancements tab.

Step 4. Tick the Disable all enhancements box.

Step 5. Click on Apply and OK.

4. Disable Audio Exclusive Mode

If the above solutions do not work, disabling Audio Exclusive Mode can help. Audio Exclusive Mode allows the audio device to run exclusively without interference from other applications.

Step 1. Press the Windows key + X, and select the Sound option.

Step 2. Select Speakers and click on Properties.

Step 3. Go to the Advanced tab.

Step 4. Untick the box next to the “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device” option.

Step 5. Click on Apply and OK.

5. Use Microsoft’s Audio Troubleshooter

If none of the above solutions work, using Microsoft’s built-in audio troubleshooter is the best way to identify and fix the problem.

Step 1. Press the Windows key + I and select Update & Security.

Step 2. Click on Troubleshoot and select Additional Troubleshooters.

Step 3. Scroll down and select Playing Audio.

Step 4. Click on Run the Troubleshooter.

Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to identify and fix the problem.