How do I stop popping sounds from my speakers?

Set a standard audio format like 16-bit 48000 Hz, turn off audio enhancements and exclusive mode, and update the audio driver.

Can a driver cause crackling?

Yes. An outdated or faulty audio driver is a frequent cause of crackling and popping, so updating or reinstalling it often fixes it.

Speakers Crackling or Popping? How to Fix It

Q: Why are my speakers crackling?

Common causes are a wrong audio sample-rate format, audio enhancements, a buggy driver, or a loose cable. Change the format and disable enhancements first.

Quick answer: Crackling and popping usually come from a wrong audio sample-rate format, audio enhancements, a buggy driver, or a loose cable — rarely blown speakers. Change the format, disable enhancements, and update the driver, then test.

Confirm the symptom: open the speaker test and play the tones.

Change the audio format

In Sound settings, open your output device and, under the advanced or format option, try a standard setting such as 16-bit, 48000 Hz. A mismatched sample rate is a frequent cause of crackle.

Disable enhancements and exclusive mode

Turn Audio enhancements to Off for the device, and in the classic Recording or Playback properties untick the exclusive-mode options so apps cannot take low-level control and cause pops.

Update the driver and check the cable

Update the audio driver in Device Manager. Then reseat the speaker cable, move it away from power bricks and USB 3.0 ports that cause interference, and try another port for a loose 3.5mm jack. For total silence instead of crackle, see no sound from laptop speakers.

Confirm the fix

Re-run the speaker test — the tones should play cleanly with no crackle or pop.