Realtek crackling sound on Windows 7

[Red_Machine]

It's a 32-bit OS, using the latest driver from the Realtek site (which works fine on Vista). I've tried disabling all "audio enhancements", I've tried disabling everything but the speaker output, I've tried every sound format (bitrate and Hz), I've tried resetting USB drivers and power states (was recommended as a fix by someone in a forum thread I found in a google search), tried a format and reinstall, tried just using Microsoft's generic driver.

I just tried the driver you provided, and good bloody god it works! I knew it was a software issue, but I didn't fancy wading through all the old driver releases until I found one that worked. Thank you.

 

[Nabarun]

Glad it worked for you. Cheers!

 

[OneMoar]

what driver @_@

 

[Red_Machine]

what driver @_@

This one:

1) Go to Device manager, uninstall "Realtek High Definition audio" under sound,video and game controllers (and any other generic audio drivers).
2) Now download and install Realtek audio driver Vista_R214. (in compatibility mode - see below)
3) Restart PC, the system upon log on to the desktop, it should now install the realtek hd audio bus, from preconfigured drivers i.e. the vista drivers you installed before rebooting.

 

[OneMoar]

This one:

*stares blankly*

 

[Red_Machine]

There's a link in the quote. "Realtek audio driver Vista_R214", do you not see it?

 

[OneMoar]

There's a link in the quote. "Realtek audio driver Vista_R214", do you not see it?

nope

 

[Red_Machine]

Hm, maybe you're not seeing quotes? Because I can see it fine. Here's the link, anyway.

http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1311/realtek-hd-audio-2-14-vista/

 

[JIM987654321]

Hi all - been having the same exact issue on a new 2014 Dell XPS 8700 that I could not
test in time before return policy expired. Dell installed a new motherboard and that also did
not fix it. Have tried every thing under the sun (the familiar list - everything). I wonder if a
similar fix may work for my system? I'm running Windows 7. Perhaps its unlikley as I am
on a nearly brand new 64 bit system?

 

[Nabarun]

Hi all - been having the same exact issue on a new 2014 Dell XPS 8700 that I could not
test in time before return policy expired. Dell installed a new motherboard and that also did
not fix it. Have tried every thing under the sun (the familiar list - everything). I wonder if a
similar fix may work for my system? I'm running Windows 7. Perhaps its unlikley as I am
on a nearly brand new 64 bit system?

That's some real shitty audio you got there, mate. My first (and recommended) advice would be to get a decent sound card. It doesn't have to be a pricey one - some creative and Asus sound cards are exceptionally good for their price. Even an Asus Xonar DG (for pci) or Xonar DX (pci-express) or Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX will be a LOT better than what you have now. I did some googling, and there seems to be problems with most of Dell's AIO stuff, and the answers they provide on the support forums are nowhere close to helpful. Anyway, I don't know what motherboard you have, but looks like your Wave MaxxAudio 4 is implemented on top of some Realtec HW. If that's the case, then uninstall your existing driver and install the Realtek ALC3861 Audio Driver. (Someone recommended this on Dell forums)