NUC10i7FNB Analog Audio: Periodic Crackle and Pops/Ticks

[SteveGuidi]

This message is mainly a follow-up for the following, which I believe to be a software/driver/codec issue and not a hardware issue.  I'm hoping someone may provide guidance on diagnosing this further, or provide a solution.

cracking sounds on Intel NUC 10i7FNH - Intel Community

Over the last year, I've noticed a crackling or popping noise over audio that comes from the 3.5mm audio jack output.  This occurs on any speaker or headset plugged into the jack, regardless of which cables are used.  The symptoms are identical to the above thread, but I believe this to be a software issue due to the following data:

• Issue only occurs on hard-wired connection to 3.5mm jack; does not occur over Bluetooth Headphone audio for the same sound sources.
• Issue appears to be dependent on audio decoding used by software.
  • Playback of a video file using the stock Windows 10 Windows Media Player reproduces issue.
  • Playback of the same video file using Windows 10 Movies & TV app does not produce issue.
  • Identical results between above applications when playing back the same MP3 file.
• All YouTube videos reproduce the issue.
• World of Warships game reproduces the issue.

Most other online sources about this problem suggest DPC latency and running LatencyMon and the Windows Performance Debugging tools.  Unfortunately, those tools usually indicate a low-level kernel or network driver being the cause, which I find highly unlikely given the above data.  I suspect an audio decoder issue (which codec?) or a fault in the RealTek driver.

Does this sound familiar for anyone?  What can I do to further isolate the cause of this problem?  I'm currently using the most recent RealTek Windows 10 driver for my NUC10i7FNH system (6.0.8950.1) and the audio console application shows it is in the default configuration.  Furthermore, I've disabled the HDMI audio adapter as I don't have speakers in my monitor.

[Dave-Kay]

Hello Steve

i think we can rule out the realTek Driver, because in my case it happens with the preBox S2 from pro-ject as well.

Kind regards
Kai

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello SteveGuidi,  

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.   

I would like to know if you were able to try the recommendation from the thread mentioned?

1. Have you tried BIOS recovery?

2. Have you updated drivers?

3. Have you checked for HDMI firmware updates (even if you disable the option)?

4. Have you tried a fresh installation of Windows?

Best regards, 

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[SteveGuidi]

---

@DeividA_Intel wrote:

1. Have you tried BIOS recovery?

2. Have you updated drivers?

3. Have you checked for HDMI firmware updates (even if you disable the option)?

4. Have you tried a fresh installation of Windows?

Hi Deivid:

I have updated all drivers as per the direction of the "Intel Driver & Support Assistant".  Furthermore, Windows is up to date according to the system's Windows Update status.  I also updated the HDMI firmware to the following, which appears to be the latest revision as per the firmware update tool.

Current on-board F/W Version: Bobcat App: MC2800 v1.78.2 (cut2.2)
CMDB: Ver:0.3 (Custom Ver: 0.7)

I have not tried to reset my BIOS to a prior version (I am currently using version 0052 from 4/9/2021).  Could the BIOS contribute to this issue given that two different media players in Windows produce different results?  In any case, if this is a low risk operation, which version should I revert to?

Also, I am very reluctant on reinstalling Windows and all the applications on this system.  This might correct the problem as it is very likely software related but I'd like to understand what might cause this first.  I'd very much like to consider this as a last resort.

[Dave-Kay]

Hello steve,

are there any news from you about the problem?

kind regards
kai

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello SteveGuidi,  

Were you able to check the previous post and get the information requested? Please let me know if you need more assistance.   

Regards,  

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician  

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello SteveGuidi, 

Thanks for the reply.

I would like to let you know that we do not recommend rolling back the BIOS version, and that should not be possible since the NUC is not going to allow it even if you tried. Just as a friendly reminder.

However, a BIOS recovery could help to correct any possible issue that could have occurred during the normal BIOS update.

- BIOS(FNCML357.0052.RECOVERY.zip): https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/30404?v=t

- Steps: https://downloadmirror.intel.com/30404/eng/NUC-AptioV-UEFI-Firmware-BIOS-Update-Readme.pdf

As for the Windows re-installation, it may have some risks if it is not performed properly. I recommend you to get in contact with Microsoft to get the "step by step" to reinstall Windows properly.

Regards,   

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician  

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello SteveGuidi, 

Were you able to check the previous post? Please let me know if you need more assistance.   

Regards,    

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician  

[SteveGuidi]

I completed the BIOS recovery steps, but that didn't resolve the issue.

I'm going to research this a further before I attempt a clean windows installation as that will avoid reinstalling and reconfiguring several applications.

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello SteveGuidi, 

Thank you for the information provided 

I would like to proceed and check the issue internally, and to do it I will appreciate it if you can provide me with a report from the Intel® System Support Utility:

- https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility-for-Windows-

Best regards, 

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[SteveGuidi]

HI Deivid -- report attached.  Please let me know if additional information is needed.

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello SteveGuidi,  

Thank you for the information provided 

I will proceed to check the issue internally and post back soon with more details. 

Best regards, 

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello SteveGuidi, 

I would like to let you know that we tried to replicate the issue, but we did not face the same problem.

Environment:

- Frost Canyon

- Fresh OS installation

- Lastest BIOS installed.

- IDSA and windows updated

- Tested audio files, BT headset, USB speakers, 3.5mm headset

At this point, I recommend you to get in contact with us directly for warranty options:

- US Canada: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/contact-support.html#@11 

- Europe, Middle East, and Africa: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/contact-support/emea-contact.html 

- Asia-Pacific: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/contact-support/apac-contact.html 

- Latin America: https://www.intel.la/content/www/xl/es/support/contact-support/lar-contact.html 

Best regards,  

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[SteveGuidi · Accepted solution]

After nearly 18 months of accepting persistent audio crackling issues as the norm, I found the culprit earlier this evening.

Corsair's iCue peripheral management software

I committed to a clean install of Windows 11, using the upgrade as an opportunity to track down the source of audio issue once and for all. It was only after I installed this software that the issues start, verified with a revert via a Windows system restore point.

Here is another report of this issue:
https://forum.corsair.com/forums/topic/168593-icue-causes-audio-stuttering/

The software has been updated several times in the past 18 months and I therefore have no confidence that the issue will be fixed. Ironically, I was using the software only to turn off the bright DPI-indicating LED on my mouse, a feature I can live with given the alternative.

Thank you everyone who provided suggestions to help track this down. Hopefully this data point will help others with similar issues.

[ken1943]

Did you ever think it could be caused by the plug/jack ? Mine does the same if I move (even slightly) the plug. This is a very common problem with cheap plugs and jacks these days.