cracking sounds on Intel NUC 10i7FNH

[Dave-Kay]

Hello,
i got my second NUC 10i7FNH this Weekend, after returning the first because of cracking sounds while playing music.
I freshly installed it and ran into the same problem again, while playing music there are cracks every few seconds.
as it only appears when sound is activated, i thought it could not be the powersupply, but i switched it anyway and got the same result. i tried an installation on both m2 and SSD, i pulled out the ram and used a single one of them and finally i booted into mint and the problem was gone.

it doesn't matter if i use the HDMI out, the 3,5mm output on the front, or my Project Prebox S2 digital every few seconds there is a cracking sound.

all drivers were chosen either by windows itself, or the intel driver assistant.
does nyone know, what to test or do?

[n_scott_pearson]

This source more like a software problem. Did you ask questions here before you contacted Intel for a replacement? We might have saved you from going through the process. Anyway, please provide us with more information regarding when/how the problem is occurring. What music are you playing? What is the source for this music? If a file, what kind of device is this file stored on?

Please download and run the Intel System Support Utility for Windows. Select all data categories and then have it generate a report. Next, have the tool Save the report to a text file (don't try to use the Submit capability; it doesn't work). Finally, using the Drag and drop here or browse files to attach dialog below the edit box for the body of your response post, upload and attach this file to the response post.

...S

[Dave-Kay]

Hello Scott,

thank you, for your support!

First of all, i didn't return it to intel. I called amazon and they were extremely quick to say, "send it back", so i did. As soon as the new one was here, i testet it with a minimum installation and the cracking was already there. 
The cracking appears, i think in every audio-output, but i haven't really proven that. at least it appears in music, not matter what. i can play music via chrome on youtube, via roon, vlc, or with windows media player, it doesn't matter.

then i switched my language to english, after the protocol was german. and now i attached it to this post.
it appears, there are already some hints for me.... but any help is highly appreciated

thank you in advance
Kai

[n_scott_pearson]

Can you record this crackling sounds and post here?

[Dave-Kay]

sure, here it is. Quality is not to good, because i took a voice recorder

[n_scott_pearson]

That sure sounds like hardware-based crackling to me. Are you using the same set of speakers in all cases?

...S

[Dave-Kay]

it does to me, too
that's why i tested everything.
and yes, i use the same speakers, but that doesn't matter, because i cut them off and took a headphone and used the pro ject box as well as the 3.5mm jack on the NUC. and i switched of everything in the bios what wasn't needed.... 
and finally, yesterday, i found a way to not get the crackling, by using linux on a boot-stick..... so, no, i don't think anymore, it's the hardware.

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello Dave-Kay,  

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.   

In order to better assist you, please provide the following:  

1. Have you run all the Windows updates, including optional?

2. Try updating the graphics drivers:

- https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/30381/Intel-Graphics-Windows-10-DCH-Drivers?v=t

3. Try a installation of the audio driver:

- file: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29213/Realtek-High-Definition-Audio-Driver-for-Windows-10-64-bit-for-NUC10i7FN-NUC10i5FN-NUC10i3FN

4. Try to check for an HDMI firmware update:

- https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29779/HDMI-Firmware-Update-Tool-for-NUC10i3FN-NUC10i5FN-NUC10i7FN

5. Try a BIOS recovery:

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

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

6. Try a fresh installation of windows.

Best regards, 

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello Dave-Kay,

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

Regards,  

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician  

[Dave-Kay]

Hello DevidA
first of all, thanks for your help.

But then, i am pretty sure, al is up to date and the bios has not been corrupted.
I am trying to do all except the bios recovery anyway, in fact, the hdmi-update was allready done.

For the bios recovery what is to be expected? Is it risky?
which method should i try? Bios was updated last week due to the intel driver assistant telling me, that there is a new one.


and for the reinstallation, i am pretty sure, it won't resolve my problem, because after all, i have or had the problem on two different devices, the last of them with the ols installation, the newer one, with the old and a new installation.

kind regards
Kai

[Dave-Kay]

So, now everything is up to date, except for the bios recovery, i also tried erverything.
nothing helped and it is the seconde device.
only thing i am nout sure about anymore ist der powersupply´, because i tried the one, i thought i tried before, and the NUC couldn't boot all the way up. it stopped after trying to initialize the system. Bios went trhough and showed booting process, but in that moment, when the system is readying the graphics, it powered off.

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello Dave-Kay, 

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 

[Dave-Kay]

Thank you!

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello Dave-Kay, 

In order to help you further, I would like to confirm the following information:

​1. Is the issue only happening when the NUC is connected to the Project Prebox S2 digital?

2. Has the system been tested connected directly to a regular HDMI display?

3. What is the display model?

4. Do you get the same but connected to regular speakers?

Best regards,  

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[Dave-Kay]

Hello Deivid,

I unplugged the Prebox S2 and plugged in a Sony MDR-V700 to the front 3.5mm-connector.
The problem keeps appearing just as it was with the prebox.

earlier i tested this with HDMI-Audio and came to the same conclusion on a Samsung Syncmaster
Thanks for your help.

Kind regards
Kai

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello Dave-Kay, 

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 Dave-Kay, 

Based on our research and all the information provided, the best thing to do would be to get in contact with us directly a review the warranty options that we have for you.

You can use the link that works better for you:

- 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 

Regards,  

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician  

[SteveGuidi]

I have a similar issue with my NUC10i7FNH, but I suspect it is software/driver/codec related.  I did some experiments by playing a video and audio file through different players and noticed that some players didn't produce the cracking noise, while others did.

More information:

NUC10i7FNB Analog Audio: Periodic Crackle and Pops/Ticks - Intel Community