Audio issues after win11 25h2 update

Question

Audio issues after win11 25h2 update

Henry Jasinski 120

Audio issues after recent update to win 11 25h2. I get a click or pop before a new email notification sound, when I delete emails, etc. The popping sound also happens when I open up a youtube video or any other video saved on my PC. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING!! I tried deleting and updating the Realtek audio driver and it comes back saying I have the highest level driver. NEVER had this issue with win 10!!!

StrikerTheHedgefox 25 Reputation points

2025-10-31T19:49:06.64+00:00

I'm getting this problem too, but I don't have a realtek card. I don't have a solution yet. I regret updating Windows now.
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-10-31T21:11:34.2666667+00:00

Sorry to hear that---it's an issue with powering the sound/speakers on every time you need to use it and then Windows turns it off when not in use---not sure what driver you are using for your sound card, but try uninstalling the device and when prompted make sure you check the box that says attempt to remove the driver. Then restart your computer---hope this helps, because microsoft's suggestions suck!!
StrikerTheHedgefox 25 Reputation points

2025-11-01T03:35:35.6366667+00:00

No such luck.
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-01T13:30:49.93+00:00

Microsoft states they know about the audio issues with the upgrade and there is no fix as of yet---you can try to do a system restore to get your self to the previous level/date where you did not have the problem but even their security updates have fixes that cause issues---good luck!!
Jouni Hulkkonen 20 Reputation points

2025-11-02T14:52:27.1433333+00:00

I have the same issue. My audio is distorted, i get crackling, popping, you name it. I'm on a desktop PC that i've built myself.

I've tried two different headphones, a wireless 2.4Ghz headset, 4 different audio sources (Integrated sound card, Audioquest Dragonfly Black USB Dac, Sound Blaster Z PCI-E sound card and the Steelseries Arctis 7 2019 wireless headset) and every troubleshooting method i could find online. Nothing works. No disabling audio enhancenments, switching sample rates, disabling application control, restarting services, updating drivers, changing power management whatever. Nothing works.

Microsoft just broke the audio with 25H2. It is horrible, like i cannot listen to music. Certain songs cause horrible popping, distortion and crackling. For example Mass Effect - Vigil, Mass Effect - Spectre Introduction and Uncharted Worlds. The source doesn't matter where you listen to it, be it Spotify, Youtube or whatever.

Microsoft please if you are reading this, i beg you... Please fix this. I know even doing a full re-install or reset won't fix it, because it is a problem with 25H2 update. I had 23H2 before and i didn't have any issues with audio. It is broken in the very source before it reaches all drivers or something.
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-02T15:50:29.2333333+00:00

You may want to try this to get back to the date that your system was working OK---https://www.supportyourtech.com/articles/how-to-do-a-system-restore-on-windows-11-a-step-by-step-guide/---
The Great Buran 115 Reputation points

2025-11-03T05:53:58.17+00:00

it was changes to windows audio substack, it controls it all. Reguardless of driver, every PC has this issue. Many are too ignorant to notice or care, but its ruined gaming for many. POP* Door open Click*
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-03T16:50:54.59+00:00

Yes, very annoying---it's definitely a Usoft problem---
M G 15 Reputation points

2025-11-11T03:16:48.0966667+00:00

The problem is after whatever update ms issued for win11, it took away the power management tab for the audio drivers. It used to be there, not any more. That was where you could turn off letting windows turn the driver on and off that caused the popping noise just before any sound was needing to be heard because the driver was in power saving mode and then woken up.

I had tried multiple older drivers from Realtek and did find one that was not affected and stayed on full time, but the downside was the audio was of a diminished quality and sounded like listening to an old 9v pocket transistor radio. After that a generic ms driver did work for a while, but another scheduled update later and it bumped to a new Realtek one and the annoying pops came back.

The simple solution is for ms to put the power management tab back for all of us who paid them for it. But that makes too much sense and would go against them leaving things alone and not messing with what was working just fine to begin with before they screwed it all up.
The Great Buran 115 Reputation points

2025-11-12T15:39:43.5833333+00:00

M G, Its actually how microsoft deals with Power for the audio substack and its latency. Was changed in 2023. Windows 11 is not officially unusable for AUDIO, Issue is not present on linux.
M G 15 Reputation points

2025-11-12T17:29:22.46+00:00

T G B, I still had the power management tab at the beginning of this year, 2025. As mentioned, an update took it away. If changed in 2023, I was unaffected until this year. Can't tell you how or why, it just was what it was and I was still able to deny windows of controlling my audio's driver power usage until they took that away from me.
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-12T17:45:26.3966667+00:00

Everyone on this post can just give up until Usoft comes up with a fix---unfortunately, they DO NOT have anyone that can come up with a solution or they just don't care!!! If a PC is in shut down, WHY would Windows turn off power to the audio???????? And you get the infamous CLICK before the PC turns off!!! Their engineers are worthless!!!!
Daniel Brodrick 5 Reputation points

2025-11-25T19:08:54.39+00:00

I have a Dell latitude 5300 amd ever since I updated to windows 11 25H2,my audio has refused to fuction,I have tried all the fixes I know and had been recommend,yet nothing is working,I have even reset my PC yet the issue is still persisting,please if you are reading this,please help this is so annoying,I need my audio please
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-25T21:47:50.22+00:00

Welcome to the club!! It's been over a month and still NO FIX from Usoft!!!!
Federico 5 Reputation points

2025-12-06T14:59:55.85+00:00

Same issue on my hp zbook ultra with scarlett2i2 4th gen. Audio is unusable after 25h2. Uninstall reinstall don't work. Please fix asap.
EAX 10 Reputation points

2025-12-08T20:58:01.5066667+00:00

Had the same issue.

sick and tired of these insane bugs, ive rerolled to Windows 10 22H2 and killed every single Window Update, including the broken Windows Defender Updates, as they seem to be root cause for malfunctioning audio devices.

gave me 30% more FPS in games, less network issues and especially no more sound issues.

only encounter soundpops when no sound was playing back before.

however i also no longer have insane lag using the master volume slider in the taskbar etc…
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-12-08T21:58:41.4866667+00:00

I may just go to a different OS such as Linux. No one should force you to install updates that break your machine! I could imagine all the money spent on machines just so they are supported by Windows 11, nothing really wrong with your old Win 10 box and now you have an OS that does not work and a brand new PC that also does not work!! In the early days of Windows you could tailor the OS to your needs and did NOT have updates that you are forced to install---you basically installed them at your leisure or not install at all!! Anybody contact Gates on this???
EAX 10 Reputation points

2025-12-09T07:43:20.3966667+00:00

Yeah i also have a Linux distro running at this point and only a small SSD for windows.

not just is it easier to navigate in terms of systemsettings but audio devices work accordingly.

Windows 11 literally carries almost every single audio issue from Windows Vista right into Win11 and they havent really reworked the entire mess of Audio.

including audiopops, i remember that was a thing in Windows XP already with Soundcards.

But the issues that are inside of W11 are def. annoying.

let alone the whole mess of audio enhancements and virtual surround, as hidden and inaccessible everything is in this clunky OS, constantly changing these settings aint any fun.

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5 additional answers

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StrikerTheHedgefox 25 Reputation points

2025-10-31T19:49:06.64+00:00

I'm getting this problem too, but I don't have a realtek card. I don't have a solution yet. I regret updating Windows now.
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-10-31T21:11:34.2666667+00:00

Sorry to hear that---it's an issue with powering the sound/speakers on every time you need to use it and then Windows turns it off when not in use---not sure what driver you are using for your sound card, but try uninstalling the device and when prompted make sure you check the box that says attempt to remove the driver. Then restart your computer---hope this helps, because microsoft's suggestions suck!!
StrikerTheHedgefox 25 Reputation points

2025-11-01T03:35:35.6366667+00:00

No such luck.
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-01T13:30:49.93+00:00

Microsoft states they know about the audio issues with the upgrade and there is no fix as of yet---you can try to do a system restore to get your self to the previous level/date where you did not have the problem but even their security updates have fixes that cause issues---good luck!!
Jouni Hulkkonen 20 Reputation points

2025-11-02T14:52:27.1433333+00:00

I have the same issue. My audio is distorted, i get crackling, popping, you name it. I'm on a desktop PC that i've built myself.

I've tried two different headphones, a wireless 2.4Ghz headset, 4 different audio sources (Integrated sound card, Audioquest Dragonfly Black USB Dac, Sound Blaster Z PCI-E sound card and the Steelseries Arctis 7 2019 wireless headset) and every troubleshooting method i could find online. Nothing works. No disabling audio enhancenments, switching sample rates, disabling application control, restarting services, updating drivers, changing power management whatever. Nothing works.

Microsoft just broke the audio with 25H2. It is horrible, like i cannot listen to music. Certain songs cause horrible popping, distortion and crackling. For example Mass Effect - Vigil, Mass Effect - Spectre Introduction and Uncharted Worlds. The source doesn't matter where you listen to it, be it Spotify, Youtube or whatever.

Microsoft please if you are reading this, i beg you... Please fix this. I know even doing a full re-install or reset won't fix it, because it is a problem with 25H2 update. I had 23H2 before and i didn't have any issues with audio. It is broken in the very source before it reaches all drivers or something.
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-02T15:50:29.2333333+00:00

You may want to try this to get back to the date that your system was working OK---https://www.supportyourtech.com/articles/how-to-do-a-system-restore-on-windows-11-a-step-by-step-guide/---
The Great Buran 115 Reputation points

2025-11-03T05:53:58.17+00:00

it was changes to windows audio substack, it controls it all. Reguardless of driver, every PC has this issue. Many are too ignorant to notice or care, but its ruined gaming for many. POP* Door open Click*
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-03T16:50:54.59+00:00

Yes, very annoying---it's definitely a Usoft problem---
M G 15 Reputation points

2025-11-11T03:16:48.0966667+00:00

The problem is after whatever update ms issued for win11, it took away the power management tab for the audio drivers. It used to be there, not any more. That was where you could turn off letting windows turn the driver on and off that caused the popping noise just before any sound was needing to be heard because the driver was in power saving mode and then woken up.

I had tried multiple older drivers from Realtek and did find one that was not affected and stayed on full time, but the downside was the audio was of a diminished quality and sounded like listening to an old 9v pocket transistor radio. After that a generic ms driver did work for a while, but another scheduled update later and it bumped to a new Realtek one and the annoying pops came back.

The simple solution is for ms to put the power management tab back for all of us who paid them for it. But that makes too much sense and would go against them leaving things alone and not messing with what was working just fine to begin with before they screwed it all up.
The Great Buran 115 Reputation points

2025-11-12T15:39:43.5833333+00:00

M G, Its actually how microsoft deals with Power for the audio substack and its latency. Was changed in 2023. Windows 11 is not officially unusable for AUDIO, Issue is not present on linux.
M G 15 Reputation points

2025-11-12T17:29:22.46+00:00

T G B, I still had the power management tab at the beginning of this year, 2025. As mentioned, an update took it away. If changed in 2023, I was unaffected until this year. Can't tell you how or why, it just was what it was and I was still able to deny windows of controlling my audio's driver power usage until they took that away from me.
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-12T17:45:26.3966667+00:00

Everyone on this post can just give up until Usoft comes up with a fix---unfortunately, they DO NOT have anyone that can come up with a solution or they just don't care!!! If a PC is in shut down, WHY would Windows turn off power to the audio???????? And you get the infamous CLICK before the PC turns off!!! Their engineers are worthless!!!!
Daniel Brodrick 5 Reputation points

2025-11-25T19:08:54.39+00:00

I have a Dell latitude 5300 amd ever since I updated to windows 11 25H2,my audio has refused to fuction,I have tried all the fixes I know and had been recommend,yet nothing is working,I have even reset my PC yet the issue is still persisting,please if you are reading this,please help this is so annoying,I need my audio please
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-25T21:47:50.22+00:00

Welcome to the club!! It's been over a month and still NO FIX from Usoft!!!!
Federico 5 Reputation points

2025-12-06T14:59:55.85+00:00

Same issue on my hp zbook ultra with scarlett2i2 4th gen. Audio is unusable after 25h2. Uninstall reinstall don't work. Please fix asap.
EAX 10 Reputation points

2025-12-08T20:58:01.5066667+00:00

Had the same issue.

sick and tired of these insane bugs, ive rerolled to Windows 10 22H2 and killed every single Window Update, including the broken Windows Defender Updates, as they seem to be root cause for malfunctioning audio devices.

gave me 30% more FPS in games, less network issues and especially no more sound issues.

only encounter soundpops when no sound was playing back before.

however i also no longer have insane lag using the master volume slider in the taskbar etc…
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-12-08T21:58:41.4866667+00:00

I may just go to a different OS such as Linux. No one should force you to install updates that break your machine! I could imagine all the money spent on machines just so they are supported by Windows 11, nothing really wrong with your old Win 10 box and now you have an OS that does not work and a brand new PC that also does not work!! In the early days of Windows you could tailor the OS to your needs and did NOT have updates that you are forced to install---you basically installed them at your leisure or not install at all!! Anybody contact Gates on this???
EAX 10 Reputation points

2025-12-09T07:43:20.3966667+00:00

Yeah i also have a Linux distro running at this point and only a small SSD for windows.

not just is it easier to navigate in terms of systemsettings but audio devices work accordingly.

Windows 11 literally carries almost every single audio issue from Windows Vista right into Win11 and they havent really reworked the entire mess of Audio.

including audiopops, i remember that was a thing in Windows XP already with Soundcards.

But the issues that are inside of W11 are def. annoying.

let alone the whole mess of audio enhancements and virtual surround, as hidden and inaccessible everything is in this clunky OS, constantly changing these settings aint any fun.

Answer 1

Henry Jasinski 120

In case any one needs to know, I had to roll back the RealTek audio driver back to a 2017 level to get the PC working again. Then, Usoft comes up with some sort of update that downloads updated RealTek drivers and it brought me back to the same level I had that had the problem! I uninstalled the driver, restarted the system and now I have a Usoft driver that installed itself as a high definition audio driver in place of the RealTek driver. It appears to have solved the issue!! Time will tell!

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Answer 2

Anonymous

Dear Henry Jasinski,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Forum.

I understand your frustration with the audio popping or clicking sounds occurring before notification tones, when deleting emails, or when starting videos on your Windows 11 25H2 system, particularly since this did not occur on Windows 10.

You could try following these steps below to solve this issue:

Run the built-in audio troubleshooter:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Locate "Playing Audio" and select Run.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to apply any recommended fixes.
- Restart your system and test for the popping sound.
Disable audio enhancement and exclusive mode:
- Right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar and select "Sound settings."
- Scroll down and click on "More sound settings."
- Go to the "Playback" tab.
- Right-click your default Realtek audio device (with the green checkmark) and select Properties.
- Go to the "Enhancements" tab (or it might be under an "Advanced" tab or named "Signal Enhancements").
- Check the box that says "Disable all enhancements" or "Disable all sound effects."
- Click Apply, then OK. Test if the popping persists.
Change power management settings for audio devices:
- Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
- Expand the "Sound, video and game controllers" section.
- Right-click on your Realtek audio device and select Properties.
- Look for a "Power Management" tab. If it exists, go to it.
- Uncheck the box that says "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."
- Click OK.
- You can also expand the "System devices" section in Device Manager. Look for an entry like "High Definition Audio Controller" (or similar). Right-click it, go to Properties > Power Management (if available), and uncheck the power-saving option there too.
- Restart your computer.
Install manufacturer-specific drivers:
- Download the latest audio driver specifically listed for your computer model and Windows 11 from your PC manufacturer's support website.
- Press Windows + X, select Device manager > Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click your Realtek device and select "Uninstall device."
- Crucially, check the box that says "Attempt to remove the driver for this device." Click Uninstall.
- Restart your computer.
- After restarting, run the installer for the manufacturer's driver you downloaded.

I hope this could help. If you have any further issues, I'm very happy to assist.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-10-23T00:41:14.49+00:00

None of your suggestions solved the issue!
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StrikerTheHedgefox 25 Reputation points

2025-10-31T19:50:34.3433333+00:00

He said it didn't resolve the issue...

Still hasn't resolved it for me either.
Pavitra Pires 5 Reputation points

2025-10-31T21:20:59.5466667+00:00

Having the same issue since the update. Its extremely annoying.
StrikerTheHedgefox 25 Reputation points

2025-11-01T03:29:09.69+00:00

Aye, not only does the audio pop, but the channels from left to right randomly flip themselves.
Niewerth, Martin 25 Reputation points

2025-11-11T16:27:05.81+00:00

What is the point of this troubleshooting? Ever since I installed version 25H2 and tried to use one of the troubleshooting tools, I get the message "No app is associated with this file to perform the action. Install or create an app..." when I start the troubleshooting process. Which app am I supposed to install?
M G 15 Reputation points

2025-11-12T17:44:51.7033333+00:00

Hey Bryan-V, there is no power management setting any more. That is what USED to allow one to stop the popping and clicking, but not any more because microsoft removed it. You say "if it exists", so you must know something. Since you're an external staff at microsoft, tell you bosses to put it back in so that we can control what we paid for.
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-12T18:08:48.5366667+00:00

They will not let you control your PC because they know what's best for your PC!! Remember, they are forcing you to have Microsoft Edge, Onedrive, etc. on your system whether you like it or not, even if you don't intend to use it--you cannot uninstall it and you still get updates for features you do NOT use!! WHY is that if your system belongs to you??? The external staff most likely has just as much or more knowledge than the internal staff, but to be honest, they are both brain dead. In the old days, you were able to tailor your operating system to your needs---install features that you can use and not install crap that you do not have any intention of using at that time. You had this option of doing so on a operating system upgrade. Nowadays, you will like what we give you!!!
EAX 10 Reputation points

2025-12-03T17:27:55.2333333+00:00

I got the same issue.

at first it infected my Creative Soundblaster Z Card, which led me directly to install Linux because i cant handle this garbage Audio Bug anymore.

guess what? All devices functional without pops, no audiolag and proper 3D sound.

after trying alot i figured my Nvidia Audio via Display was not infected by this bug on Win11.

today a security update 3.12.2025applied and now my Nvidia Audio is also broken and infected.

distorted audio, insane lag, broken 3D Audio, pressure building inside the ears.

what is going on here?

i was able to restart my system 10 times and had one time working audio.

if i just select the mastervolume and change it in the audio taskbar it takes an entire second to make a sound.

these sound issues are extremly unhealthy for me as the pressure inside the ears cause health sickness too.
Robert Logue 0 Reputation points

2025-12-22T23:32:55.1+00:00

My new PC has audio glitches as well. I was on 24H2. Troubleshooter didn't fix. The audio device is class 1 and needs no drivers. Built in audio also glitches.

I did some other troubleshooting but one of the recommendations accidently bumped me up to 25H2. Can't go back becqause the windows.old file got erased the next day!

So, then I tried Co-pilot. It gave me all kinds of tips and said MS knows about the problem. Nothing helps.

I am totally blind. I need this to work! Linux is not an option for me.
EAX 10 Reputation points

2025-12-23T07:58:55.09+00:00

I personally ended up disabling Windows Ransomware and Exploit Protection.

both were responsible for massive Soundblaster Z bugs and after purchasing Soundblaster AE5 plus, the issue just was less obvious but still existed.

also found a creative support article stating problems with the Windows Security.

basicly they recommend adding exceptions for Soundblaster Command, however, Windows is uncapable of notifying any users when it partialls blocks/breaks usersystem functionality and since thats the case, i turned it off entirely.

Answer 3

The Great Buran 115

This issue cannot be fixed, It was introduced in early 2023. In both 11 and 10.

I Have yet to run into a windows machine where its audio doesn't pop and crackle when pausing or the end of certain audio frequencies.

Tried 10+ PCs (I do PC Repairs)

in different properties

Different drivers

Different peripherals.

No changes to bios or power management/PCI link will fix this.

Move to linux, I have had enough of Windows focusing on AI while their OS has become unusable for many games with audio for nearly 3 years. They butchered the sub stack.

Windows engineers will try and reinstall drivers and change your power management, then tell you, your Hardware is faulty.

What is every PC faulty now?

Just poor effort from MS.

Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-03T17:09:42.2733333+00:00

It's definitely a power management issue---Windows turns on the power to the audio when used and you hear the pop/click and then it turns it off soon enough if audio is not used again---according to Dell, the RealTek Driver is not compatible with my machine but that is what Win11 forces to install---again, the updates for win11 24h2 and 25h2 created the issue because I did not have the problem under 23h2---when I rolled back the RealTek driver it got changed to a Usoft driver---driver date 3/22/25 version 10.0.26100.3624---this driver appears to work until you turn the PC off---while it shuts down you will hear the pop/click right before it goes off---why the hell does Usoft wants to turn off the power off to the audio right before the machine shuts down is beyond me---I worked as a computer engineer for 25 years and there would of been a lot of people fired for crap like this happening to our end users!!!
The Great Buran 115 Reputation points

2025-11-03T20:43:36.8066667+00:00

Annoying part is, no Driver fixes this. and its been a problem for 3 years.
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-04T02:29:38.4733333+00:00

What's really annoying is the solutions that the Usoft staff suggest!!
The Great Buran 115 Reputation points

2025-11-12T15:41:03.9366667+00:00

Yes they gaslight you into saying its faulty hardware, MS support costed me over £2000 in thee past few years with hardware. Came to accept the company has fell of in quality, Will be moving to steamOS

Answer 4

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Answer 5

JosephT71 9,210

Popping sound is mostly related to power management when the audio chip "wakes" up from sleep. As laptops get thinner and thinner, they have to get more aggressive in forcing everything not currently using to sleep. So to "fix" your problem, go through everything related to power management - from BIOS update to chipset driver update to audio driver update to windows os update to dialing the os power management to a lesser aggressive mode.

Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-01T20:01:54.3+00:00

Yes it's a power management issue created by the upgrade---same issue on desktop PC's---except I have nothing turning off or going to sleep---just another annoyance created by Microsoft---
Henry Jasinski 120 Reputation points

2025-11-01T20:21:29.04+00:00

It's not the issue as you state---I am running Winn11 server edition on a Dell 5820 that gets updated constantly by Dell---Microsoft forces you to install updates that do not work and causes all kinds of issues---I was at win 11 24H2 and everything was fine until Microsoft made me go to 24H2 (repair version) and then 25H2---that's when the issue started---Microsoft's update system sucks because again, you are forced to download updates that destroy your PC---
The Great Buran 115 Reputation points

2025-11-12T15:43:05.2033333+00:00

You basically are repeating what Microsoft says. "nEw DriVeRs"

Bruh every PC no matter driver or DAC will have this issue. been a issue for nearly 3 years. No matter mobo or bios or driver or power management.

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Audio issues after win11 25h2 update

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