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High DPC latency from acpi.sys causing audio clicks and pops

Anonymous
2019-06-26T20:00:36+00:00

Has anyone found a definitive fix for this?  I am encountering an issue with DPC latency causing clicking and popping when trying to record using multi-track audio software (in my case Presonus StudioOne, but exact same issue reported by countless others I've read on other forums across the internet, with a wide range of DAW software on all manufacturers Windows notebooks). When using the LatencyMon utility, I consistently see "...reported DPC routine execution time" of 4100 or higher, from ACPI.sys activity.  Noises occur using either external audio interface, or onboard sound card (when left enabled)

My system:

Dell Precision 7730, Intel i7-8750H, 40G RAM, 3x M2 SSDs (OS, Projects, Samples)

Clean install of Windows 10 Pro, build 1903

Audio Interface: PreSonus Quantum 2 (Thunderbolt 2, connected via recommended/tested startech TB3->2 adapter)

What I've tried so far that has not resolved the issue:

Set power mode to "Best Performance, additional settings to Max everything, set Minimum processor state to 100%

Disable ACPI-Compliant Control Method battery in device manager

Update BIOS, all firmware and all drivers (seriously, have gone over with a fine-tooth comb. Really ALL, and have tried both Dell and original vendor for any where available)

In BIOS: 

Turned off C-states

Turn off Intel TurboBooost

Turn off Intel Speedstep

Turn off Intel Speed Shift

Set "thunderbolt adapter configuration" to "no security"

Uninstall "Intel Dynamic Platform & Thermal Framework"

Uninstall Bonjour, MaxxAudioPro, OneDrive, XBox Companion, Skype, Xbox Live, Microsoft Weather, Mail and Calendar, Solitaire, OneNote, Office, Paint3d, Print3d, Sticky Notes, Voice Recorder, Groove Music

bcdedit /set disabledynamictick yes (run cmd as administrator)

Install Latency-Mon and Process Lasso, observe that high DPC latency processes limited to cores 0, 2, and 10.  Set process affinity in Process Lasso for studioone.exe to avoid those cores.

Turn off "energy efficient ethernet" in advanced options of ethernet connection

Turn off "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" in power management tab for both ethernet and wireless nic

Set roaming aggressiveness to "lowest" for Wireless nic

Turn off "Link Power Management" in Intel Rapid storage technology 

Turn off Windows system sounds

Set Performance Options, adjust for best performance of Background Services

Performance Options -> Visual Effects "Adjust for best performance"

Advanced > Data Execution Prevention > ensured set for DEP for essential Windows programs and services only.

Settings->Privacy->Background Apps-> Let apps run in the background = Off

Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus Controllers > right-click on a "USB Root Hub" > Properties > Power Management > deselect "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" > press "OK." 

Device Manager -> Sound, Video and game controllers -> Disable "AMD High Definition Audio Device", "Intel Display Audio", and "Realtek(R) Audio"

Turn off "Allow downloads from other PCs" in windows update delivery optimization

In power & sleep, set both screen and sleep timeout to "never"

In power options-> system settings, set power button to "shutdown", remove sleep from shutdown settings

In power options ensure "Turn on Fast Startup" is deselected

Task Manager -> Startup -> Disable "Realtek HD Audio Universal Service"

Task Manager -> Startup -> Disable Waves MaxxAudio Service Application"

There are a rash of people returning or selling their Windows based notebooks, as this issue renders them nearly unusable for multitrack audio recording.  The clicking goes away if one raises the buffer size (nomenclature differs depending on software), but this makes the audio latency unusable for recording in sync with previous tracks.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-07-04T16:22:08+00:00

    Hi, as mentioned, the only solution I found working is disabling acpi.sys driver in Device Manager for working time, and Laptop in airplane mode. Drivers are all up to date.   

    Unbelievable though this issue is going on since ages, and even more frustrating is microsoft not addressing the problem, which makes me think it is a serious rewrite issue...

    I have a Clevo i7 with plenty of everything and DPC latency issue caused by ACPI drivers is there too. 

    but thank you in any case.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-05-28T12:58:16+00:00

    I had the same problem with Lenovo AIO 700 24 HS and Windows 10 1909. After hours of frustrating research and reading, I ended up realizing that I miss the NFC-Broadcom Proximity Device during the upgrade to 1909. I install the Lenovo driver for this device and my high ACPI interruptions went away. Now my system is running ok and the sound is perfect. 

    I also discovered that if you don't know what driver can be outdated and affecting your system, you can try this:

    Go to Device Manager-View-Device by connection-Under each device right click and click update driver. With luck, Windows could find a new driver for the offending device.

    I hope this can help anyone with this annoying problem.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-05-27T19:24:51+00:00

    Well said . Also avoid  Lenovo Legion Y530 i7 and Surface Go.  The DPC Latency is terrible and i've spend weeks trying to address the issues by following all sorts of advice from the so called 'independent advisors' , installing - reinstalling - rebooting

    • updating ,paying a lot of money to different website software 'troubleshooters', enteríng 'οfficial' forums etc. Those issues are around for long now but no one in Microsoft cares to address them. Also Lenovo sees the forums packed with complaints and there isn't a single piece of official advice. Probably they thing that who ever buys a laptop has to be a computer engineer. They get the money and we have to chase around the solutions for the problems. Frustrating and irritating. Now the Lenovo has  the so called 'blue screen'' . Microsoft is collecting data for days before it shuts down (if it shuts down)  but no direct   solution  . After wondering around the forums for weeks to find a solution I ve decided that Enough is Enought . This time I just threw it in the dustbin.

    I am also very frustrated. After 17 years of happy Mac Using without any problems with audio I thought let´s try something else. Hear ok things about Windows 10 and the Razer Laptops looked similar to older Macbooks. So I gave it a chance. Had a lot of fun with Pc gaming I have to admit. But than I bought Presonus Quantum Interface and got this weird crackles and Audio dropouts. Even at higher Buffers and everything nt needed turn off in the Task manager. I thinking I will end this experiment and buy a new Macbook Pro 16 and sell the Razer. Its bummer !

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-04-10T07:54:41+00:00

    Hi

    Im having the same issues with my Precison 7530.

    The two things that do help is disbaling the acpi battery and removing intel dynamic platform and thermal framework. That gets latency peak to less than 300, whoch im im giessing is about as good as i will get on a laptop (used to having much lower on a desktop but laptop is essential now). However, disabling the acpi battery also stops the nvidea t1000 workong propely and i cannot use the hdmi out with a dual monitor. Dont suppose anyone knows a workaround for this?

    The reason i got this model (used) is that it had 3 nvme slots (i use one for system, one for samples and one for data - combined is over 2tb). It also has a touchscreen, which is essential to control my soundcraft ui24r mixer. Does anyone know of an alternative laptop that has touchscrren, at least 2 nvme slots and has low dpc latency?

    Thanks

    Mark

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-02-27T14:25:32+00:00

    I write just to say thank you!

    Your solution seems to help me too with the same issue.. I was going slightly mad 🙃

    I have to say I'm really disappointed by Dell and it's support, I almost missed my macbook but I don't think it's a Windows problem.

    Won't buy any Dell in the future for sure, I'll try to understand which is the best manufacturer for music production.

    Thanks again

    Have a nice day

    Marco

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