audio lag starts and worsens with time

issue seems mostly resolved. it still creeps up here and there, but for the most part it seems fine now. What seemed to fix it was the restore point. sorry it took a long time to reply, life hasn't been the nicest to me in the past couple of days.

PS: I understand you didn't recommend a full reset as a last resort, but it is what I keep as a last resort. Everything else comes before it, so no worries.

Hi NK. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP specializing in installation, performance, troubleshooting and activation, here to help you.

First try these specfiic fixes for audio lag in Windows 10:

https://wethegeek.com/easy-and-effective-ways-t...

https://www.diskinternals.com/uneraser/audio-la...

https://neosmart.net/wiki/fixing-latency-and-de...

https://windowsreport.com/audio-lagging (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro and Reimage ads)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjD3dmlgcoo

I'll give you all possible solutions for Sound problems in order of priority, so please try any you've already tried again in order. If you have any problems performing any steps I'll be standing by here to help you.

1. See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem began following this guide: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...

System Restore is your first line of defense and can take you back to a point before a problem began. If it doesn't help then you can undo it. Read about it first in the tutorial above and then try restoring to just before this started.

If the problem repeats or System Restore doesn't work then check which Windows Updates were installed at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update History, uninstall them there or System Restore again, then immediately check for and block the Updates with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninsta...

2. Update the sound driver from the PC or device maker's Support Downloads webpage for your exact model, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag. Go into Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button, compare to make sure you also have the latest BIOS, Chipset, Display, Network and all other drivers.

If necessary try installing the driver in Safe Mode with Networking (so you have internet), or Safe Mode, accessed by one of these methods: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...

3. Restore the Windows Audio Service which may have become disabled: https://troubleshooter.xyz/wiki/fix-audio-servi...
4. Next try these checklists:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/help/402699...

https://www.howtogeek.com/443702/how-to-fix-sou...

Also reset the prompt to ask for which device was plugged in here:

https://windowsreport.com/you-just-plugged-unpl...

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Audio/En...

https://www.dell.com/community/Windows-10/How-g...

5. Right click Volume icon in System Tray, choose Sound Settings, from the Output and Input devices dropdown menus, choose then one(s) affected to see if that helps. If not use the Troubleshoot button nearby.
6. Run the Playing Sound troubleshooter at Start button > Settings>Update & Security>Troubleshoot.
7. Try rolling back the sound drivers in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button. Choose Sound controller and other audio devices, then Driver tab, then Roll back if available.

If no newer sound drivers then uninstall the one presently installed in Device Manager, reached by right clicking the Start Button. Restart PC to reinstall.

Try other and older drivers for your model Sound controller, too. For example, try the next oldest driver in the model's online Support Downloads list. To try all previous drivers installed on your system, in Device Manager choose Sound controller's Driver tab, then Update Driver, then Browse, then Let Me Pick.

Finally, try installing the latest Sound driver in Compatibility Mode as shown here:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/win...

8. Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

9. If nothing else helps then run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This solves many problems and will also bring it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-10/m...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

ok, I may as well give an update on where I am in the checklist here given.

For the 4 websites listed above the video, I have done the checklists given, excluding resetting my PC and using the promoted software. Each time seemed to solve the issue for five seconds before the issue persists.

The video. Tried what they suggested. however it being the same thing as what the websites said, was not the same result. Sometimes now video is upwards to 5 seconds behind audio, or ahead. this goes for both offline and online videos.

Currently trying system restore.

(Also, note I did try updating windows to the newest cumulative update before reading checklist, also did not work.)

hopefully issue will be resolved before it comes to having to reset the pc ( as I don't like doing that, takes a few weeks to even get it back to semi normal after a reset (and I did have to reset the pc in the past before))

will keep updating once every 1 or 2 days on my progress.

Thanks for keeping me Updated. But I did not recommend reinstalling WIndows via the Reset or Clean Install which are the only destructive installs. Instead as a last resort I suggest doing a Repair Install which I specified keeps files, apps and most settings in place while reinstalling WIndows, takes less than an hour, and solves most problems.

Keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until the case is resolved.