Audio started to stutter while gaming. Before that it was perfect

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

It seems like you are experiencing audio stuttering issues while gaming. This can be frustrating, but there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the problem:

1. Update your audio drivers: Even though you mentioned that you have checked for updates, it's worth double-checking if there are any newer drivers available for your audio device. You can visit the manufacturer's website or use a driver update utility to ensure you have the latest drivers installed.
2. Check for conflicting applications: Sometimes, certain applications or background processes can interfere with the audio playback. Try closing any unnecessary applications running in the background and see if the issue persists.
3. Adjust audio settings: Open the Sound settings in Windows and make sure the audio playback settings are correctly configured. You can try adjusting the default format, sample rate, or disabling any enhancements to see if it makes a difference.
4. Disable audio enhancements: Some audio enhancements, such as sound effects or spatial sound, can cause compatibility issues and lead to audio stuttering. Disable any enhancements and test if the problem persists. Right-click on the speaker icon in the system tray located at the bottom right corner of the screen. From the context menu, select "Sounds" to open the Sound settings window. In the Sound settings window, navigate to the "Playback" tab. Select the audio device you want to disable enhancements for (e.g., speakers or headphones) and click on the "Properties" button. In the Speaker Properties window, go to the "Enhancements" tab. Check the box next to "Disable all enhancements" to disable all audio enhancements for the selected device. Click on the "Apply" button, and then click "OK" to save the changes. Close the Sound settings window.
5. Test with different audio devices: If possible, try using a different pair of headphones or speakers to see if the issue is specific to your current audio device. This can help determine if the problem lies with the hardware or software.
6. Check for overheating: Overheating can cause performance issues in both the CPU and GPU, which may indirectly affect audio playback. Ensure that your computer's cooling system is working properly and that the components are not overheating during gameplay.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, it might be worth considering a hardware upgrade, such as adding more RAM or upgrading your graphics card, as your current setup is slightly older.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any further updates, thanks.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hi

Thanks for your reply.

Do you have the same problem if you use other apps to watch videos? Such as using a browser to watch videos etc

.

I actually upgraded my hardwarea year back, I had:

i3 2nd gen

6gb ram

gt 730 2 gb

now its:

i7 - 3770

8 Gb Ram

r9 380 4Gb GPU

250 Gig SSD

and 1 Tb External HDD

Hi

Thanks for your reply.

If you try all of the above, the problem remains. Then the problem can not be ruled out is caused by background program interference. You can perform a clean boot to check for any three-way program interference.

Disclaimer: A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background service is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem. These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by step so that it will help you get back on track.

not on browser stuff or videos on VLC player or youtube, its just games. like if you say that the hardware is old, but i gotta ask that i used to play PUBG, Genshin, Nikke and Borderlands 3 on my i3 2nd gen gt730 without any issue (obvi didnt get full 60 FPS but I can play it). and Right now even the lightest game shows this problem of stturing, like Rightnow apart from payday 2, Genshin, Honkai Star rail. PUBG, Nikke have same problem, you can see that Shadow Tactics Blades of Shogun is not that demanding of a game but still it shows the same problem for audio and stutturing. when I upgraded my PC I played Borderlands 3, Elden Ring GTA 5 and other heavy games and there were no problem, ive reinstalled the windows but still no avail.