On my audio I hear a gounding sound

Question

My audio is not working properly. I hear a grounding sound. How to resolve this

Answer 1

Hi Nicole Bellemare,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I understand how frustrating it can be when your audio isn’t working properly and you hear a grounding or humming sound. I’m here to help you resolve this as quickly as possible.

In order to assist you more effectively, may I ask for the following information: 

• When did this issue first occur? (e.g., after a recent update, hardware change, or suddenly)
• Are you using headphones, external speakers, or built-in speakers?
• Does the sound occur continuously or only during specific activities (e.g., calls, playing media)?
• Is your device connected to power or running on battery when the issue occurs?

In the meantime, there are some steps you can try to troubleshoot this further:

Step 1: Ensure proper connections

Loose or faulty connections can cause interference.
Make sure all audio cables are firmly plugged in. If you’re using a 3.5mm jack, unplug and reconnect it securely. For USB audio devices, disconnect and reconnect them.

Step 2: Try a different port
A faulty port or interference can create noise.
Move your audio device to another audio jack or USB port. Avoid ports near power adapters or high-voltage cables to reduce interference.

Step 3: Reduce electrical interference
Power sources can introduce hum into audio signals.
Keep audio cables away from power cords. If you’re on a laptop, disconnect the charger and run on battery for a moment then see if the noise disappears.

Step 4: Update your audio drivers
Outdated drivers can cause audio issues.

• Press Windows + X, select Device Manager.
• Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
• Right-click your audio device > Update driver > choose Search automatically for drivers.

You can also download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website. If you’re unsure which driver to choose, you can share your device model and Windows version with me, I’ll help you identify the correct one.

Step 5: Disable audio enhancements
Audio enhancements sometimes conflict with hardware.

• Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Sound settings.
• Under Output, choose your audio device to open its properties.
• Scroll down to Advanced settings > Audio enhancements.
• Click the dropdown and select Off.

Step 6: Check grounding for external devices
Improper grounding can cause a persistent hum.
If you’re using external speakers or an amplifier, make sure they’re properly grounded. In some cases, a ground loop isolator (a small device that removes electrical hum) can help.

Please keep me posted on how it goes, and feel free to reach out if you need any further assistance. I'm here to help.

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