How to discontinue a faint sputtering noise on Windows 11

Question

A sputtering sound runs most of the time in the background on my desktop computer, even when I think I have shut down the computer.

Answer 1

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

Based on your description, it appears that your device is not performing a full shutdown; instead, it is entering a low-power standby state or hibernation mode.

Could you please confirm whether you are using a desktop or a laptop?

Shut down your computer completely and unplug the AC power cord. Then check whether you still hear the noise. The sound could be coming from the fan, the speakers, or a failing hard drive. It does not seem to be a software-related problem.

If that is the case, you will need to contact your PC manufacturer and send the device in for service. They will inspect the device and determine the root cause of the issue.

If possible, please run a UEFI hardware diagnostics test on all components and check whether the test passes. If it fails, you can share the error code with the manufacturer’s support team, who should be able to help resolve the issue more quickly.

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Answer 2

Follow these steps in Windows 11 to rule out and fix audio-related causes of the faint sputtering noise:

1. Run the Windows audio troubleshooter
   1. Open the Get Help app and run the automated audio troubleshooter for sound issues. It will diagnose and attempt to fix common audio problems.
   2. If it does not resolve the issue, continue with the steps below.
2. Check which device is outputting sound
   1. Select the Speakers icon on the taskbar.
   2. Select the arrow to the right of the volume slider (Select a sound output).
   3. Make sure the correct speakers or headphones are selected and test whether the sputtering persists when switching outputs.
3. Turn off audio enhancements
   1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   2. Under Output, select the active audio device.
   3. Select Audio enhancements.
   4. Turn off enhancements and listen to see if the sputtering stops.
4. Change the default audio format
   1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   2. Under Output, select the audio device.
   3. Select Advanced.
   4. Under Default format, choose a different format and test the sound. Try several formats to see if any remove the sputtering.
5. Update or reinstall the audio driver
   1. Select Start, type Device Manager, and open it.
   2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
   3. Right-click the audio device and select Update driver, then restart the PC and test.
   4. If the issue continues, right-click the audio device again, select Uninstall device, restart the PC, and let Windows reinstall the driver.
   5. If sputtering persists, install the latest audio driver from the PC or motherboard manufacturer’s support site and test again.
6. Restart Windows audio services
   1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
   2. Right-click Windows Audio and select Restart.
   3. Right-click Windows Audio Endpoint Builder and select Restart.
   4. Confirm both services have Startup type set to Automatic, then test the audio.
7. Apply pending Windows updates and restart
   1. Save work and close apps.
   2. Select Start > Power.
   3. If available, choose Update and restart or Update and shut down to apply audio-related updates.
   4. After restart, check whether the sputtering noise is gone.

If the noise continues even when Windows is shut down and the power supply is still switched on at the wall, the sound is likely from hardware (for example, power supply, fans, or motherboard components) rather than Windows audio. In that case, contact the PC or motherboard manufacturer for hardware diagnostics.

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References:

• Fix sound or audio problems in Windows
• Fix distorted or crackling audio in Windows
• Fix low or quiet sound in Windows