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When I first got this laptop earlier this year, the audio sounded great, due in large part to the subwoofer. (The headphone port, not so much.) But over the past few months, the audio has started exhibiting popping and clicking. Turning off the "MaxxAudioPro" audio processing helped some, but the problem remains. Any hints?
I also have Linux installed on this laptop, and the problem is almost entirely non-existent on that OS. So I'd assume that I'm looking at a Windows software problem...audio driver, maybe?
I've been saying this for a while. It is Windows 10 audio sampling and scheduler latency issue.
To help with the pops and crackles at the software level, you need to reduce your sampling quality in Windows' sound settings. Additionally, leaning out all the unnecessary processes Windows 10 likes to keep running in the background will help too.
Oh, and also, keeping your CPU running at full speed like a desktop will help too. So basically, set your power performance plan settings to maximum power settings and use ThrottleStop and set your SpeedShift EPP setting to 0 when plugged in. I notice mine crackles much worse when running on battery and the CPU is being dynamically controlled to conserve power/heat, etc. I've seen people suggesting to disable HT and such as well too.
Do you have right click delay and explorer opening delays as well when clicking the explorer folder on your taskbar from your desktop?
Unfortunately there is only so much you can do about driver latencies and hardware designs which also contribute to this in their own ways at lower levels.
In case anyone has similar problems, I found a fix for that mostly resolves the issue, as well as improving download speeds. There are two Windows services on these Inspirons called "SmartByte" and "Rivet" that are related to the so-called "Killer Networking" bundled with the laptop. Disabling both of these services greatly improved audio playback, as well as doubling my download speeds in Steam.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
