Crackling or distorted noises coming from a sound card are usually the result of one of three possible issues: driver compatibility, hardware malfunction, or electrical interference. Let’s take a look at each one and discuss how it could be the root of the problem.
Driver Compatibility
First, check to make sure your sound card driver is up to date. Most sound cards will ship with a driver that works most of the time, but sometimes older drivers can cause audio problems. If this is the case, you can download the latest driver for your sound card from the manufacturer’s website and install it. Before doing so, it’s recommended that you uninstall any existing sound card drivers that may be installed on your system.
Older operating systems like Windows XP also have a tendency to have difficulty with certain sound cards due to outdated drivers or operating system bugs. Updating your operating system to the latest patch will often solve this type of problem.
Hardware Malfunction
If the driver is up to date, it’s possible that the sound card itself is malfunctioning. When this happens, you may hear crackling or popping noises coming from the card. To determine if this is the case, try connecting another audio device to your PC, such as headphones or speakers. If you still hear the same noise coming out of the device, then it’s likely that the sound card is the issue.
To confirm, you can test the sound card in another computer and see if the same issue occurs. If the problem goes away, then there is a good chance that the sound card is faulty and needs to be replaced.
Electrical Interference
Another possible cause of distorted or crackling noises coming from a sound card is electrical interference. This is typically caused by a nearby electronic device or power cord emitting a type of electromagnetic radiation that is interfering with the sound card’s signal.
To determine if this is the case, unplug any nearby devices such as monitors, printers and power cords and see if the noise persists. If the noise does not go away, then it’s possible that the interference is coming from outside of your computer. In this case, you should move the computer to a different area to see if the noise goes away.
Conclusion
These are the three most common causes of distorted or crackling noises coming from a sound card. While the root of the issue is usually one of these three scenarios, there are other potential causes that should be considered as well. If none of the above solutions work, then it’s best to consult with a professional to diagnose the issue.