Fix Audio Static in Windows 10 Permanently in 6 Easy Steps

Check easy-to-follow solutions for quick troubleshooting

Fix » Windows 10

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by Ivan Jenic 

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Key notes

  • Static audio on Windows 10 is an unpleasant issue that can be caused by outdated drivers.
  • Another possible cause of this problem is the wrong power settings and plan.
  • A simple yet effective fix to this issue is to change the Minimum processor state.
fix static noise in Windows 10 11

Static audio is one of the few annoying things you notice if the sound is not working well in Windows 10. This problem can be down to various factors, from hardware faults to software issues.

Irrespective of the cause, this guide will show you to fix this and restore your audio quality permanently.

Why am I getting static audio on Windows 10?

When you get static or sometimes buzzing noise on your PC, it could be because of the following reasons.

  • Wrong power setting – If you get static audio on the Realtek driver on Windows 10, it could be because your power setting is not optimized. The fix is to choose the high-performance power option.
  • Outdated chipset driver – If you are wondering Why does my audio sound static?, outdated drivers could be the underlying cause. You can solve this by updating the drivers from your PC’s manufacturer’s website.
  • Wrong sound format – Some users complained that a wrong sound format caused this issue. By adjusting the sound format, many were able to fix the Windows 10 USB audio static and other forms of the issue.

How can I fix the audio static on Windows 10?

Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, here are a few quick ones to try:

  • Restart the computer.
  • Ensure the connection is in order and the cable is not damaged.
  • If you have plugged the audio device into a USB 3.0 port, disconnect it and then connect it to a USB 2.0 port on the PC. Some devices do not yet function optimally with the latest major version of Universal Serial Bus and may cause Windows 10 USB audio static.
  • In case you have a program that modifies the sound parameters or properties, uninstall the app and verify whether the problem is resolved.

If none work, head to the fixes listed next.

1. Download the correct Standard SATA AHCI Controller

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
    device manager audio static windows 10
  2. Click the arrow next to IDE ATA/ ATAPI Controllers option to expand it and right-click the driver there.
  3. Choose the Properties option.
    properties audio static windows 10
  4. Now, click the Details tab at the top and click the Property dropdown, and select Hardware Ids.
    hardware ids
  5. From here, right-click the top item and select the Copy option under the Value section.
    copy
  6. Now, search for the device ID on Google to download the correct version of the driver for your device.
    google

The Standard SATA AHCI Controller comes as the default driver for IDE ATA/ ATAPI Controllers. However, some users have found it to cause the audio static issue on windows 10.

This is because the available version cannot do the required job. Hence, it is important to download the latest version from the manufacturer’s website.

Also, outdated or corrupt drivers could cause Windows 10 sound cracking with Realtek. In this case, you will need to install the latest Realtek audio driver in Windows 10.

However, we recommend you use PC HelpSoft Driver Updater(100% safe and tested by us) to update your drivers automatically. You might also need to update other drivers, like the sound driver, to fix the issue. And doing this manually will be stressful and time-consuming.

This is a tool specialized in driver updates. It automatically scans your PC, finds outdated drivers, and updates them to their latest versions.

⇒ Get PC HelpSoft Driver Updater

2. Run the sound troubleshooter

  1. Press the Windows key + I and select Update & Security.
    update audio static windows 10
  2. Click Troubleshoot in the left pane and select Additional troubleshooters.
    troubleshoot
  3. Finally, choose Playing Audio and click the Run the troubleshooter button.
    run troubleshooter

Windows 10 come with various troubleshooters that are handy when it comes to fixing issues. The Playing Audio troubleshooter has proven to diagnose and recommend potential solutions to the audio static windows 10 issue.

3. Change the Minimum Processor State

  1. Press the Windows key, type power and, and choose the Power & sleep settings option.
    power audio static windows 10
  2. Choose Additional power settings under Related settings.
    additional power setting
  3. Now, select the Change plan settings option.
    change plan
  4. Click the Change advanced power settings option.
    change advanced
  5. Now, expand the Processor power management option and followed by Minimum processor state.
    minimum-power audio static windows 10
  6. From here, click the On battery and Plugged in options and set their values to 100%.
  7. Finally, click the Apply button, followed by OK to save the changes.
    hundred

Sometimes, the reason you are getting static audio on Windows 10 is insufficient power allocation. The steps above help to fix this and restore your sound quality.

4. Switch power plan

  1. Press the Windows key + S, type power plan and select Choose a power plan.
    choose audio static windows 10
  2. Select Create a power plan in the left pane.
    create plan
  3. Now, tick the radio for High performance and click the Next button.
    high audio static windows 10
  4. Finally, click the Create button to save your new power plan.
    create button

Sometimes, the Balanced option might not be enough to power the speakers and the audio outputs connected to your PC. This might lead to the audio static on Windows 10 issue.

It should be noted that the High performance plan will drain your battery fast. However, it has proven to solve the issue for many users. Also, changing the power plan will fix audio static in Windows 11.

5. Change the audio format

  1. Press the Windows key + S, type control, and select Control Panel.
    control panel
  2. Choose Hardware and Sound from the options.
    hardware audio static windows 10
  3. Select Sound.
    sound
  4. Double-click your speaker to open the properties.
    speakers
  5. Now, choose the Advanced tab at the top, click the dropdown under Default Format and choose the 16 bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality) format.
  6. Click Apply, followed by OK to save your settings.
    format audio static windows 10

Some users confirmed that changing the audio format to 16 or 24 bits fixed static audio on Windows 10 issue. So, you can alternate between these two formats and see the one that works for you.

6. Change the display resolution

  1. Press the Windows key + I and select the System option.
    system audio static windows 10
  2. Click the dropdown under Scale and layout and choose the recommended setting.
  3. Finally choose the recommended setting for the Display resolution too and restart your PC.
    display resolution

Sometimes, when you tamper with the display resolution and layout, you might have sound issues on your PC. This is because when you watch a video with a higher resolution than advised, it increases the video load. Consequently, this affects the sound quality.

There you have it. We believe you should be able to fix the audio static on Windows 10 issue with the information in this guide.

Also, find the best audio drivers for Windows, and get a finer audio experience.

Please, feel free to let us know if you could fix this issue with any of the solutions in this guide.

More about the topics: Fix audio issues

Ivan Jenic

Ivan Jenic Shield

Windows Hardware Expert

Passionate about all elements related to Windows and combined with his innate curiosity, Ivan has delved deep into understanding this operating system, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting. When he's not tackling diverse driver-related problems, Ivan enjoys watching good movies and spending time hiking with his family and friends.