How to Fix Audio Crackling and Popping in Windows 11 25H2: 5 Confirmed Solutions

To fix audio crackling and popping in Windows 11 25H2, you must disable the “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” setting for your audio controller in Device Manager. If the setting is missing, install the January 24, 2026, Out-of-Band update (KB5078127), which addresses kernel-level timing issues that cause audio buffer under-runs during power-state transitions.

1. Why did the Windows 11 25H2 Update break my audio?

The January 2026 update (Version 25H2) introduced a more restrictive power-management model designed to extend battery life on “AI PCs”. This causes the audio chipset to “sleep” and “wake up” every time a sound is played, resulting in a loud pop or crackle at the start and end of audio streams.

Common symptoms include:

• Momentary screeches when playing .m4a or .mp3 files.

• Persistent buzzing when the laptop is connected to a charger (Ground Loop EMI).

• Audio distortion in high-refresh-rate games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.

2. Solution 1: Disable Aggressive Power Management

This is the most effective fix for laptop users.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.

2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.

3. Right-click your primary device (e.g., Realtek Audio or Intel Smart Sound) and select Properties.

4. Go to the Power Management tab.

5. Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.

6. Note: If the tab is missing, you may need to edit the registry or use the generic “High Definition Audio Device” driver.

3. Solution 2: Install the KB5078127 Emergency Patch

Microsoft released an “Out-of-Band” (OOB) update on January 24, 2026, specifically for 25H2 audio regressions.

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.

2. Check for updates. Look specifically for KB5078127.

3. If it doesn’t appear, you can manually download it from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

4. Solution 3: The “Static Discharge” Fix (Lenovo & MSI)

Many 2025-2026 gaming laptops (like the Legion 16ADR10 or MSI GE66) suffer from electrical grounding issues exacerbated by the new update.

1. Shut down the laptop completely.

2. Unplug the charger and all USB devices.

3. Long-press the Power Button for 60 seconds. This discharges static electricity from the audio capacitors.

4. Plug in only the OEM charger and reboot.

5. Solution 4: Clean Reinstall of Realtek/OEM Drivers

Do not trust Windows Update to find the correct driver for 25H2.

1. Download the model-specific driver directly from your manufacturer’s support site (e.g., ASUS, Dell, or Lenovo).

2. In Device Manager, right-click your audio device and select Uninstall device.

3. Check “Attempt to remove the driver for this device”.

4. Install the downloaded driver and restart.

6. Advanced Fix: Disable Audio Enhancements

1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar > Sound settings.

2. Select More sound settings.

3. Double-click your speakers > Enhancements (or Advanced).

4. Check “Disable all enhancements” and uncheck “Allow applications to take exclusive control”.

🛠 Deep Dive: Technical Root Cause & Advanced Diagnostics

If the standard fixes didn’t resolve the issue, your system is likely suffering from critical DPC (Deferred Procedure Call) Latency within the Windows 11 25H2 kernel. Below are the specific technical parameters for advanced troubleshooting.

1. Identifying Affected Codecs & Hardware IDs

The 25H2 audio regression is not universal; it primarily impacts chipsets where the ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) implementation conflicts with the new Windows Power Engine Plug-in (PEP).

To find your ID: Open Device Manager > Sound controllers > Right-click device > Properties > Details > Select Hardware IDs.

2. Registry Fix: Disabling Idle Timeout (DPC Latency Bypass)

If the “Power Management” tab is missing in Device Manager (common with Modern Standby/S0ix drivers), you can manually force the audio chipset to stay awake via the Registry Editor.

1. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4d36e96c-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}

2. Locate the sub-key for your device (check 0000 or 0001 — look for DriverDesc matching “Realtek” or “High Definition Audio”).

3. Open the PowerSettings folder and set the following values to 00 00 00 00:

   • ConservationIdleTime (Idle on Battery)

   • PerformanceIdleTime (Idle on AC Power)

   • IdlePowerState (Deep Sleep state)

4. Restart your PC for changes to take effect.

3. Advanced Diagnostic: LatencyMon Testing

If popping persists after installing KB5078127, use the utility LatencyMon to verify if a secondary driver is interrupting the audio buffer.

• Red Bars on HDAudBus.sys: Confirms the Windows High Definition Audio bus is failing to process interrupts in time.

• Red Bars on dxgkrnl.sys: Indicates a GPU driver conflict where the display engine is starving the audio engine for CPU cycles.

💡 Editorial Note (TechReviewGuide):

This guide was updated on March 3, 2026, to include specific Realtek ALC codec data and Registry-level power state overrides following feedback from the PCMR and enthusiast communities.

Your feedback helps other members of our community solve these annoying Windows 11 errors and driver issues faster!

Read more: How to Fix Missing Intel NPU Drivers and “Intel AI Boost” Errors in Windows 11

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