Yesterday I started getting a rhythmic (stays in-time, not random) popping/clicking sound whenever I play certain audio sources. This happens on any of my devices whether they are connected directly to my computer, or to my computer via my external USB amp/DAC (an O2+ODAC Combo from JDSLabs). Youtube audio, for example, causes it, even if the Youtube video is muted in the browser. The popping/clicking sounds remain for an indeterminate time after the audio stops, ranging from a few seconds, to indefinitely (until I restart my computer). There doesn't seem to be any other performance/functional problems with my computer that I have noticed.
The only change I've made to my computer recently was I replaced one of my two monitors 2 days ago, but it was working just fine all that day (without this problem) until I woke up the next day.
I have tried increasing the minimum processor usage (as I've seen recommended for problems like this one) to no avail. I've also run both my anti-virus (Emsisoft Anti-Virus) and Malwarebytes.
Based on research I've already done, it could be a DPC Latency problem (seems to have similar symptoms), but I am having a hard time figuring out if that is the case, and if so, how to fix it. I installed the Windows Performance Toolkit, and have run xperf. I did it as follows:
If that's not the problem, feel free to give me further instructions for fixing what you believe may be the problem (or if you need more information, just tell me what). Worst-case scenario I'm willing to do a clean install of Windows 8.1, but I'd rather not if it can be avoided.
My computer specifications are:
EDIT:
SOLVED
I solved the problem after some tinkering on my own. It turns out I somehow mistakenly had an SPDIF Output defined (and enabled) as a Recording Device in my system settings. This was causing the clicking sounds, once I disabled it, the problem went away.
The only change I've made to my computer recently was I replaced one of my two monitors 2 days ago, but it was working just fine all that day (without this problem) until I woke up the next day.
I have tried increasing the minimum processor usage (as I've seen recommended for problems like this one) to no avail. I've also run both my anti-virus (Emsisoft Anti-Virus) and Malwarebytes.
Based on research I've already done, it could be a DPC Latency problem (seems to have similar symptoms), but I am having a hard time figuring out if that is the case, and if so, how to fix it. I installed the Windows Performance Toolkit, and have run xperf. I did it as follows:
- I ran Code:
xperf -on PROC_THREAD+LOADER+PROFILE+INTERRUPT+DPC+DRIVERS+POWER+IDLE_STATES -stackwalk Profile -BufferSize 1024 -MinBuffers 256 -MaxBuffers 256 -MaxFile 256 -FileMode Circular
- I played audio from several applications which cause the clicking/popping
- I ran Code:
xperf -stop -d D:\CPU.etl
If that's not the problem, feel free to give me further instructions for fixing what you believe may be the problem (or if you need more information, just tell me what). Worst-case scenario I'm willing to do a clean install of Windows 8.1, but I'd rather not if it can be avoided.
My computer specifications are:
- Windows 8.1 (Fully Updated)
- Asus Maximus VI Hero Motherboard (Updated a few months ago to the most recent 1603 BIOS)
- Intel i7 4790K (Overclocked to 4.7 GHz)
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 (Most recent drivers)
- 32GB (4 x 8GB) G.Skill Ares DDR3-1866 RAM
- 1TB Samsung 840 Evo
- 2 x 2TB Seagate Barracuda Drives in RAID 1
EDIT:
SOLVED
I solved the problem after some tinkering on my own. It turns out I somehow mistakenly had an SPDIF Output defined (and enabled) as a Recording Device in my system settings. This was causing the clicking sounds, once I disabled it, the problem went away.