How to Fix Crackling and Popping Audio

If you want to know how to fix crackling audio, the most common cause is your buffer size being set too low for your computer to keep up. Raise the buffer, and the crackles, pops and clicks usually disappear. If they don’t, the problem is almost always a driver, a USB connection or a faulty cable — and this guide walks through each fix in order.

Crackling and popping is the sound of your system dropping tiny chunks of audio. The audio engine asks for samples faster than the computer can deliver them, so you hear gaps as clicks. Fixing it is mostly about giving the computer more breathing room.

Start with the buffer size

The buffer size controls how big a chunk of audio your computer processes at once. A small buffer means low latency but more strain; a large buffer is easier on the CPU but adds delay. Open your DAW’s audio settings (often “Audio Device” or “Playback Engine”) and raise the buffer size — try 256 or 512 samples, or higher when mixing.

The trick is to use a small buffer only while recording (so you don’t hear delay when monitoring) and a large buffer while mixing (when latency doesn’t matter). If you’re unsure how this trade-off works, read what is audio latency.

How to fix crackling audio caused by drivers

Out-of-date or wrong audio drivers are the second most common cause. Make sure your interface is using its dedicated manufacturer driver rather than a generic one. On Windows, install the latest driver from the maker’s site and select it as your ASIO device in the DAW. On Mac, interfaces usually use Core Audio without a separate driver, but keeping the system and interface firmware current still matters. Our guide on updating audio drivers for recording covers the whole process.

If you’re on Windows without a manufacturer ASIO driver, see installing and setting up ASIO4ALL, which can reduce crackling on built-in or class-compliant devices.

Check the physical connection

Crackling that comes and goes, or changes when you wiggle a cable, points to a hardware fault rather than software:

• USB: plug the interface directly into the computer, not through a cheap hub. If you must use a hub, use a quality powered one — see USB mic vs audio interface for related context on bus power.
• Cables: swap the instrument, mic or monitor cable for a known-good one. A dodgy connector crackles when it moves.
• Connections: reseat every plug firmly. A partly-inserted TRS or XLR causes intermittent noise.

Reduce the load on your computer

If raising the buffer helps but doesn’t fully fix it, your CPU is being overworked. Try these:

• Close other apps, browsers and background sync tools while you record.
• Freeze or bounce CPU-heavy plugin tracks.
• On Windows, set the power plan to High Performance so the CPU doesn’t throttle down.
• Disable Wi-Fi/Bluetooth temporarily if you’re on a laptop and seeing dropouts.

If audio cuts out entirely rather than crackling, that’s a related but distinct issue — see fixing audio dropouts while recording.

Rule out clipping

Not all crackle is dropouts. If the sound only distorts on loud parts, your level is too hot and you’re clipping. Pull the input gain down until the loudest peaks sit safely below the top, then check your gain staging. For badly clipped takes, see fixing a distorted or clipping recording. More troubleshooting walkthroughs are on the home studio setup hub.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my audio crackle only when I add plugins?

Each plugin adds processing load. When the CPU can’t keep up at your current buffer size, you hear crackle. Raise the buffer for mixing, freeze heavy tracks, or remove plugins you’re not using.

Will a bigger buffer always fix crackling?

It fixes crackling caused by an overloaded CPU, which is the most common cause. It won’t fix crackle from a faulty cable, a bad USB connection, the wrong driver, or input clipping — so check those if a larger buffer doesn’t help.

Is crackling damaging my speakers or interface?

Brief digital crackle from dropouts won’t damage hardware, but loud, sudden pops from a failing cable or connection can be hard on speakers. Lower your monitor volume while you troubleshoot, then fix the underlying connection.