static noise while playing video games :: Hardware and Operating Systems

All Discussions > Steam Forums > Hardware and Operating Systems > Topic Details

This topic has been locked

fruit bat 20 Feb, 2022 @ 10:30am

static noise while playing video games

short story: my speakers play a weird buzzing / static noise while playing video games.
long story: every single time I start a game to play (doesnt matter if its warzone, pubg, csgo, etc) my speakers (besides the game sounds) play a buzzing/static noise. It's easy to hear it in the menu but in time it really gets annoying while playing. If I use headphones, that static noise is not there anymore but if I use speakers it plays every single time. I have 3 different speakers and that static noise can be heard on all of them, no matter which one I use. I should also mention that the static noise only appears while playing video games, because while watching movies, youtube, etc it does not show up. Now, you might say, just use headphones but I can't. I have a medical condition that forces me not to use headphones therefore I have to use speakers when I play video games. I also use an external mic :). I've notice this problem since I bought a new GPU, a rtx 2080 (which has coil whine but the coil whine can barely be heard outside the case). Before the gpu upgrade, I just had a 1060 and I never experience such static noise (neither had coil whine). I really doub it can be because of my new gpu tbh. My sound drivers are up2date, my windows is up2date, and I dont use sound enhancements (from the sound properties), everything is set as it was before gpu upgrade and as it should be.

Hope I was as explicit as possible, if anyone knows how to fix this, I would be grateful, thanks

Last edited by fruit bat; 20 Feb, 2022 @ 2:11pm

< >

Showing 1-15 of 42 comments

Jamebonds1 20 Feb, 2022 @ 10:36am

Have you check the speaker seal? If it is ripped, then time for a new speaker.

✨Saint✨ 20 Feb, 2022 @ 10:44am

How are your speakers connected? Via Bluetooth or cable?.
If cable, make sure they are connected properly.

I had something similar on a set of old Sound Blasters from the 90's.
When you turn the volume higher or lower directly from your speakers, do you hear a "rumbling" sound?. If so, put your speakers between 60% and 75% volume, just find that sweet spot, and change volume with the Windows functions.

_I_ 20 Feb, 2022 @ 11:02am

can also be drivers

get the correct ones from the mobo site

if using hdmi audio, its the gpu drivers (or mobo)

CZI 20 Feb, 2022 @ 1:12pm

I understand that it's annoying.

If it is wired by analog, wire can get signal like antenna.
Some time is difficult to troubleshoot and takes time.

Basic troubleshooting is replace each component and test.

I think you have multiple sound output device in Sound Settings.
Easy way is just pick other output with no or less noise.

I'd suggest to keep wired audio rather than bluetooth.
Bluetooth can be delayed and interfere other bluetooth devices especially used streaming audio or video.

emoticorpse 20 Feb, 2022 @ 1:29pm

if you disable/unplug the mic is it still there? disable all recording devices except that mic that you use.

fruit bat 20 Feb, 2022 @ 2:07pm

Originally posted by emoticorpse:
if you disable/unplug the mic is it still there? disable all recording devices except that mic that you use.

unpluged mic and the static noise is still there
disabled everything, except speakers and static noise is still there
:(

fruit bat 20 Feb, 2022 @ 2:09pm

Originally posted by _I_:
can also be drivers

get the correct ones from the mobo site

if using hdmi audio, its the gpu drivers (or mobo)

I have all the drivers from the manufacturers website

and GPU is connected via Display Port not hdmi

fruit bat 20 Feb, 2022 @ 2:11pm

Originally posted by CZI:
I understand that it's annoying.

If it is wired by analog, wire can get signal like antenna.
Some time is difficult to troubleshoot and takes time.

Basic troubleshooting is replace each component and test.

I think you have multiple sound output device in Sound Settings.
Easy way is just pick other output with no or less noise.

I'd suggest to keep wired audio rather than bluetooth.
Bluetooth can be delayed and interfere other bluetooth devices especially used streaming audio or video.

it is wired. speakers are connected via jack + usb
i tried going 1 by 1 to figure it out what it can be but out of 3 speakers I still can't figure it out what's causing this
and I tried disabling/unpluging one by one and nothing helped so far
I'm so tired of this :(

emoticorpse 20 Feb, 2022 @ 2:14pm

can you post a picture of the inside of your case?

Jamebonds1 20 Feb, 2022 @ 2:27pm

It can be bad amplifier. I recommend a new computer speaker

#10

Carlsberg 20 Feb, 2022 @ 2:39pm

Have you tried disabling nvidia hd audio in device manager sound controllers?

#11

Talby 20 Feb, 2022 @ 2:51pm

Can you plug in the speakers to your phone / tablet / laptop or whatever else with a 3.5mm jack, if the noise continues it's the speakers itself

conversely, if you can plug in your headphones to the usb jack the speakers plug into that would test the usb output of the usb sound card, if the static is also in the headphones it's the usb sound card noise

Edit - after reading in more detail...

Originally posted by fruit bat:
...If I use headphones, that static noise is not there anymore but if I use speakers it plays every single time. I have 3 different speakers and that static noise can be heard on all of them, no matter which one I use. I should also mention that the static noise only appears while playing video games, because while watching movies, youtube, etc it does not show up...

...I've notice this problem since I bought a new GPU, a rtx 2080 (which has coil whine but the coil whine can barely be heard outside the case). Before the gpu upgrade, I just had a 1060 and I never experience such static noise (neither had coil whine). I really doub it can be because of my new gpu tbh...

possible the new GPU is causing the noise in the usb sound card, how is it plugged in, the back usb port or case usb port? Would you have a usb extension cord or maybe a usb hub available to distance the USB sound card from the case?

Last edited by Talby; 20 Feb, 2022 @ 3:11pm

#12