topic Re: App or Website open - PC stutters until reboot in Desktop (Windows)

Serious Audio Stuttering/Glitching

OwenPWeston — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 06:06:23 GMT

Windows 11 PC, latest update (as of 21/01/2023)

Hi all,

I've been having quite a significant issue with the Spotify desktop app in the last few days.

My audio is stuttering/glitching/making strange sounds while listening to music or podcasts, however I've only noticed this when browsing Chrome weirdly. The best way I can think to describe the sounds is a bumpy, scratched vinyl.

I will try to cover everything that I have already tried in an attempt to fix this below to try avoid delaying with an answer with things I've already tried:

Fresh install;

Cleared cache;

Checked internet connection;

Reset sound settings within Windows 11 settings;

Uninstall and install all audio drivers;

Wireless bluetooth headphones instead of 3.5mm output to speakers as I usually have;

Changed bitrate in Windows 11 settings;

Disabled/enabled different proxy settings within Spotify;

Disabled/enabled hardware acceleration within Spotify;

Changed streaming quality within Spotify;

Tried with local files and downloaded songs and the same thing happens

There are probably some things that I have forgot to list above as I'm writing this but basically everything you find on the internet as an apparent solution, I've tried it already. I would again like to stress that this is only on the desktop application and only occurs when browsing Chrome from what I have gathered so far.

Have no idea what this could be so would really appreciate any help.

Thanks all!

Re: Serious Audio Stuttering/Glitching

Alex — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 09:30:35 GMT

Hi there @OwenPWeston,

Thanks for the post.

Can you let us know what happens if you're using another browser while the Desktop app is running? You can also try to mute Chrome from the Windows Volume mixer and see if the crackling stops.

This issue sounds very device specific, so you might want to try clearing the cache and cookies for chrome and checking if there is a newer version available for download, in case there is an issue with this particular release on Win 11.

Keep us posted on how you get on.

Re: Serious Audio Stuttering/Glitching

OwenPWeston — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 12:54:09 GMT

Thanks for your reply Alex,

I have since tried this with Firefox and Edge to no avail, the issue is still persisting. Also tried muting the browsers like you said and it still persists.

Clearing cookies and cache on Chrome also didn't help..

I think I have narrowed this down to only happening when using browsers as when playing games or using other applications the issue doesn't seem to persist.

No idea what is causing this still.

Re: Serious Audio Stuttering/Glitching

Joan — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 13:45:15 GMT

Hi @OwenPWeston,

Thanks for the reply. Do you use a dedicated/external sound card with your PC? If you do, could you please try disabling that and switching to the default one? We have observed Spotify having various conflicts with external sound cards in the past, so this could possibly be causing what you're experiencing. Also, when muting the browser, how did you go about this? If you didn't try from the Volume Mixer, try that and see if it helps. If the issue still persists, could you please make a screen recording so we can see (and of course hear) the exact issue?

Hope this helps. Keep us posted.

Re: Serious Audio Stuttering/Glitching

christopherwgt — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 18:36:49 GMT

I have been having a similar issue (using Windows 11, Lenovo Yogabook 9i). It only started in the last week or so. I don't use chrome on this PC so I don't think its a chrome issue. I just tried the hardware acceleration option so will let you know what I find out. It's super annoying and hoping I find a solution soon.

Spotify glitching audio playback

Benmkeller — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 20:28:32 GMT

Spotify Premium on Win 11 Pro, multiple new dell XPS 15 machines.

My Question or Issue

Audio drops out repeatedly during playback. I can reliably glitch audio by clicking the start button. Multiple output devices. Drivers updated and reinstalled..

App or Website open - PC stutters until reboot

arcoNDuke — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 17:10:25 GMT

System Overview

Plan: Premium
Device: PC
Operating System: Previously Windows 10, now Windows 11
PC Specs:
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- Graphics Card: MSI GeForce RTX 4090
- Memory: 32 GB, 3200 MHz
- Drive: Samsung 960Pro

Issue (Detailed Description)

Windows 10
A few weeks ago, my Windows 10 system started experiencing an issue. While playing World of Warcraft, I opened Spotify to play some music, and my PC immediately started lagging with a 2-seconds-on / 1-second-freeze cycle that wouldn’t stop. I restarted the PC, which temporarily fixed the issue, but the lag returned every time I opened Spotify. During these freezes, even the mouse cursor freezes in the same cycle with nothing else open.

As it had been about two years since I last formatted the drive, and being a developer myself, I thought some of my developed/installed apps might be causing a conflict. So, I decided to do a full system format and upgrade to Windows 11.

Windows 11
Yesterday, I installed a fresh copy of Windows 11. Right after installing the Spotify app, the same issue reappeared when the app starts! The problem also occurs with the web version of Spotify in both Edge and Firefox – the 2-seconds-on / 1-second-freeze cycle starts up and won’t stop until I completely reboot the PC. Simply signing out and back in doesn’t fix it.

My guess is that the desktop app uses Electron, which may be why the problem persists in both the app and the web version. Strangely, on my lower-spec work laptop (Intel i5, integrated graphics, tons of work-related programs open), Spotify works just fine.

TL;DR / Summary

Problem: PC lags in a 2-seconds-on / 1-second-freeze cycle after launching Spotify (Desktop app & Web version).
Operating Systems: Same issue on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Current Solution to be able to use the PC again: Only a full reboot stops the issue; signing out/in doesn’t help.
Hypothesis: Likely related to Spotify’s Electron app technology.
Question: What additional information can I provide to help troubleshoot this issue?

i can record a video with my phone and upload it to youtube if someone wants to see it in action,....

Re: App or Website open - PC stutters until reboot

Gambinoez — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 10:12:07 GMT

Hello!

I have the same issue on my PC, I think it happens when you click the home button on Spotify, is there a fix for this???

Re: App or Website open - PC stutters until reboot

arcoNDuke — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 17:16:43 GMT

why is my post a reply - if ive created a new topic?? - it has nothing to do with audio stuttering or glichting - my WHOLE PC is not usable when i open spotify once - until i reboot..

Re: App or Website open - PC stutters until reboot

Vasil — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 08:44:06 GMT

Hey folks!

For anyone currently experiencing the issues with PC lag caused by the app that for the time being can only get fixed with a PC reboot, we'd like to know the following device info if you haven't shared it already!

The device's type - laptop/ desktop
Its OS version
The Spotify app version
If you've installed the app via our website or the Microsoft app store
The troubleshooting steps you've gone over

Many thanks! We'll be on the lookout for your replies!

Re: Serious Audio Stuttering/Glitching

Yasirqazi0 — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 11:23:05 GMT

@ddd 71 It sounds like the issue is isolated to browser audio, which could point to a conflict with browser-specific audio settings or an extension. Since clearing cache and cookies didn’t help, you might try disabling any extensions, especially those related to audio or privacy, to see if that resolves it. Additionally, check your sound settings in the browser (especially under "Site Settings" in Chrome) and in your system sound settings to ensure no unusual configurations are affecting playback. If it’s still an issue, reinstalling the browsers could help clear any persistent glitches.

Windows 11 audio stuttering when navigating to spotify home

mcrawffles — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 17:25:03 GMT

Plan

Premium

Country

USA

Device

Operating System

Windows 11

My Question or Issue

When on Windows 11 (tested on multiple PCs and multiple audio devices) if you navigate to a playlist with non-downloaded songs, play that playlist, then navigate to the "Home" menu of Spotify, the audio goes extremely quiet and starts to stutter and distort massively. This is new as of the update with wrapped as far as I'm aware.

It fixes itself after navigating away from the home menu and playing a song for ~1min, but is otherwise decently disruptive to the experience.

Re: Serious Audio Stuttering/Glitching

Infernal1 — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 19:37:52 GMT

I believe I had a similar issue, I fixed it by going to the task manager and clicked the arrow for Spotify and disabled efficiency mode on anything for Spotify. My guess is efficiency mode limits your resources for proper smooth audio playback.

Re: Windows 11 audio stuttering when navigating to spotify home

bugz_banny — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 09:25:02 GMT

Can confirm. Opening Home panel butchers the audio.I'm using Asus Xonar AE, 5.1 channels, 192kHz, 24b.Windows 10.

(mp4 file was 7mb, upload limit is at 5)

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/neOYdB1vXQ0

Re: Windows 11 audio stuttering when navigating to spotify home

Yordan — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 10:46:19 GMT

Hey folks,

Could you try the following:

Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound > Sound Control Panel, switch to the Communications tab and set "When Windows detects communications activity" to Do nothing.
Head back to the Playback tab, then right-click your audio output device and select Properties. In the new window that pops up, switch to the Advanced tab and untick "Exclusive Mode" + "Enable audio enhancements".

If you're using any other sound enhancing apps I'd also recommend disabling them temporarily to see if that helps.

Let us know how it goes 👍

Re: Windows 11 audio stuttering when navigating to spotify home

bugz_banny — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 14:50:56 GMT

Didn't help. But recent update seem to fix the issue for me.

Spotify, when connected to Bluetooth on my desktop, has audio issues

dragonet64 — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 13:50:45 GMT

When Spotify starts on my desktop, the audio on my whole pc stutters and lags if connected to a Bluetooth device. All drivers are up to date, my bios probably isn't, but that will be fixed later. This also happens when using a Bluetooth extender or dongle.

Re: App or Website open - PC stutters until reboot

bbobb98 — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 22:48:30 GMT

the problem is that your service proder is working on cable connections either close by or hundreds of miles away. they keep you barely connected so you dont loose anything that your working on until they finish their job. i'm having the same problem now and tried running ookla speed test and the connection is so bad that it said i had no internet connection. i've got c-spire fiber and the same thing happened a while back, either early morning or mid afternoon for 2 weeks solid, so i went and bought another router that i shouldnt have bought.