Serious Audio Stuttering/Glitching

[OwenPWeston]

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!

[Alex]

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.

[OwenPWeston]

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.

[Joan]

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.