ROG Zephyrus G14 (GA401IV) Random Audio Crackle Issue

[OnAironaut]

System: Windows 11 Home 64 bit 21H2 build 22000.856 / BIOS 220
Battery or AC: Battery and AC
Model: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (GA401IV)
Frequency of occurrence: Random, variable, every couple of minutes or so
Reset OS: Several times
Screenshot or video:
========================
Detailed description：Hello!

When listening to music, watching movies or doing anything else with sound, my computer audio suffers from micro stutters at random times. It sounds like little clicks, pops or crackles every once in a while.

This is terribly disrupting for me as I work with audio production.

This is not a sound card issue, as it occurs regardless of whether I am using the internal soundcard with Realtek drivers, or the external sound card with RME drivers. This suggests that in the signal chain stuttering takes place before the sound card.

I have been having this problem for a long time and have been looking for a solution everywhere to no avail. I have tried different versions of different drivers, I have even completely reset and reinstalled my computer several times.

I have also contacted ASUS support via MyASUS app, but I only get generic and useless answers like "check if your Windows is licensed" and "update your audio drivers".

My current findings and suspects are the following:

First, I have noticed that the microstutter seemingly disappears after disabling AMD display driver in Windows Device Manager --> Display Adapters ---> AMD Radeon(TM) Graphics ---> DISABLE

Second, I have read about the AMD fTPM issue that can cause microstutters, but there is no option in my BIOS version 220 to disable the fTPM and check if it is indeed the culprit.
But supposedly the fTPM issue can be fixed by the recently released AMD AGESA V2 1.2.0.7 Microcode for Motherboard Vendors and OEMs (ASUS in this case), and updating the BIOS with this new microcode. Is this BIOS update to be expected soon?

Could anybody please help me solve this issue?

Thank you very much in advance,
JS

[Falcon_ASUS]

OnAironaut

https://zentalk.asus.com/en/discussion/comment/225617#Comment_225617

Hello!

O.k. Fine.

This video was taken using the internal sound card with Realtek drivers. "Creative" speakers are connected to the computer audio jack.

Add this string to the YouTube URL in your address bar:

watch?v=aKJD5rrhAcs

If you turn up the volume, the audio crackle can be heard at about 26 seconds into the video.

So far I have noticed that the audio stutter only disappears when AMD Radeon display driver is disabled in Windows Device Manager --> Display Adapters ---> AMD Radeon(TM) Graphics ---> DISABLE

But working with disabled iGPU is not optimal.

I have tried a lot of different versions of AMD Graphics drivers, old and new, downloaded both from ASUS website as well as from AMD website, but the audio stuttering remains present no matter which version of the driver I use.

Best regards,

JS

View post

@OnAironaut
I will forward the information to the relevant department. We will keep you updated and your consideration will be very much appreciated.

[Falcon_ASUS]

OnAironaut

https://zentalk.asus.com/en/discussion/comment/225617#Comment_225617

Hello!

O.k. Fine.

This video was taken using the internal sound card with Realtek drivers. "Creative" speakers are connected to the computer audio jack.

Add this string to the YouTube URL in your address bar:

watch?v=aKJD5rrhAcs

If you turn up the volume, the audio crackle can be heard at about 26 seconds into the video.

So far I have noticed that the audio stutter only disappears when AMD Radeon display driver is disabled in Windows Device Manager --> Display Adapters ---> AMD Radeon(TM) Graphics ---> DISABLE

But working with disabled iGPU is not optimal.

I have tried a lot of different versions of AMD Graphics drivers, old and new, downloaded both from ASUS website as well as from AMD website, but the audio stuttering remains present no matter which version of the driver I use.

Best regards,

JS

View post

@OnAironaut
Please help to confirm whether the situation improves after performing the following operations.
1. Perform a built-in system refill
2. Run Windows Update to the latest and make sure to update the AMD internal graphics driver to the latest: V30.0.13002.1001
If the above cannot be ruled out, could you please provide an easy-to-replicate technique and sound files that can be provided together for internal testing.
Sorry for any inconvenience it may be caused. 

[OnAironaut]

Falcon_ASUS

https://zentalk.asus.com/en/discussion/comment/225632#Comment_225632

@OnAironaut

Please help to confirm whether the situation improves after performing the following operations.

1. Perform a built-in system refill

2. Run Windows Update to the latest and make sure to update the AMD internal graphics driver to the latest: V30.0.13002.1001

If the above cannot be ruled out, could you please provide an easy-to-replicate technique and sound files that can be provided together for internal testing.

Sorry for any inconvenience it may be caused. 

View post

Hello!

By "built-in system refill" do you mean the system reset as per asus.com/support/FAQ/1013064/ ?

Best regards,
JS

[Falcon_ASUS]

OnAironaut

https://zentalk.asus.com/en/discussion/comment/227042#Comment_227042

Hello!

By "built-in system refill" do you mean the system reset as per asus.com/support/FAQ/1013064/ ?

Best regards,

JS

View post

@OnAironaut
Correct, please use the built-in system restore function to restore the system after backing up your data.
Sorry for any inconvenience it may be caused. 

[OnAironaut]

Hello!

First I will try installing the new big Windows 11 update - 22H2 (been waiting for it for a week already, should be available any day now), and see if it changes anything. If not, then I will do the full system restore, and let you know if that fixes anything.

Best regards,
JS