Sound (drivers?) crashing while gaming.

[yk7]

Sound (drivers?) crashing.

The sound completely shuts off and a popping/crackling sound starts playing once every 5 seconds. What normally fixes it is closing whatever application I have that sound is coming from or unplugging the usb sound card which I'm using and plugging it back in. What's strange is that iTunes and Audacity doesn't play at all (nothing happens when I press the play button) when the sound is broken.

Edited title and original post since I found out it's not a gaming only issue.

 

[fireberd]

As the sound apparently works OK except with the game, it would suggest the game is causing the problem.

 

[yk7]

As the sound apparently works OK except with the game, it would suggest the game is causing the problem.

That's what I intended with the title? Sorry if I didn't make that clear enough.

 

[fireberd]

Although you are having a sound problem, its really a gaming issue and not a "sound" problem (this forum section).

 

[yk7]

It just happened again but while watching a Youtube video with no games open. Guess that aspect can be changed/

 

[fireberd]

Now we are getting somewhere. Please fill in the "My System Specs" so we know what we are dealing with.

 

[yk7]

Filled that out.

 

[fireberd]

I have a similar motherboard. A GA-Z77X UD5H.

With multiple sound devices they can conflict and cause lots of problems. Also, you can only have one default audio playback device.

In addition, since you have a SoundBlaster PCI and a USB device, make sure the Integrated audio is disabled in the BIOS.

Only have ONE sound device installed, e.g. the PCI card sound card, disconnect the USB and see if you have the problem.

I'll be gone for a while, as I have a PC service call to make at a client's location, so I won't be able to answer right away, as I have been doing.

 

[yk7]

How do I disable the integrated sound card in the BIOS? I already had them disabled via Device Manager.

 

[yk7]

I figured out how to disable the onboard audio. I'll continue playing games/whatever it takes to try to force the problem to occur again.

 

[yk7]

Even after disabling onboard audio, it happened again.

 

[fireberd]

Which sound card are you using? The USB connected or the PCI Soundblaster?

 

[yk7]

I'm still using the USB one. I disabled the PCI card in Device Manager and haven't had the problem since. Think I solved this.

 

[fireberd]

As I mentioned, more than one card can cause conflicts, and a multitude of potential problems.