Hello Microsoft Community, I am experiencing exactly same issue as highlighted in this post; https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/all/surface-book-2-microphone-starts-crackling-after/0f27fa1b-3bec-4927-8c5b-303522bad118 When I am in a Zoom meeting with 1 person it appears ok - but when a meeting with multiple attendees (hence higher CPU load) are in progress all of sudden other participants get loud crackling noise when I speak, and it has happened on a regular basis. I have used both the built in mic array, as well as a separate Logitech USB headset & a Plantronics USB headset but when the crackling jumbled sound starts to occur, it doesn't matter which mic I am using - and it continues on and off. I have updated the drivers to the latest packages available, but the issue persists. I have seen a post talking about unchecking "Enable audio enhancements - Signal enhancements" on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/3dgdkw/how_to_fix_audio_cracklingdistortion_on_surface/ but I don't see that option in my Surface Book 2 13" i5 model (with the latest Windows 10 patches) However I do notice a checkbox with "Enable Hardware Acceleration". If I uncheck the box what would it do? Regards, Jihong

I gave up Tried everything. Now i use my phone for zoom No problems. Next computer will not be a surface. And Zoom is too busy to answer! I'm fried.

Me too. Exact same issue. I'm on my second HW replacement of my 2018 SB2. I'm resorting to a cheapo 2014 MBP I bought to use as a server and using it as my primary work device instead. That seems ridiculous... 😖 Exactly the same problem. Microsoft even sent me a replacement for Surface Book 2. No luck. I have spent HOURS on Microsoft support. I have done everything. Yes, even used an ethernet cable, wired mic, bluetooth, you name it. Always comes back. Also i’ve had to switch to my ipad in the middle of a meeting or class i’m giving. No problem. My wife uses her Mac zoom throughout the day. No problem. I’ve been accused of a Darth Vader voice but mostly fading out or crackling audio. Very random because not on every call.

I can confirm changing the setting on Zoom has worked for me too. I have to say, I'm pretty disappointed with the sound tech in the Surface Book 2. Colleagues with much cheaper machines have not had any issues along these lines. I've also had issues with sound dropping out when using my Bluetooth headphones which doesn't happen if I use them with my phone, for example. And i have also found that the sound out of the PC's speakers is pretty poor. I often have to have it turned up to 100. All in all its pretty frustrating when I paid so much for this machine.

Also what I have noticed over the past few months is that when I use an external monitor connected via USB-C->HDMI hence having another audio device appear through HDMI, there's more chance of sound problems. Nowadays I disconnect the HDMI cable when I join zoom, and the problem appears to have subsided. If you have an external monitor with HDMI or DP, try Zoom without them.

Definitely did not work for me in the past. What has worked seems to be in the response just above in Australiasquare where you change the sound settings in both zoom and on your pc. Haven’t had any complaints since then.

Surface Book 2 audio - Crackling sound in Zoom meetings

Anonymous

Hello Microsoft Community,

I am experiencing exactly same issue as highlighted in this post;

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/all/surface-book-2-microphone-starts-crackling-after/0f27fa1b-3bec-4927-8c5b-303522bad118

When I am in a Zoom meeting with 1 person it appears ok - but when a meeting with multiple attendees (hence higher CPU load) are in progress all of sudden other participants get loud crackling noise when I speak, and it has happened on a regular basis.

I have used both

the built in mic array, as well as
a separate Logitech USB headset & a Plantronics USB headset

but when the crackling jumbled sound starts to occur, it doesn't matter which mic I am using - and it continues on and off.

I have updated the drivers to the latest packages available, but the issue persists.

I have seen a post talking about unchecking "Enable audio enhancements - Signal enhancements" on Reddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/3dgdkw/how_to_fix_audio_cracklingdistortion_on_surface/

but I don't see that option in my Surface Book 2 13" i5 model (with the latest Windows 10 patches)

However I do notice a checkbox with "Enable Hardware Acceleration". If I uncheck the box what would it do?

Regards,

Jihong

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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47 answers

Anonymous

2020-08-19T05:20:44+00:00

I gave up Tried everything. Now i use my phone for zoom

No problems. Next computer will not be a surface. And Zoom is too busy to answer! I'm fried.
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Anonymous

2020-08-18T13:12:29+00:00

Me too. Exact same issue. I'm on my second HW replacement of my 2018 SB2. I'm resorting to a cheapo 2014 MBP I bought to use as a server and using it as my primary work device instead. That seems ridiculous... 😖

Exactly the same problem. Microsoft even sent me a replacement for Surface Book 2. No luck. I have spent HOURS on Microsoft support. I have done everything. Yes, even used an ethernet cable, wired mic, bluetooth, you name it. Always comes back. Also i’ve had to switch to my ipad in the middle of a meeting or class i’m giving. No problem. My wife uses her Mac zoom throughout the day. No problem. I’ve been accused of a Darth Vader voice but mostly fading out or crackling audio. Very random because not on every call.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2020-08-06T02:34:59+00:00

I can confirm changing the setting on Zoom has worked for me too.

I have to say, I'm pretty disappointed with the sound tech in the Surface Book 2. Colleagues with much cheaper machines have not had any issues along these lines.

I've also had issues with sound dropping out when using my Bluetooth headphones which doesn't happen if I use them with my phone, for example.

And i have also found that the sound out of the PC's speakers is pretty poor. I often have to have it turned up to 100.

All in all its pretty frustrating when I paid so much for this machine.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2020-08-06T02:33:37+00:00

Also what I have noticed over the past few months is that when I use an external monitor connected via USB-C->HDMI hence having another audio device appear through HDMI, there's more chance of sound problems.

Nowadays I disconnect the HDMI cable when I join zoom, and the problem appears to have subsided.

If you have an external monitor with HDMI or DP, try Zoom without them.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2020-08-06T02:12:23+00:00

Definitely did not work for me in the past. What has worked seems to be in the response just above in Australiasquare where you change the sound settings in both zoom and on your pc. Haven’t had any complaints since then.
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