System Freeze and Audio Problem

Anonymous
2020-02-11T18:37:30+00:00

I have just purchased a new computer but as i installed programs, a problem was introduced. I think I had seen the same problem on my previous computer, but that is a long story!

The effect is that the computer freezes for about 5 seconds and then continues. Associated with that is a message from the Realtek Audio informing me I have just plugged a device into the audio input. It does not require there to be any audio playing at the time this happens, though if there is audio, then that either goes silent or issues what can best be described as a buzz until the system resumes. The audio can also go into a state which i can only describe as like a stutter, where maybe it freezes for a few milliseconds at a time over a period of about 5 seconds. Sometimes this produces the Realtek message, though not always.

It seems that sometimes this can be triggered by activity, e.g calling a new web page in the browser. Often on returning to the machine after a period away, where the screen has blanked, waking the system up causes the Realtek message, but no obvious freezing of operation.

But the problem can also occur when the machine is not being used. I can be in the next room eating lunch and hear the audio freeze for the period associated with the problem.

With the new system, I started by sequentially installing the programs I required. This was a processed performed over several days as I was also working on the machine as well. Among the programs I had always installed was OpenOffice, I had been using this since it was first available, though I think generally LibreOffice now does better. But as I installed OpenOffice after several days without a problem, I heard the quality of the sound change and the problem started. On average, the problem manifests itself about once an hour, so i think the initial trouble free period up to the installation of OpenOffice identifies the culprit, but uninstalling it did not help. Windows repair tool claims to identify a problem and to have repaired it, requiring a reboot, but the problem still returns, so something somewhere is damaged. Google does nothing but confuse attempts to find the Realtek drivers which could be reinstalled.

I don't know where to go. I can't believe I am the only person suffering from this problem, yet I cannot find reference to such a problem on Google. So this is my last ditch effort to solve the problem before resorting to a clean install.

Regards, Paul Dixon

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-01-08T02:23:42+00:00

    Hi ALL,

    Orri321 has shared a solution to this problem, I hope it will help you guys, and thank you Orri321 for sharing.

    The main contents of the solution are as follows, and you can visit Potential solution to System freeze and audio problem - Microsoft Community to view the details of the specific solution.

    The problem is as follows: Regular computer usage, then there is a sudden freeze for a couple of seconds to a couple of minutes. After the freeze, Realtek High-Definition Audio Manager pops up as if you've disconnected some of your audio devices.<br><br><br><br>My solution to the problem:<br><br>Before trying go to Task Manager --> Performance --> CPU and look at the Uptime. If yours is abnormally high, then it would be interesting to know how long and if this solution worked for you.<br><br><br><br>Settings --> System --> Power & Sleep --> Additional power settings (blue text to the right) --> Choose what the power buttons do --> Change settings that are currently unavailable --> Uncheck "Turn on fast start-up" --> Save Changes<br><br><br><br>The next time you TURN OFF your computer (not restart, turn off and back on) your problem is hopefully fixed after turning it back on. I've had this problem for a little less than a year and these freezes would occur multiple times a day (2–8-hour usage/day). After trying this solution, a little more than a week ago, I haven't had my computer freeze since.

    Best Regards,

    Mosken_L - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-04-04T03:20:42+00:00

    I have the exact same problem with the system pausing for about 15 seconds every now and then and then asked me which Realtek device I just plugged in.

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-03-16T12:54:13+00:00

    I have this issue as well for quite a while. 

    I have a custom built laptop. What is interesting for me that the system freeze and audio problem happens when I take the laptop away from my desk. When I use at my desk, I have two ASUS monitors connected and it doesn't seem to happen or not noticeable. I am not sure why.

    The other difference is that my keyboard is disconnected but nothing else really...

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-03-15T13:05:38+00:00

    John, this issue has happened with both AMD and Intel based systems. Motherboards from different manufactures using these chipsets from both companies as well as different processors. Systems using both onboard sound as well as add-in cards. Hard drives from different manufactures of all 3 current types. Both onboard graphics and add-in cards from different companies. Memory of different styles, speed and size. Cooling systems based on both air and liquid. For some the issue only happens once in a while while for others it happens every few minutes. For some rebooting their systems will cause it to go away for a brief time but it returns. Some see large spikes in CPU usage while this happens while others not as much. Some systems are build for work and others for gaming. All with various additional software as well as barebone with only the vary basics. About the only thing left is Windows 10. For a lot of us this started around March of 2020.

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-03-15T12:40:11+00:00

    It is my belief that what type of storage drive you are using is not related to this issue. I am using a SSD not a M.2 yet I also tried using an older Western Digital Black HDD. Both times this issue happened.

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