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
    2021-03-14T12:38:11+00:00

    No they are not M.2 HDD Both are internal SSD's connected by a SATA cable.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-03-13T15:55:26+00:00

    James as someone who has worked closely professionally in the Microsoft space without getting into detail I can assure you that your last sentence is the exact issue. Question I have for you is those 2 systems are they using the same generation processor and motherboard. As someone who is also in the IT field I know you understand that a difference in generation of the same motherboard or processor can have different chipsets which can cause all kinds of slightly different issues in identically built systems. What I suspect is that this issue is probably affecting only specific chipsets that wasn't accounted for in the coding of the update I mentioned as I have 6 other Windows 10 systems in my home but only my gaming system is affected by this issue. Which also posses the question of is it really a Windows OS update developmental issue or a Manufacturer issue which I have no doubt the Windows 10 development team is tracking. But since this issue is not critical system failure issue I know for a fact its not a high priority for them.

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-03-13T04:44:40+00:00

    This issue is not only an Intel issue it is also affecting AMD chipset and products as well. I am running AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU, B550 Aorus Pro AC Gaming Motherboard with full AMD Chipset. Razor Naga mouse and Razor Keyboard. My audio is ran through onboard audio using Reltek driver with Windows 10 Pro version 20H2. 

    I am experiencing an issue similar to all of you  keyboard and mouse response will stutter for 3-5 seconds sometimes producing an audible beep which is the same sound for when sticky keys is enabled but doesn't always occur with the stutter. Issue happens when browsing the internet, gaming, or having no applications running at all. Like all of you my issue started in March of 2020 with the Windows update KB4534132. Windows has been factory reset, clean installed with nothing other than required hardware drivers installed. Yet issue reoccurs every single time after that windows update was reinstalled.

    Rolling the Update back and reinstalling the hardware drivers fixes the issue for a time until the update is force installed again. I have been in IT for over a decade and I can tell the difference between a installed software issue and a blatant Windows update issue and this is a Windows 10 update issue. Something in that update is corrupting Windows 10 driver functionality and everything I have tried to get around this update has failed since you can't stop specific updates from installing unless they are optional updates which this one is not. This issue is really annoying especially when playing mmo games that depend on split second device input. I have monitored my system with both process and performance monitoring and unlike some of you I am not seeing 100% spikes only a 5% to 10% spike in CPU usage which is never over 45% CPU usage and 35% memory usage while running graphic intensive games.

    Changing the Power Scheme has no affect on this issue what so ever as like I have stated this is a corruption on the Windows OS level that is not being addressed. Mainly because of how random it happens and the wide spread number of configurations and devices that are affected. I have found countless forums with people reporting similar issues but all have the same underlying issue of of a 2-5 second stutter or freeze for input devices and no known fix for this issue yet.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-12-02T16:25:17+00:00

    Yep, just built my new pc and noticing this when playing games. Freezes the game for a few seconds, sometimes crashes it and there is almost a crackling sound for a second over the audio. 

    I am actually running AMD 5800x so guess its also affecting AMD users too.

    Tried a few solutions listed here (downloaded driver booster, changed to performance in power management) but still happening. Glad I stumbled upon this thread because I was about to buy a new PSU thinking it was spiking or something causing the issue but it seems not. 

    Any updates would be greatly appreciated!

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-08-13T01:13:13+00:00

    Hi Kevin. Did you buy pro version IObit Driver Booster or standard free version was enough? Thanks

    I'm not Kevin but FYI I bought the Pro version. As I recall the standard told you what ones were out of date but didn't fetch them (could be wrong). I thought it would be worth the $22 or so if it worked. It did.

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