How to Fix Discord Audio Cutting Out or Crackling

What Causes This?

Discord audio usually cuts out or crackles when the app is using the wrong input or output device, your playback and recording devices are set to awkward formats, or OS or vendor audio effects are interfering. It can also happen when CPU usage spikes, Bluetooth audio is unstable, or Discord’s voice processing does not work well with your headset, speakers, or microphone. USB headsets, docks, wireless adapters, and third-party audio software are also common triggers.

Common Symptoms

• Voices in Discord sound robotic, choppy, or crackly
• Audio drops for a second and then comes back
• Only Discord has the problem while other apps sound normal
• Your mic or headset works fine until you join a voice channel or call
• The issue gets worse during gaming, streaming, or high CPU usage

How to Fix It Manually

1. Check that Discord is using the correct audio device

   1. Open Discord.
   2. Click the gear icon next to your username to open User Settings.
   3. Select Voice & Video.
   4. Under Input Device and Output Device, choose your actual headset, microphone, or speakers instead of Default.
   5. Test audio again in a voice channel or call.

2. Disable Discord audio processing features

   1. In Discord > User Settings > Voice & Video, scroll through the voice settings.
   2. Turn off Echo Cancellation, Noise Suppression, and Automatic Gain Control one at a time, then test.
   3. If you see Audio Subsystem, try the other available option and restart Discord.
   4. If Krisp noise suppression is enabled, test with it off.

3. Set the same sample rate in Windows

   1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
   2. Go to System > Sound.
   3. Select your output device, then your input device.
   4. For each one, look for Format and set a common option such as 48000 Hz.
   5. If you need the classic controls, open More sound settings, then open the device Properties and check the Advanced tab.
   6. If Discord keeps cutting out, clear Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.

4. Turn off audio enhancements

   1. In Settings > System > Sound, open your output device and input device.
   2. Set Audio enhancements to Off if that option appears.
   3. If your device software adds effects such as surround, mic cleanup, or spatial processing, turn those off for testing too.
   4. On macOS, disable any headset or vendor audio effects in the device app if you use one.
   5. On Ubuntu or Fedora, check the sound settings and any audio utility you installed, then disable extra effects before testing Discord again.

5. Update or reinstall the audio driver or device software

   1. On Windows, right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
   2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers and also check Audio inputs and outputs.
   3. Right-click your audio device and select Update driver.
   4. If that does not help, choose Uninstall device, restart, and let Windows reinstall it.
   5. If you use a USB headset, Bluetooth adapter, dock, or motherboard audio, also check the hardware maker’s support page for a current driver or firmware update.
   6. On macOS and Linux, focus on system updates and headset or dock firmware, since separate audio drivers are less common.

6. Check for system overload

   1. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc on Windows, Activity Monitor on macOS, or System Monitor on Ubuntu or Fedora.
   2. Watch for high CPU, Memory, or Disk usage while Discord is crackling.
   3. Close heavy apps such as browsers with many tabs, game launchers, RGB tools, recording apps, or virtual audio software.
   4. If the issue only happens under load, restart your computer and test Discord before opening other apps.

7. Try a different port or connection

   1. If you use a USB headset, move it to another USB port.
   2. If you use Bluetooth, remove and pair the device again, then test at close range.
   3. If possible, test the headset wired.
   4. Avoid USB hubs and some docks during testing, since they can cause intermittent audio problems.

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

Kudu can help you check whether high CPU or memory use from background apps lines up with the crackling, and it can make it easier to spot startup apps that may be loading audio utilities or overlays you do not need. Its Performance Monitor is useful for watching system load while Discord is breaking up, and Startup Manager can help you disable nonessential audio tools or launchers that may be interfering.

Download Kudu Free →