Audio static, skipping frames on some internet videos

I have a relatively new PC, gtx 1060 and intel i6700 cpu. About 2 weeks ago I started noticing a bit of static/popping randomly, usually when watching youtube/netflix etc. It's a popping/static that comes out of my speakers when I'm playing a video with sound and is real annoying, like if I am listening to music on youtube.

Also about 1 week ago, not sure if related, on online videos, mostly youtube I randomly get skipped frames on Google Chrome, or also on Firefox kind of a stuttering/frame lag. I reinstalled chrome and firefox, and updated my GPU drivers to no avail. Appreciate any help, thanks!

Microsoft fixing Windows 10 'stuttering' bugs in Creators Update • The Register
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/all-games-stuttering-on-windows-creators-update.18791501/
This may apply...

This has been discussed on a thread on this site quite recently.

Try searching for stutter.

About 2 weeks ago

You might like to check your update history and see if an update was applied then, including driver updates.

And could you confirm you didn't upgrade to the Creator's build then?

After that, basic checks would be to post a screenshot of your task manager when that's happening showing anything of interest, the relevant column organised high to low by clicking on the appropriate tab. Check that no resource is being used to maximum capacity- disk, internet, CPU, RAM. The task manager Performance tab can help.

Then also close your browser and repeat the screenshot (= what's happening in the background).
Are you using ethernet or Wifi? Is there any difference when you switch between them?

It would be helpful to distinguish between downloading (internet) problems, decoding and rendering issues, the effect of possible driver updates, Windows updates, and any background activity or the effect of any other programs running at that time.

You can have more than one audio driver - your USB device needs a separate one of course. Exactly why you have those I don't know.

To edit a post see 'Edit post' just below it in the border.

It sounds a bit like bursts of 50 or 60Hz breakthrough - mains frequency- the ones I can pick out from that style of music, that is. Not what's known as 'static' which is more white or pink noise.

As it's relatively new, suggest you contact the supplier.

You can try isolating the issue- does it ever happen if you simply play music you've downloaded (no internet)?
Does it happen if you use ethernet, not wifi?

Ok, it turns out I'm still getting issues if I download a video and play it with windows media player. Again, when I click Next Episode with Amazon prime the problem occurs, like 70% of the time, I just get this buzzing and it seems to lock up my mouse for a microsecond. It happens with chrome, and with firefox.

I tried recording internal audio with Audacity, but interestingly enough on playback, the buzzing doesn't appear.

Here is a screenshot of task manager https://s1.postimg.org/1ylyarl15b/pc_buzzing.png

Those spikes I marked with the red dot coincide with when I click "next episode"


Also there are a few "security update for flash player" a month or two back (maybe when the problem started) is it worth to try uninstalling the updates?

Now, as

I'm still getting issues if I download a video and play it with windows media player.

- try disabling your internet altogether, then playing the same video. Any buzzzing?

Now it would be interesting to find out what those spikes in internet activity are related to.
Try leaving your task manager open at the Processes tab, click the Network tab, and take a screenshot when there's some buzzing.
PrtSc would be the fastest- then open say Paint and paste the captured pic into Paint.

I'm beginning to guess there might be some interference problem between your internet related hardware and your analogue sound.. some screening problem inside your PC.

(I suppose there's an outside chance of mains breakthrough via your PSU, but that's going back to old days and analogue power circuits rather than switching power supplies. It would also mean it's terribly marginal on load, which seems unlikely).

Those spikes I marked with the red dot coincide with when I click "next episode"

- seems to confirm the relationship with internet activity and buzzing.

Try this:
Have something playing from your disk- just some music, say, with no buzzing. Ensure there's no internet activity.

While that's playing, download something reasonably large.

I'd say it's getting near to the point where you go back to your supplier with the evidence.

Hi, have a look at
Windows 10 popping sound in speakers Solved - Page 3 - Windows 10 Forums
- might help.