NEW 4080 USB codec Z590 issues

Some users have reported that Windows is loading slower because of issues with the new USB 6.3.9600.2276 (2277) drivers from Realtek for their Z590 boards.

There is an open ticket @ Asus about the issue. It's not bios related but Windows loading related. The driver seems to have issues on boot and takes up to 10 seconds to load.

Workaround is to remove the driver all together for the moment (USB 2 will kick in). You can use DDU utility and run it for sound drivers available HERE. Use the driver store cleanup utility Available here and force delete any Realtek SOUND files and a-Volute files.

If you want to reinstall drivers and try them, make sure you only use the official driver from the board maker site (for now at least) using the install.bat (run as admin) and NOT the .EXE install. You will only see a command prompt window but wait a few minutes driver is installing.

Reboot after and check if boot times are stable.

If all fails, running on USB 2 default sound with no drivers for the moment fixes boot issue but is annoying.

If this does not fix boot times, try uninstalling DTS and Sonic sonar apps, reboot and check again.

There isn't any information about the driver on Realtek sites and minimal information from board maker sites.

Asus is aware of the issue and is trying to find a solution.

Hi,

This issue is not resolved and some users are complaining of random noise, noise cuts for example while listening to YouTube videos.

As for my case the issue is there is an incompatibility issue with certain USB hardware and the codec. I found that my C615 Logitech camera was the hardware having boot issues. The 4080 codec definitely has issues with other USB hardware. My Logitech C615 is an old model but I have used it on all the Asus Z series since the Z77. The C615 on this machine was brand new. I even swapped with another one that's still sitting on my desk and the problem was the same. I changed the camera for a Nexigo and the problem went away.

This does not in any way fix the issue but is rather a workaround.

Now as for random cuts and sound noise on analog outputs, Igor's Lab (Tom's hardware group Germany) which probably gave the best description of the new codecs in April seems to have found the problem and suggests that it's more complicated than we thought and may be related to the Micro Controller Unit (MCU chip) which handles RGB effects for the board.
READ HERE

This problem with these new audio codecs is so deep that not all users will realize right away the potential problems that they may have with their boards when adding or enabling certain functions.

A few of us are trying really hard to get board manufacturers attention to find a solution to this annoying issue.

sandyt said:

New DCH core drivers and software components are completely interchangeable.
Just go to Microsoft Update Catalog (MUC) and download/install the appropriate most up-to-date driver (which is 6.3.9600.2286), realtek software components and whatever a-volute nahimic software components.
https://www.catalog.update.microsoft...20Audio%202021
Detail instructions to the non-usb realtek DCH audio driver updates via MUC in my sticky tutorial also applies to the realtek DCH USB audio driver.

Hi sandyt,
Issue has nothing to do with drivers. besides latest are 6.3.9600.2290. Please read carefully the problem. There are only 4 drivers available for this to date.

The problem is with the codec, There is an issue between codec compatibility, the MUC and USB hardware.

sandyt said:

The way to solve them usually is by updating every single thing you can think of ---bios, amd/intel chipset drivers, USB drivers, dts software components, a-volute nahimic software components...
Open up every category in the device manager and search for new drivers on motherboard website, amd and intel websites, MUC...
chipsets chipsets Check if you are using old usb cables, check usb connections are secured, check if you are plugging them in usb2 or usb3 in the back (switch them around to see if there is a difference)...
Check if you are connecting the webcam and your audio driver with some unusual audio bitrate combo.
You tell people that you are using new chipset motherboard with not so common realtek usb audio chipset. You tell people that a bunch of people are zeroing in on micro controller unit. You tell people that updating realtek's usb audio driver didn't solve the problem.
Then maybe the problem is not on realtek's usb audio driver itself.

As I mentioned, It's not a driver issue.
This codec is brand new and has replaced the ALC1220 on high end boards.
The difference is that the ALC4080 breaks with the long tradition of direct connection to the SoC via a bilingual interface (HD-A or I2S/I2C) and uses USB instead.

This codec has had issues form the start. The SPDIF had to get a firmware update because of background noise.

Cables, 3.1 usb 2.0 and so on have all been checked. It's not my first build in over 20 years

It's either a codec issue or an MUC issue.

Although I appreciate the help, I was rather making a statement to those who have this codec not asking or giving a solution because for now, no one has found one. Asus is testing to repro the problem. It seems the RGB is one of the factors that either makes the sound cut or generates noise.

erpster4 said:

the ALC408x sound problems in some Z590 boards are not just limited to Asus alone, Zardoc
they seem to happen in other Z590 boards from Gigabyte and MSI as well as noted in these reddit posts:
Z590 ALC4080 Static Audio : gigabyte
Intermittent Sound Problem on Z590 Ultra : gigabyteAudio suddenly goes to static? : MSI_Gaming

there may be more similar posts on reddit like these

Sorry for the very late reply Epster. I've been on the 11 forum for a while.

You are right. This is chip related not board maker related. Another firmware update has been released by Asus which seems to have cut down on the static but the problem is not fully solved. If you have that codec just click on the sound level. You might hear a crackle every time.

The sound chip was the only thing I hadn't checked when I bought the board. Usually I won't by the board if it has a new option that hasn't been tested. I also usually buy a board that's been at least a year on the market. That way I can see if the bugs have been removed. I went ahead with this board since it was the same chipset as Z490. The Pcie 4.0 was a simple upgrade to the board and works fine.

Will wait and see