Loud buzzing sound when focusing on some window's, partial fix

Hi there

I currently have many audio devices, connected to my main audio system. I have tried to show the types of audio connectors in this diagram. Solid circles are the male connectors and Non-solid circles and the female connectors. All use the audio 3.5mm jack, except for the TV which uses RCA Red and White.



To summarize, my main audio system (stereo system) captures audio from both my TV and PC through an aux cable splitter.

TV audio only comes through when PC is off. And PC audio takes priority when it is on, which is fine.

There seems to be some weird loud buzzing sound though that comes out of the main audio system when I focus on some window's, particularly 3D games so far, which have their own game music. Other window's such as browser window's (with and without sound) and settings don't cause the buzzing sound, and when focused on, stops the buzzing sound.

I can solve this by simply unplugging the TV audio cable when it is off. I can also keep the TV on to stop the buzzing sound.

I would prefer to keep everything plugged in if possible, but it seems that the audio input splitter is the main issue. The splitter also reduces the volume by about half which I expect is normal behavior.

I recently updated my Realtek Audio driver to the latest version for Windows 11 (sorry have not created an account for Eleven Forums yet).

V 21H2 22000.348
Windows 11 Home

Since ellellell1 doesn't mention how grounding is handled, I would suggest just the opposite:
make sure *all* devices are plugged into the same power strip (and thus into the same power outlet).
So-called "ground loops" can be a royal pain to diagnose or eliminate, so try both of the suggested power configurations: separated power and combined power.

In the U.S., AC power is delivered to homes in two phases, 180 degrees out of phase. If one audio component is plugged into a power outlet with one phase and another audio device is plugged into the other, loud buzzing can result.

Hi Pluginz

The TV and Main Audio System are plugged together on the same power strip. The PC (Desktop and Monitor) are on a different power strip.

Pluginz said:

Another option is to run your monitor or TV at 50hz instead of 60hz and see how that fairs out.

This definitely has an effect and does seem to fix it. Although my primary (LG) monitor only has 30HZ and 29.97 HZ as options.

Since it mainly occurs when I run the game, I kept the monitor at 60HZ and changed the in-game VSYNC to a quarter and the buzzing does stop. Although the gameplay is quite unpleasant .

- - - Updated - - -

Hi Selden

selden said:

S
make sure *all* devices are plugged into the same power strip (and thus into the same power outlet).
If one audio component is plugged into a power outlet with one phase and another audio device is plugged into the other, loud buzzing can result.

I am in New Zealand, so not sure what our power config is, but would be close to AUS I believe.

I have tried in different, same and using extension cord, but has the same effect.

Seems like the refresh rate is worth investigating more.

MaloK said:

Hi,

This occurs because your electronic equipment are not on the same electric circuits, resulting in a difference in synchronization in the electric waves.

It sounds stupid but computers are very prone to suffer from this.

The easiest way to fix this is to connect everything on the same power outlet.

Or if impossible, remove all ground prongs from equipment. Like that...



No more buzzing guarantee.

Is it Safe to Cut the Ground Prong? | Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric terrible suggestion from a safety perspective. I would never do or recommend that. Better to fix the root cause of the problem.

MaloK said:

@steve108

Loll, some times there's no way to remove the root cause and there's noise coming from the ground and when that comes in sync with sound component on the MB that causes the issue.

Removing the alternate drain path from an electronic device has some consequence... But this is for short protection...

When is your last electronic equipment shorted and burst in flames ? I have lived with something like that for more than 20 years and nothing happened to my computer.

It's a media player that have 4 sound system connected in different rooms and as soon there was a ground connected there was a terrible humming coming from all amps...

Electricians never found a fault and was left with that... So in the end the results are perfect and there's no chance to have current coming from the ground to spoil your signal.

It's a matter of choice: I prefer taking the almost nonexistent risk than having electric induction in the components.

Now you're going to defend your potentially deadly advice

MaloK said:

This occurs because your electronic equipment are not on the same electric circuits, resulting in a difference in synchronization in the electric waves.
It sounds stupid but computers are very prone to suffer from this.
The easiest way to fix this is to connect everything on the same power outlet.
Or if impossible, remove all ground prongs from equipment. Like that...

Hi there

I have already tried connecting everything on the same power outlet, with everything plugged into a single power strip, still buzzing.

Interestingly, the TV and Main Audio System actually don't gave a ground prong.

The computer and monitor's do, but I wouldn't attempt removing those.