Serious Audio Stuttering/Glitching

[OwenPWeston]

Windows 11 PC, latest update (as of 21/01/2023)

Hi all,

I've been having quite a significant issue with the Spotify desktop app in the last few days.

My audio is stuttering/glitching/making strange sounds while listening to music or podcasts, however I've only noticed this when browsing Chrome weirdly. The best way I can think to describe the sounds is a bumpy, scratched vinyl.

I will try to cover everything that I have already tried in an attempt to fix this below to try avoid delaying with an answer with things I've already tried:

Fresh install;

Cleared cache;

Checked internet connection;

Reset sound settings within Windows 11 settings;

Uninstall and install all audio drivers;

Wireless bluetooth headphones instead of 3.5mm output to speakers as I usually have;

Changed bitrate in Windows 11 settings;

Disabled/enabled different proxy settings within Spotify;

Disabled/enabled hardware acceleration within Spotify;

Changed streaming quality within Spotify;

Tried with local files and downloaded songs and the same thing happens

There are probably some things that I have forgot to list above as I'm writing this but basically everything you find on the internet as an apparent solution, I've tried it already. I would again like to stress that this is only on the desktop application and only occurs when browsing Chrome from what I have gathered so far.

Have no idea what this could be so would really appreciate any help.

Thanks all!

[Alex]

Hi there @OwenPWeston,

Thanks for the post.

Can you let us know what happens if you're using another browser while the Desktop app is running? You can also try to mute Chrome from the Windows Volume mixer and see if the crackling stops. 

This issue sounds very device specific, so you might want to try clearing the cache and cookies for chrome and checking if there is a newer version available for download, in case there is an issue with this particular release on Win 11.

Keep us posted on how you get on.

[OwenPWeston]

Thanks for your reply Alex,

I have since tried this with Firefox and Edge to no avail, the issue is still persisting. Also tried muting the browsers like you said and it still persists.

Clearing cookies and cache on Chrome also didn't help..

I think I have narrowed this down to only happening when using browsers as when playing games or using other applications the issue doesn't seem to persist.

No idea what is causing this still.

[Joan]

Hi @OwenPWeston,

Thanks for the reply. Do you use a dedicated/external sound card with your PC? If you do, could you please try disabling that and switching to the default one? We have observed Spotify having various conflicts with external sound cards in the past, so this could possibly be causing what you're experiencing. Also, when muting the browser, how did you go about this? If you didn't try from the Volume Mixer, try that and see if it helps. If the issue still persists, could you please make a screen recording so we can see (and of course hear) the exact issue?

Hope this helps. Keep us posted.

[christopherwgt]

I have been having a similar issue (using Windows 11, Lenovo Yogabook 9i). It only started in the last week or so. I don't use chrome on this PC so I don't think its a chrome issue. I just tried the hardware acceleration option so will let you know what I find out. It's super annoying and hoping I find a solution soon.

[Benmkeller]

Spotify Premium on Win 11 Pro, multiple new dell XPS 15 machines.

My Question or Issue

Audio drops out repeatedly during playback. I can reliably glitch audio by clicking the start button. Multiple output devices. Drivers updated and reinstalled.. 

[arcoNDuke]

System Overview

• Plan: Premium
• Device: PC
• Operating System: Previously Windows 10, now Windows 11
• PC Specs:
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
  • Graphics Card: MSI GeForce RTX 4090
  • Memory: 32 GB, 3200 MHz
  • Drive: Samsung 960Pro

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Issue (Detailed Description)

Windows 10
A few weeks ago, my Windows 10 system started experiencing an issue. While playing World of Warcraft, I opened Spotify to play some music, and my PC immediately started lagging with a 2-seconds-on / 1-second-freeze cycle that wouldn’t stop. I restarted the PC, which temporarily fixed the issue, but the lag returned every time I opened Spotify. During these freezes, even the mouse cursor freezes in the same cycle with nothing else open.

As it had been about two years since I last formatted the drive, and being a developer myself, I thought some of my developed/installed apps might be causing a conflict. So, I decided to do a full system format and upgrade to Windows 11.

Windows 11
Yesterday, I installed a fresh copy of Windows 11. Right after installing the Spotify app, the same issue reappeared when the app starts! The problem also occurs with the web version of Spotify in both Edge and Firefox – the 2-seconds-on / 1-second-freeze cycle starts up and won’t stop until I completely reboot the PC. Simply signing out and back in doesn’t fix it.

My guess is that the desktop app uses Electron, which may be why the problem persists in both the app and the web version. Strangely, on my lower-spec work laptop (Intel i5, integrated graphics, tons of work-related programs open), Spotify works just fine.

---

TL;DR / Summary

• Problem: PC lags in a 2-seconds-on / 1-second-freeze cycle after launching Spotify (Desktop app & Web version).
• Operating Systems: Same issue on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
• Current Solution to be able to use the PC again: Only a full reboot stops the issue; signing out/in doesn’t help.
• Hypothesis: Likely related to Spotify’s Electron app technology.
• Question: What additional information can I provide to help troubleshoot this issue?

i can record a video with my phone and upload it to youtube if someone wants to see it in action,....

[Gambinoez]

Hello!

I have the same issue on my PC, I think it happens when you click the home button on Spotify, is there a fix for this???

[arcoNDuke]

why is my post a reply - if ive created a new topic?? - it has nothing to do with audio stuttering or glichting - my WHOLE PC is not usable when i open spotify once - until i reboot.. 

[Vasil]

Hey folks!

For anyone currently experiencing the issues with PC lag caused by the app that for the time being can only get fixed with a PC reboot, we'd like to know the following device info if you haven't shared it already!

• The device's type - laptop/ desktop
• Its OS version
• The Spotify app version
• If you've installed the app via our website or the Microsoft app store
• The troubleshooting steps you've gone over

Many thanks! We'll be on the lookout for your replies!

[Yasirqazi0]

@ddd 71 It sounds like the issue is isolated to browser audio, which could point to a conflict with browser-specific audio settings or an extension. Since clearing cache and cookies didn’t help, you might try disabling any extensions, especially those related to audio or privacy, to see if that resolves it. Additionally, check your sound settings in the browser (especially under "Site Settings" in Chrome) and in your system sound settings to ensure no unusual configurations are affecting playback. If it’s still an issue, reinstalling the browsers could help clear any persistent glitches.

[mcrawffles]

Plan

Premium

Country

USA

Device

PC

Operating System

Windows 11

My Question or Issue

When on Windows 11 (tested on multiple PCs and multiple audio devices) if you navigate to a playlist with non-downloaded songs, play that playlist, then navigate to the "Home" menu of Spotify, the audio goes extremely quiet and starts to stutter and distort massively. This is new as of the update with wrapped as far as I'm aware.

It fixes itself after navigating away from the home menu and playing a song for ~1min, but is otherwise decently disruptive to the experience.

[Infernal1]

I believe I had a similar issue, I fixed it by going to the task manager and clicked the arrow for Spotify and disabled efficiency mode on anything for Spotify. My guess is efficiency mode limits your resources for proper smooth audio playback.

[bugz_banny]

Can confirm. Opening Home panel butchers the audio.I'm using Asus Xonar AE, 5.1 channels, 192kHz, 24b.Windows 10.

(mp4 file was 7mb, upload limit is at 5)

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/neOYdB1vXQ0

[Yordan]

Hey folks,

Could you try the following:

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Sound > Sound Control Panel, switch to the Communications tab and set "When Windows detects communications activity" to Do nothing.
2. Head back to the Playback tab, then right-click your audio output device and select Properties. In the new window that pops up, switch to the Advanced tab and untick "Exclusive Mode" + "Enable audio enhancements".

If you're using any other sound enhancing apps I'd also recommend disabling them temporarily to see if that helps.

Let us know how it goes 👍

[bugz_banny]

Didn't help. But recent update seem to fix the issue for me.

[dragonet64]

When Spotify starts on my desktop, the audio on my whole pc stutters and lags if connected to a Bluetooth device. All drivers are up to date, my bios probably isn't, but that will be fixed later. This also happens when using a Bluetooth extender or dongle.