Playing games on the Xbox series X is a great compact gaming experience. However, many gamers have reported that their audio cracks while entering a game, during or after load screen, and even for a constant period of time. This Xbox series X crackling audio issue is a very frustrating one because it breaks the intensity and immersion of playing an exciting game.
The sole purpose of buying gaming consoles like Xbox is to have a compact smooth gaming experience. And a compact gaming experience includes everything from in-game experiences to surroundings like audio and stuff. Therefore, interruptions like crackling audio can irritate gamers a lot.
Therefore we have created this simple guide. In this article, we have discussed the reasons that cause this issue and then go for troubleshooting to fix it.
Why is my Xbox audio Staticy?
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There are a few reasons that can crack your Xbox audio and make static or robotic sounds. So let’s first learn why and what can cause a crackling sound on your Xbox X Series.
- Trouble in HDMI cable and connections could cause issues to send audio.
- Constant disruption in the network connection can produce a popping sound.
- Glitches in output devices like speakers and headsets can generate crackling audio.
- Damaged cable and jack of wired speaker and headset cause the problem.
- High radio frequency interference can cause disturbance for wireless audio devices.
Also Read:
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Xbox Series X Turns Off By Itself: Stop The Console Auto Restarting
How do I fix the crackling sound on my Xbox X Series?
Now that we know the possible reasons that can cause the Xbox series X crackling audio issue, let’s start troubleshooting the problem. At this point, let’s dig into the issue in detail and find a fix for the issue.
Photo by Diego Marín on Unsplash
Fix-1: A system reset can clear the Xbox series X crackling audio issue.
Conventionally, a system reset can fix a large number of device issues. When you reset a system, it clears many temporary files from the system software. So, if any temporary bug is causing the issue, a system reset wipes that away.
To perform a system reset:
Step-1: Launch the Settings window by pressing the Xbox button on your controller.
Step-2: In the settings, open the System setting then go to Console Info > Reset Console.
Step-3: To the Reset Console you have two options available: “Reset and remove everything” and “Reset and keep my games & apps”. This way you can reset the Xbox X system but can keep your games and apps’ data.
Step-4: Wait till the reset process is done, it might take a few minutes. Once the reset is complete, the console will restart automatically. Now, set up your console preferences and check if the audio issue is gone.
Fix-2: Perform a network reset to solve Xbox series X crackling audio issue.
To reset network settings on Xbox series X, you first need to clear the Mac address, then perform a power cycle on your Xbox and network router.
Clear Mac Address:
Step-1: First, press the Xbox button on your controller and go down to settings.
Step-2: Now go to General > Network settings then to Advanced settings.
Step-3: Under the Advanced settings select the Alternet Mac Address. There choose the option to Clear wipe the custom Mac address. Once you click to clear, the system will ask you to restart the console. Click to Restart the console.
Clear Alternet Mac Addres on Xbox X
Power Cycle the console and router:
Once you clear the Mac address you must perform a power cycle on your Xbox console and network router. To power cycle your Xbox series X console:
Step-1: Find the Xbox button on your console and turn it off by pressing the button for 10 seconds.
Step-2: Now unplug the power cable from the console for about 2 to 3 minutes. After that, plug in the cable again.
Step-3: Finally turn on the Xbox by pressing the Xbox button on your console or on your controller.
Step-4: In this step, turn off your network router, wait for a couple of minutes, then restart it again.
Now check if the console still makes that crackling sound or not.
If you find it difficult to connect your Xbox to the internet, read our article on “Xbox Series X Won’t Connect To Internet: Reconnect Your Console Here” to find a fix.
Fix-3: Inspect the HDMI cable and connections.
When you are using your Tv/monitor’s audio and it’s connected with an HDMI cable, the next step of the troubleshooting is to inspect the HDMI cable and ports.
First check the connections of the cable, from console to HDMI cable and from the cable to TV/monitor. If there is any loose connection, unplug the cable and plug the cable properly.
Then, inspect the HDMI port on your monitor. In case you think, the port has a disturbance, try with a different TV/monitor. If the audio from the second monitor works perfectly, it refers that the problem lies in the monitor’s HDMI port that you use regularly.
After that, examine HDMI cable itself for the possible defect. If the cable has a defect in it, the audio will have disturbances. So, change the HDMI cable in that case.
Fix-4: Check the NAT type of your Xbox X series
The Network Address Translation (NAT) of your Xbox console should be open. Therefore, you need to check the NAT type. To check it:
Step-1: Launch the Settings on your Xbox X console.
Step-2: Then go to Network Settings, where you can see the NAT Type under the “Current network status”. If the NAT type status is Open., then it’s good to go.
Otherwise, reach out to your internet provider and ask them to open the following ports: Port 88 (UDP) Port 3074 (UDP and TCP) Port 53 (UDP and TCP) Port 80 (TCP) Port 500 (UDP) Port 3544 (UDP) Port 4500(UDP).
Once the ports are opened, the NAT Type status will change to open.
Check the NAT type of your Xbox X series
Fix-5: Test your audio output devices (speaker and headset)
If you are using an external speaker or a headset, the Xbox series X crackling audio issue can cause by the defective output device. A glitch in the wiring or internal circuit of the speaker or headset can generate crackling audio. To test the devices, connect them to your PC and see if they are producing a descend sound or the audio glitch is still there. In case you find the same crackling sound, replace or repair your speaker/headset.
Lastly
We have covered the most frequent cases when the Xbox audio cracks and produces popping or crackling sounds. The fixes discussed above should help you solve the Xbox series X crackling audio issue. However, if they don’t work, you may contact Xbox Support for help and report the issue you are experiencing.
If you find value in this article, you might also like our other articles on electronics products and gadgets-related issues. Read them to find easy fixes for your device issues.
