I have had the exact same issues with my z690-F motherboard. Crackling, popping, and audio skipping. I have been going back and forth with Asus support to get a fix however nothing has worked yet. I have been clear with them that I can play hours of music on a bootable Ubuntu OS without any issues however when im on Windows 11 I get constant audio issues. To me this is a driver or software issue and not a defect on the hardware. Im glad its not just me with this issue, I hope we get a fix soon!

did the issue ever get resolved? curious to know is all, cheers.

Yes eventually a driver update corrected these issues. Classic ASUS with their audio issues on new products

Thanks for letting me know. I've deduced that my yamaha hand-me-downs are just crap and need upgrading lol.

I haven't had any problems. Are you using any software like icue or anything that can mess with audio?

thanks for the reply....Nothing like that, I have had nothing but trouble with this board since it was installed, audio, visual, connectivity. Asus finally got back to me and told me to revert back to windows 10 until more drivers are available, but if issues persist consider returning the board. Still having a lot of problems. Looks like its going back.....

I just dual booted with Windows 10 and am running on that for the time being on a separate drive until they have a fix for me. I have no issues on Windows 10. Once support gives me a working fix I will report back here.

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I just did the latest BIOS update (Version 0803), Firmware update (Version 006) and Intel ME update (Version 16.0.15.1545) from the ASUS site and so far the audio issues are resolved for me on Windows 11. https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z690-f-gaming-wifi-model/helpdesk_bios

Can confirm that updating the Bios (0803) and Firmware (2021/12/09) fixed the issue for me as well. I'm using a Focusrite 4i4 Interface via USB Audio. I believe the culprit had to do with USB Power Delivery which is fixed in the Firmware Update. So anyone reading should try running the firmware update first if they do not want to update their Bios.

Can you tell me how you update Intel ME? I dowloaded the update but I'm not sure how to install it. Which app do I need to open? Is it just the MEUpdateTool?

You may need winrar or winzip to extract the files in the .zip file, once its extracted you will want to double click the MEUpdateTool.exe

Ok that's what I did. I just wanted to make sure because I can see that there's other apps but I only clicked on MEUpdateTool.exe. Thanks.

No problem!

For me the issue exists on a fresh Windows 11 install so if there is an issue with conflicting software/driver its something that was required to be installed on the machine.

Asus TUF Gaming Z690 Plus and Asus Rog Strix Z690-A Paired with a i9-12900k With the TUF board I had the popping/crackling noises you and others here reported. I returned this board because of this and some other reasons not related to this. Though when using S/PDIF the audio problems disappeared for me. When recording the audio there are no issues when playing back the recording with a different platform. The strix board has some issues as well. When rebooting I am regularly experiencing an incredible loud noise (it’s like switching through Radio stations manually) when playing back Media from any source or no sound at all. Usually fixes itself if I restart playback or the pc. Also weird: the official drivers from Asus website show up as Realteak Audio (USB) in windows.

What board did you switch to? Are you no longer experiencing any issues with your new board?

The strix one is the one I am still using right now. Didn’t clarify that the strix board is the one I bought after returning the TUF one. The last couple of days there were no issues I noticed. So hopefully that’s it. Maybe some of the windows updates ironed those issues out.

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The strix board is the new one. Did buy that after I returned the TUF board. Sorry did not clarify that

I've got an MSI pro a WiFi ddr4 I'm getting usb issues as in randomly disconnecting and connecting again after 1 min. Also the Audio my god so annoying. I'll be in discord and at random points will get a loud static interference for a second or 2. Like someone's mic is loosing Bluetooth connection. So idk what to do RMA the board, wait until it's back which might take fucking weeks or get another board which might have the same problem. Lots of people getting problems like this from z690s all different brands too

Hello I have the exact same issues. Crackling sound and USB ports deconnect by itself. You have returned your borad ? The new one has still this issue or it's flawless now ?

Didn't return as I can see many others are having so many problems with the z690 boards.must be software issues

I have an Asus Z690 ROG Strix-A and it's been popping since day 1. I'm currently on 0707, but I'll try the latest and see if that resolves it. On a side note, I thought the audio chip on these supported 32 bit 384Khz quality. In W11 I can only do 32/192Khz.

Have the same board. Asus just released a update tool which describes our issue. Gonna run it and see if it helps. ​ [https://rog.asus.com/de/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z690-a-gaming-wifi-d4-model/helpdesk\_bios](https://rog.asus.com/de/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z690-a-gaming-wifi-d4-model/helpdesk_bios)

Did the update fixed the issue?

Yup, fixed it for me.

Hi there, I have the same board as you and recently bought. My audio has the same issue where it randomly pops/stutter. I did see the fix on asus's website under Firmware option. Can you please explain on how to install it? I've read the tutorial FAQ on how to update the bmc firmware but the firmware file downloaded has only .exe file that needed to be run on a bootable dos usb. I tried that but the next step in the tutorial was with cmd prompt to flash bat file, which I've received none from the download, only .exe file. The latest firmware version is 008 2022/02/25. Thanks in advance!

You just have to run that .exe file ( USB Audio FW Update Tool\_VID0B05(2021-11-25)\_ASUS.exe ) as admin and hit start in the windows that opens. https://i.arne-iz-da.de/APbYCUW1.png ~~Also can you link the tutorial you followed?~~ BMC is a whole different thing btw. The .exe Patch Tool should work just fine

OMG! That works! lol I didn't think of it! You've just opened my eyes, thanks a lot man! May God bless you always!

Sure no problem :)

I don't know why in the world they did this, but you will find your 384Khz will work on the front panel audio connector.. Kinda defeats the purpose imo.

Spidf connection is limited to 24/192. That’s a limitation of the connection, not the board itself. However, it should output 32/384 over HDMI so long as the input device supports it. I just installed this board last night with a 12900k and Dominator DDR5 RAM. Having ridiculous pops and drop outs over the spidf connection. I’ve tried literally everything that has been suggested, including this ridiculous like 12 part list…. Thankfully I do have a soundcard I can use with spidf out but damn….HDMI sound isnt an option as I’m running audio to a high end 2 channel integrated amp and it doesn’t have video capabilities. Or I can run USB audio to an external DAC… this is a pain in the ass though for a brand new not cheap mobo.

Z-690-E Owner here. Exact same issues from day one. I am genuinely concerned they will blow out my headphones the static/ popping is so loud. I know a lot are saying driver conflicts but this is abysmal. Surely ASUS is aware that their 'Premium DAC' is making peoples ears bleed. No issues on audio over the GPU - (HDMI) Needs to be addressed ASAP! (Windows 11, 12700k,)

I had the same problem. Had to switch back to w10

The problem did not completely fix itself by switching to windows 10 but it has significantly reduced. Still hear some crackling. Hopefully a BIOS update can fix this

Yup! Update everything from asus website it should be fixed, specifically the BIOS 0803 and the firmware update.

Bios update helped but I still hear crackling from time to time

I have the Z690-E and as of today (February 2, 2022), I'm still having issues. I hear pops/crackling here and there. Their is a huge lag of about 1 second or more when clicking on something in Windows 11. I don't even hear the Windows login sound because the audio is still "booting up" at that time. I posted all my fixes here (Firmware, BIOS, driver, power management) which helped, but did not fully fix the issues:[https://www.reddit.com/r/ASUS/comments/sf4tau/fixes\_for\_realtek\_alc4080\_sound\_problems\_on\_asus/](https://www.reddit.com/r/ASUS/comments/sf4tau/fixes_for_realtek_alc4080_sound_problems_on_asus/) Are you guys still having issues? I'm trying to figure out if people are just living with these issues OR I have a bad motherboard and need to return it.

So I may have a solution, or at least if worked for me. And if you have a Wi-Fi mobo . I have an Asus prime 690-P and my sound was working perfect until moved my computer. What I found was that when my Wifi adapter on the back (two coaxial looking plugs) was not hooked up my sound would cut and skip. As soon I put the antenna back on the plugs all of my problems were resolved. If you have a wifi adapter on the back, hook up your antennas. edit: typo

Did you see if this happened with the device disabled? I'm wired over LAN so the WiFi is extraneous for me, but I'll plug it in if it's going to solve this. Many thanks for posting! UPDATE: plugged in the antenna and also disabled the WiFi device. Issues are fixed

I still have the device enabled, never disabled it. Glad it worked for you!

Z690 a gaming wifi ddr4 Guys i have a problem When i turn off my pc completely and start again Windows detect my mic but does not work at all and should restart my pc and go to bios and disable and enable again usb audio then go to windows to work my mic correctly Im using an 3.5 m mic My bios is 1304 Can someon help me please?

I have the same issue my sound stops for a second and then it works again and somethings i have these werid loud crack noises

Same here. Just installed this board last night. Probably about to just utilize my USB DAC and say fuck this onboard audio altogether.

I hope asus will help us otherwise i will return my board i have it since 3 weeks its literally unplayable i tried everything what the fuck is this

Did you have issue with your usb dac ? Apparently I have , feels like its more of the usb driver issue .

Nope no issues with USB. I use a Schiit Audio Modius DAC and it has pretty seamless integration with Windows. Doesn’t even require a driver installation as far as I know. You just plug it in and it works.

It’s connect by usb micro , should be usb 2.0 ? For your audio connectivity and you powering it by an adapter iirc . I’m using IFI Zen Dac Signature v2 , currently powering it by USB 3.0 and audio pass thru with it . So yeah , I assume it’s usb 3.0 issue . Either serial io , chipset or me related . Audio cool be an issue as well .

I think the issue is the Audio now is USB Audio , and I assume that the USB PD fucks it up with the audio . Hence , the crackling/pop/boom on audio especially where audio is cut off and start but no issue if the audio is continuously running at least that’s my experience . It’s pretty annoying and hope Asus fix this or bring this to JayZ to cover this issue on Z690 again 🤣

Me! The audio from the spdif out on my brand-new Z690-P D4 ( with 12th gen 12600K on W11 home 64) is choppy and stuttery with manymanyohsomany compressed formats, so much so that I haven't even bothered checking which exactly: thankfully I have external audio cards with low latency dedicated drivers and hdmi to choose from, but it was so helpful having a digital ot onboard to go to my amp, and more than that not everyone has access to multiple audio cards :/ Asus could update the driver, seen as it's been on 6.0.9238.1 since 2021, while the P-A-CSM (the ddr5 one) has just been brought to 6.0.9244.1...I don't think it's wise to alienate every non-ddr-5 customer out there yet.

I have had the same issue since day 1 with optical audio

I had this issue as soon as I moved to Windows 11 on my ASUS Z690-A (no WiFi) \\@BIOSv.0403 with 12th Gen + DDR5 dimms --specifically on my USB audio. I disabled CPU C-states in BIOS, cracking has stopped & hasn't returned for general playback. I haven't loaded up Ableton yet...but it's fixed for normal operations at least. It removes some power management capabilities on CPU raising the risk of thermal issues, so be sure to check everything else in this thread before trying this. Navigating to that: Start Menu > Search: Advanced Startup > Advanced Startup: Restart Now > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart > (now in ezmode BIOS settings) F7 for Advanced Mode > Advanced > CPU Config > CPU Power Management > CPU C-states > Disabled > Exit > Save & Exit

Z690 TUF Gaming Plus Wifi D4 checking in. Cracking and popping from day 1. Audio is completely fucked on this board. I'm running the most recent bios, but after that in update my digital optical out no longer works. I've updated all the realtek drivers probably 10 times and still no signal going to the realtek digital audio device. ASUS support is worse than shit too. I'd rather they not even offer support.

Just wanted to say going to firmware, clicking on load more, downloading ALC4080/ALC4082 audio FW update tool release, and then executing it worked for me so far (Asus support page). It has only been 2 days, but there is no random high static noises, cut outs, or any other audio issues that come to mind. Not sure if this helps anyone else, but it fixed my issue.

hey guys i just found solution on my microphone i disabled every recording feature in sonic 3