Question:

How to fix audio stuttering and CPU spikes on Windows 11?

I have recently installed Windows 11 on my PC and I have noticed that whenever I play any audio, such as opening a video on Reddit, muting/unmuting on YouTube, or the UAC prompt, my PC stutters and the audio cuts out for a brief moment. I also see a spike in CPU processes during these events. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the audio and Nvidia drivers, but the problem persists. I have not found any solution online. Here is a video that demonstrates the issue: https://youtu.be/99qyf9_XEWU

Can anyone help me fix this? Thank you.

Answer:

Windows 11 is the latest operating system from Microsoft, which promises to deliver a modern, sleek, and secure user experience. However, some users have reported experiencing audio stuttering and CPU spikes when playing any audio on their PCs, such as opening a video on Reddit, muting/unmuting on YouTube, or the UAC prompt. This issue can be very annoying and frustrating, as it affects the quality of the sound and the performance of the PC. In this article, we will explore some possible causes and solutions for this problem.

What causes audio stuttering and CPU spikes on Windows 11?

There are many possible factors that can cause audio stuttering and CPU spikes on Windows 11, such as:

• Incompatible or outdated drivers: Drivers are software components that enable the communication between the hardware and the operating system. If the drivers for the audio or the graphics card are not compatible with Windows 11, or are outdated, they can cause conflicts and errors that result in audio stuttering and CPU spikes.
• High CPU usage: CPU usage refers to the amount of processing power that the CPU is using at any given time. If the CPU usage is too high, it can cause the PC to slow down and stutter, especially when running multiple programs or tasks at the same time. This can also affect the audio output, as the CPU may not be able to process the audio signals properly.
• Background processes or services: Background processes or services are programs that run in the background without the user’s interaction, such as antivirus, updates, or system maintenance. Some of these processes or services may consume a lot of CPU resources, or interfere with the audio playback, causing audio stuttering and CPU spikes.
• Malware or viruses: Malware or viruses are malicious software that can infect the PC and cause various problems, such as stealing data, displaying ads, or damaging files. Some malware or viruses may also hijack the CPU or the audio device, causing audio stuttering and CPU spikes.

How to fix audio stuttering and CPU spikes on Windows 11?

Depending on the cause of the problem, there are different ways to fix audio stuttering and CPU spikes on Windows 11, such as:

• Update the drivers: Updating the drivers for the audio and the graphics card can help resolve any compatibility or performance issues that may cause audio stuttering and CPU spikes. To update the drivers, follow these steps:
• Press Windows + X keys and select Device Manager from the menu.
• Expand the Sound, video and game controllers and the Display adapters categories, and right-click on each device under them.
• Select Update driver from the context menu, and choose Search automatically for drivers.
• Wait for Windows to find and install the latest drivers for the devices, and restart the PC if prompted.
• Reduce the CPU usage: Reducing the CPU usage can help improve the performance of the PC and the audio output. To reduce the CPU usage, follow these steps:
• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
• Click on the Processes tab, and sort the processes by CPU.
• Identify the processes that are using a lot of CPU resources, and right-click on them.
• Select End task from the context menu, and confirm the action.
• Repeat this for any other processes that are consuming a lot of CPU resources, but be careful not to end any essential system processes.
• Disable unnecessary background processes or services: Disabling unnecessary background processes or services can help free up some CPU resources and prevent any interference with the audio playback. To disable unnecessary background processes or services, follow these steps:
• Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Type msconfig and press Enter to open the System Configuration window.
• Click on the Services tab, and check the box that says Hide all Microsoft services.
• Uncheck the boxes for any services that are not needed, such as antivirus, updates, or system maintenance.
• Click on Apply and OK, and restart the PC if prompted.
• Alternatively, you can also use the Startup tab to disable any programs that run at startup and are not needed, such as Skype, Spotify, or Steam.
• Scan for malware or viruses: Scanning for malware or viruses can help detect and remove any malicious software that may cause audio stuttering and CPU spikes. To scan for malware or viruses, follow these steps:
• Open the Windows Security app from the Start menu or the Taskbar.
• Click on the Virus & threat protection option, and then click on the Scan options link.
• Choose the Full scan option, and click on the Scan now button.
• Wait for Windows to scan the PC for any malware or viruses, and follow the instructions to remove any threats that are found.

Conclusion

Audio

stuttering and CPU spikes on Windows 11 can be very annoying and frustrating, but they can be fixed by following some simple steps. Updating the drivers, reducing the CPU usage, disabling unnecessary background processes or services, and scanning for malware or viruses are some of the possible solutions for this problem. However, if none of these methods work, or the problem persists, it may be a sign of a more serious hardware or software issue, and it is recommended to contact a professional technician or Microsoft support for further assistance.