Troubleshoot Audio Problems in WindowsAudio Playback quality problems Troubleshooting Audio Problems in Windows Audio is distorted, skips or stutters, or the volume is too high or too low.
To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
| Check the basics If you are using speakers, make sure that your speakers are powered on. Locate the cable that connects your speakers to your computer, verify that the cable is plugged into the correct jack on the computer and then verify that the cable is plugged into the speakers. Then, unplug the cable from the computer, wait a few seconds, and then plug it in again. Also, make sure that the cable is plugged into the speakers.  |  | A typical USB cable and port | A typical 1/8 inch line-out jack |
If you are using headphones, unplug the headphones, wait a few seconds, and then plug them in again. If you have an extra set of headphones, plug them in to verify that the problem is not related to the set of headphones you were using.
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1 Check the basics | 2 Run diagnostics |
| Run diagnostics Automatically diagnose and repair problems with sound and audio on your computer. This diagnostic can fix the following issues: Audio device driver updates, problems with audio services, audio device configuration, connection problems, device volume levels, and device configuration. Run the diagnostic
By clicking Run now, you agree to the terms referenced in the Microsoft License Agreement.
Run now Please note: |
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1 Check the basics | 2 Run diagnostics | 3 Additional resources |
| Additional resources You can also try these additional resources to fix your problem. 
| Update your audio driver To download and install the latest driver for your sound card, visit the Web site of your computer’s manufacturer. | | | | | | |
| Disable speaker enhancements In some cases, you can work around this problem by disabling the optional speaker enhancements. | | | To do this, follow these steps:
- Click Start
 , click Control Panel, click Hardware and Sound, and then click Sound. - On the Playback tab, click Speakers, and then click Properties.
- Click the Enhancements tab, and then select the Disable all enhancements check box.
If you do not see an Enhancements tab in the Speakers Properties dialog box, those features are not available for your speakers, and you can safely ignore this procedure.
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| Make sure Windows is up to date Your problem may be resolved by updating Windows. | | |
Launch Windows Update | | | Launching Windows Update... Windows Update is now included in Control Panel. In the future, to check for updates (or if this webpage doesn’t open Windows Update automatically): - Click the Start button, clickAll Programs, and then click Windows Update.
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| Sound Recorder: recorded audio may contain pops, clicks, or other distortions | | | This problem can occur if the recording volume is too high. This causes data clipping in the recording.
Resolution: Decrease the volume output of the device that is connected to the line-in port on the sound card. For example, if you have a portable MP3 player that is connected through the headphone jack of the device, reduce the volume of the MP3 device.
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| On a laptop, audio may not be synchronized with video playback when you play a video | | | Playback of multimedia content requires lots of processor resources. These kinds of multimedia include high-definition video, DVD video, and some audio formats. The processor may be unable to deliver the required performance for video playback , depending on the resolution and frame rate of the video. Therefore, audio playback may not be synchronized with the video playback. Resolution: To work around this problem, change the active power plan to Balanced or to High Performance. Click Start  , type power in the Start Search box, and then click Power Options in the Programs list.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type your password or click Continue.
Under Select a power plan, click Balanced or click High performance.
Note: The computer manufacturer may have changed the names of the power plans.
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| Ask the community Ask questions and find answers related to Windows Vista on Microsoft Answers | | | |
| Contact a Microsoft Support Professional Microsoft provides unique options based on the type of support that you need | | |  | Microsoft Online Assisted Support | Support may be available for no charge or may cost money, depending on the type of support that you need. Support may also be offered by the company that manufactured your computer.  Start Support Request
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