Slight audio crackling/static

[Stanley]

Happens with anything. Headphones, the speakers and earbuds. (Just to be clear this got fixed after like a few days after because of an update)

[Orange Capybara]

Originally posted by JR_zx:

very interesting, what exactly they fixed for resolve this issue with sound noise

"Audio board resistor was removed." is whats written on the invoice that came with my OLED LE after sending it back for "repair". What that is, I have no idea.. The background noise is definitely not there anymore tho.

[Orange Capybara]

Originally posted by bao:

Originally posted by (CZ)Fib:

Hello I've sent it back for a repair on Monday morning, they've repaired it yesterday and it arrived today. Issue was fixed. (Issue was static noise at all times in any headphones connected to jack, even with the sound was turned off)

Hi, did your Deck's screws have any signs of wear or stripping? Also, did you notice any marks or scuffs on the Deck itself? I hope they're careful with the repair process, I'd rather not have someone else open it, but at this point I think I'll be sending in mine as well.

I'm also wondering when they'll correct the production lines to start making Decks without this issue. Perhaps that's soon enough that waiting a bit for a replacement instead of a repair is the better option... Who knows.

I got mine a few days ago. I have the OLED LE and if I look closely on the screws, I can definitely see some of the orange paint come off from them unscrewing it. The screw head seems fine other than some paint coming off. I don't see any scratches or any other cosmetic wear or damage.

One thing I noticed tho is my LE makes a little bit of creaking noise when I hold it a bit firmly or tighter after getting it back from repair, I don't know if it was already like this before sending it back for repair. Happens often when I need to hold my Deck with one hand to sip my coffee or something. The creaking sound from the body makes it sound like a cheap plastic.

[Feral Walrus]

Originally posted by jiiyuurii:

Originally posted by bao:

Hi, did your Deck's screws have any signs of wear or stripping? Also, did you notice any marks or scuffs on the Deck itself? I hope they're careful with the repair process, I'd rather not have someone else open it, but at this point I think I'll be sending in mine as well.

I'm also wondering when they'll correct the production lines to start making Decks without this issue. Perhaps that's soon enough that waiting a bit for a replacement instead of a repair is the better option... Who knows.

I got mine a few days ago. I have the OLED LE and if I look closely on the screws, I can definitely see some of the orange paint come off from them unscrewing it. The screw head seems fine other than some paint coming off. I don't see any scratches or any other cosmetic wear or damage.

One thing I noticed tho is my LE makes a little bit of creaking noise when I hold it a bit firmly or tighter after getting it back from repair, I don't know if it was already like this before sending it back for repair. Happens often when I need to hold my Deck with one hand to sip my coffee or something. The creaking sound from the body makes it sound like a cheap plastic.

My 512GB also does this on the right side.

[Vyllene]

I'm going to RMA mine soon as well, I think.
Hoping I don't pick up the bonus creaking plastic issue as it doesn't seem to currently have that.

I have heard suggestions that lower impedance headphones are more likely to notice it, and that seems to track in my situation.

I don't notice the buzzing/static with my Sennheiser 599SE's (50 Ohms Impedance), (or it may be faint enough it blends with a bit of tinnitus I have as well )

I do notice it with Sony WH-1000XM4's (16 Ohm Impedance), and especially so if they're powered on with noise canceling active.

It's a bit harder to hear even at low volume in games, but I can pick it out from time to time.

[(CZ)Fib]

Originally posted by bao:

Originally posted by (CZ)Fib:

Hello I've sent it back for a repair on Monday morning, they've repaired it yesterday and it arrived today. Issue was fixed. (Issue was static noise at all times in any headphones connected to jack, even with the sound was turned off)

Hi, did your Deck's screws have any signs of wear or stripping? Also, did you notice any marks or scuffs on the Deck itself? I hope they're careful with the repair process, I'd rather not have someone else open it, but at this point I think I'll be sending in mine as well.

I'm also wondering when they'll correct the production lines to start making Decks without this issue. Perhaps that's soon enough that waiting a bit for a replacement instead of a repair is the better option... Who knows.

Hello,
No I have not noticed any marks nor any visible changes. It is the same new Steam deck oled 1tb that I have sent them 5 days earlier. It was very unfortunate situation as that issue was a deal breaker, but it was handled very well. All fine now. I want to believe that only some decks have this issue because otherwise would mean that all those youtubers reviewing it have missed the major flaw...

[Feral Walrus]

Originally posted by jiiyuurii:

Originally posted by JR_zx:

very interesting, what exactly they fixed for resolve this issue with sound noise

"Audio board resistor was removed." is whats written on the invoice that came with my OLED LE after sending it back for "repair". What that is, I have no idea.. The background noise is definitely not there anymore tho.

From what I’ve seen tested the issue doesn’t have anything to do with conductivity the screws, but how tightly they’re applied. There’s some components covered with back tape on the back of the audio board, so I would guess that transistor is pushing up against something when the screws are fully tight.

[bao]

Originally posted by Feral Walrus:

From what I’ve seen tested the issue doesn’t have anything to do with conductivity the screws, but how tightly they’re applied. There’s some components covered with back tape on the back of the audio board, so I would guess that transistor is pushing up against something when the screws are fully tight.

Have you identified which resistor is removed in the repair process? Is it actually on the back of the audio board? I've also seen some people say they've fixed the issue entirely by simply very lightly loosening the audio board screws by half a turn, so your theory could be correct.

[LetzShakeZzz]

Same problem on 512 OLED

[deaddoof]

Originally posted by LetzShakeZzz:

Same problem on 512 OLED

RMA. hardware bug

[Feral Walrus]

I sent mine in and got it back. The invoice says they replaced the audio board. The issue is resolved now. Turnaround wasn’t too bad, would have been about 2 weeks if not for the polar vortex slowing down shipping.

[FULILISON]

I have the same problem, did you solve it somehow?

[macien]

Just got mine steam deck OLED 512gb and got white noise in the background, when headphones are plugged in. Write tu steam support, I hope it can be fixed

[deaddoof]

Originally posted by macien:

Just got mine steam deck OLED 512gb and got white noise in the background, when headphones are plugged in. Write tu steam support, I hope it can be fixed

Yep. Contact support. Hardware bug. Grounding issues.

[akuzeN]

Originally posted by Darth_Shredda:

I do hear crackles and pops. It's mainly noticeable on the speakers of the device when im navigsting the UI or switching in between games. I do hear occasional crackles on BT headphones. It does get rather annoying. I hope this is patched up with a firmware update soon

Same bro, any luck?

[ZFreakZ32]

Mine has just started doing this too with The Last of Us part 1

512gb OLED purchased July 2024.