Static/Popping audio with Valve Index

[MRB]

I've been having a week straight of terrible static and popping audio over the Index displayport. It must have to do with my GPU, since I cannot replicate the issue on a computer with a 1080 Ti, and HDMI on this computer using an Oculus Rift doesn't give me sound problems.

I noticed that if I launch SteamVR using the Index controllers, the static is especially bad. If I launch SteamVR and immediately put the headset on, there's static. BUT, if I launch SteamVR, let it go into "sleep"/"put on your headset to wake VR", and then put on the headset, the audio is nearly OK.

I have a nVidia 2060 SUPER and Ryzen 9 3900X. Has anyone else experienced this? It's driving me crazy.

[MRB]

Replaced my graphics card with a different 2060 super and the static is still there. I guess this means it's either a SteamVR software issue, or a problem with my ASUS motherboard.

[Thrifty Chris]

was this problem ever resolved? I'm experiencing similar issues and occasional audio cut-out.

[MRB]

Originally posted by TimeFreak:

was this problem ever resolved? I'm experiencing similar issues and occasional audio cut-out.

I've found that quitting and re-lauching steamVR until the audio is normal is the only solution. Which leads me to believe it's a software problem within steamVR or a hardware (GPU power or temp) on my end.

[shapeshiftingpedro]

I've had this issue on my Vive before. Try going to system Sounds, and right-clicking on the drivers. Sometimes Steam doesn't switch the sound to the right driver, and I've had this issue for forever.

[ZenBird]

Having the same problem. Pops and crackles and losing audio and sometime audio, video and mic at the same time for about 3 to 5 seconds. I opened a ticket with support but its not resolved yet. They got me to try unplugging cable at the headset and reattaching. Tried that and different ports. The remarkable thing is that the problem started about a month ago after 2 months of perfect running ( after purchase ) and it is getting progressively worse. That leads me to think it is the cable. The graphics card is running cool and besides it is the audio that keeps dropping first. Could be some USB problem but then why would it get progressively worse with time? They offered to send a replacement cable if it is not resolved by updating drivers etc. I updated everything and no difference. Oh and I get multi-colored pixels now which is also getting worse with time. These pixels actually get less or more if you move the cable around a bit.

[ZenBird]

OK So support quickly sent me a new cable and this immediately resolved the issue. Awesome!

[andretious]

i think i have the same issue. my sound is fine at start then starts crackling and poping and getting worse till no sound at all. I can let the headset sit for a while and start it up again and have sound and then once it warms up same crap. the headset worked fine last week.... my rift works fine and rest of my sound devices work fine.

[SiEgE]

Cracking, popping, "mumbly" and "spiky(loud sounds stay the same, but quieter sounds are almost unaudible)" sound is usually a case of a broken cable. Especially if freezing HMD and cable up in place is making the problem go away or make it even worse.

[MadMajkl]

Hello, the same problem here - bigger or smaller colored dots (RGB- mainly G) at the backghround doing grainy picture and furthermore, audio crackling in headphones - terrible : and I am pretty sure, it is somewhere inside steam vr. Before that I had predator15 + GTX1070 + my htc vive pro, before last steamvr update (beta mode) was everything ok, after that terrible ... I changed my computer to brand new helios 700 + RTX2080 + htc vive pro ... after first install was everything ok, after first update of steamvr again this problem occured :( ...

[SiEgE]

Originally posted by MadMajkl:

Hello, the same problem here - bigger or smaller colored dots (RGB- mainly G) at the backghround doing grainy picture and furthermore, audio crackling in headphones - terrible : and I am pretty sure, it is somewhere inside steam vr. Before that I had predator15 + GTX1070 + my htc vive pro, before last steamvr update (beta mode) was everything ok, after that terrible ... I changed my computer to brand new helios 700 + RTX2080 + htc vive pro ... after first install was everything ok, after first update of steamvr again this problem occured :( ...

Might be just a coincidence.
I had a problem with my monitor, when red dots would appear instead of black color. It was because my DVI cable was slightly loosened up.
Your issue might be cause of either a loosened cable, or a faulty cable. Try and replace your 3in1 cable with direct connection to the PC. If green spots disappear, then your long cable is faulty, or, its connection inside of HMD is loosened up - try and fix that.

[MadMajkl]

OK, I have to buy one then.

[MadMajkl]

I have just discovered that if I am starting it from PC not via my controllers, this problem does not appear at all.

[Rayz]

Originally posted by ZenBird:

OK So support quickly sent me a new cable and this immediately resolved the issue. Awesome!

Is it still working good? I have the same problem and the new cable is on it's way. Hoping it fixes it.

[Rayz]

got the new cable today. so far so good.

[MRB]

For me the issue was interference on the ribbon cable connecting my GPU to motherboard in my small form factor PC. The PC was a Chronos built by OriginPC. Never again! The case was too small, causing overheating and the above-mentioned static interference issue. I just transferred everything into a properly ventilated case and it runs sooooo much better! and it solved the sound issue.