Audio Crackling or Popping Problem

[OmenArne]

Hi,

I have an issue (or actually 2 which I think can be related)

1. Audio Crackling or Popping Problem from time to time (and picture lags for some milliseconds)

- This happens in varios streaming services through Edge or Chrome, VLC and other apps

2. When I boot my PC the picture freeze, and when I turn the monitor off and on the picture is back and clear

I have tried to re-install Windows 11 22H2 twice now (from scratch) and the issues are still there.

I have the latest Nvidia RTX 3070 drivers, ran HP Support Assist, just updated my BIOS to F14, no additional updates under advanced in Microsoft Update, ran Windows Audio troubleshooter, uninstalled drivers and so on... All apps are also up to date.

I see that my Realtek audio driver is pretty old, but I cannot find any newer version, not on the Realtak site either:

https://www.realtek.com/en/component/zoo/advanced-search/75?Itemid=276

My current driver is over 1 year old (I bought the PC a month back):

Is there a newer one available (must it be OEM - no drivers are on the drivers page for my computer on hp.com)?

DXDIAG doesn't report any issues either:

So now I'm using my 5 year old Asus ROG with GTX1060 again to watch HBO etc...

Anyone know how to fix this, as a re-install doesn't seem to fix this issue.

Please help my new buddy on the left:

Thanks!

[OmenArne · Accepted solution]

---=== FIXED ===---

I finally figured it out! By disabling Core Isolation in Microsoft Defender everything is fine! Not sure why... (anyone?), but with this checked to "NO" the computer is much smoother and there's no lag. cracking or popping in sound anymore and the display is acting like normal with no freeze.

I tried to understand this article, but I couldn't find anything that could point me in the right resolution of "the why".. 

https://appuals.com/enable-or-disable-core-isolation-memory-integrity-windows-11/ 

Please comment if you have an idea!