Webcam microphone now crackling.

[piotrjm]

Please note that information as you will see below was first posted to Audacity for their support view. Is it possible that recent Windows updates have created this problem?

Forum post to Audacity August 9 2020

In the recent past, using my HP Envy webcam has been good and burning my voice recording to disc was OK. Lately the quality has deteriorated to having crackling in the background that is unsatisfactory. Please be aware that this fault also applies to using the inbuilt camera app on video recording so the fault does not lay with Audacity. However, my Skype called party informs me that there is no evidence in crackling from the webcam. I have confirmed the drivers as updated for the webcam. I am approaching you for your point of view. TIA.

[KrazyToad]

@piotrjm

Welcome to HP Community

I have gone through your Post and would like to help

I suggest you download and run the HP Support Assistant from this Link: https://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/hpsupportassistant/hpsupport.html?jumpid=va_r602_us/en/any/psg/p...

HPSA will automatically search for all the latest drivers for your Notebook

1. Click My devices in the top menu, and then click Updates in the My PC or My notebook pane.

   

2. Click Check for updates and messages to scan for new updates.

   

3. Review the list of updates. Updates with a yellow information icon are recommended. Updates with a blue information icon are optional.

4. Click the update name for a description, version number, and file size.

5. Select the box next to any updates you want to install, and then click Download and install.

Also ensure Windows is up to date.

Select the Start  button, and then go to Settings  > Update & security  > Windows Update , and select Check for updates. If Windows Update says your device is up to date, you have all the updates that are currently available

Keep me posted how it goes

Thank you and have a wonderful day 😊

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the "Solution Accepted" on this Post and it will also help other community members with similar issue.

[piotrjm]

The support assistant has been updated. My drivers were checked as already updated. I went through HP updating even to updating the BIOS (whatever that is). The crackling from the webcam is still evident in recording from Audacity and also from the inbuilt camera on Video record.

However, prior to the above actions I connected to Skype and my party confirmed that crackling was evident if my LifeChat LX3000 was plugged in and if unplugged there was no crackling. On the basis of clearing from Skype, I removed the LifeChat

via Device Manager from the system and unplugged it. Restarted the computer but the crackling remained.   I am nonplussed.

I still suspect Windows update somewhere as the webcam mic has been OK in the past.

[KrazyToad]

@piotrjm

Thank you for keeping me posted

At this point I suggest you perform a Reset and let me know how it goes

Link: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c04742289

[piotrjm]

Thank you KrazyToad but there is no way that I am going to perform a reset if  it involves losing my apps. If HP can't provide alternatives, then it seems that I shall have to use the LX 3000 for the microphone because the webcam microphone is too crackly despite having been OK in the past. I am disgusted and I still suspect that the problem is with Windows updates. I am exasperated at the time spent attempting to sort out faults on a top of the range computer that is a little over one year old when the intention was to save time by its use.

Please comment.

[jamie333]

Do all of your audio sampling rates match? Default is often 44.1 kHz but some may be 48 kHz. Mismatches can cause all sorts of weird issues

[piotrjm]

Jamie333 I don't know what you are talking about when you refer to sampling rates. Please explain procedure to check these rates.  Where do you get figures of 44.1 kHz from?