GT60 Speakers - Random Crackling Noises

I have been having horrible luck with technology lately. Just about everything I buy will have some kind of issue.

I received my GT60-403US recently, and randomly, my speakers will start making distorted crackling/static noise. This happens about once every other day, and lasts for about 20-40 seconds.
I haven't confirmed that it is really coming from the speakers, but it definitely sounds like it is, and I can't think of anything else that would produce this kind of noise.
What is interesting is that this noise also occurred when I had my external speakers hooked up through headphone jack.

Any idea where I should even start troubleshooting this?
I can't reproduce the issue, so it is hard to even troubleshoot.
Basically my time window for troubleshooting is the 30 seconds every time that it occurs every other day.

 

Is it happenning only on battery? When you plug AC adapter it seems ok?

 

The last few times it happened, it happened when the AC adapter was connected.
It actually could be the power jack making noises, because my 16f2 power jack went bad once and started making noises.

I'll try to unplug my adapter next time and see that is the case.

EDIT: It just did it a second ago, but I didn't get that much info about the issue. I unplugged the laptop and also opened up my laptop which might have moved the cables inside.The noise stopped after 1-2 seconds I did that. Maybe it stopped because it just did, or maybe it was something I did. Next time I will only unplug the laptop and see what happens...

 

Okay, I think that I have confirmed that the issue is coming from my right speakers.
Unplugging the laptop did not help, the issue just randomly stops.

Looks like I may need to RMA the laptop...

 

It happened again, and this time I was able to capture a video for those who are interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M6csQHQxak&feature=youtu.be

It kind of sounds like a hard drive in the video, but I can assure you that it is not.
The reason why you can not hear anything when I opened up the laptop is because I did not know that my Galaxy S3 has a microphone on top of the phone that it uses when recording videos.
And my keyboard is missing because I sent it to MSI for keystroke issues.

 

Look at your cpu fan. Are you 100% sure it is cracking from right spiker? Maybe it is hdmi problem try to unplug hdmi cable to see if it helps.

 

This issue has happened when my HDMI was not connected.
I'm at work right now. Will troubleshoot more when I get back.
I'm pretty sure it isnt the CPU fan.

 

Grounding problem, maybe? Do you get the noise even when the speakers are muted or disabled?

 

The noise occurs even though I am connected to speakers through the headphone jack.
I have confirmed today that it is definitely not my hard drive because I removed it.
I really don't know what else I can do at this point.

EDIT: I noticed that the issue gets worse if the lid of the laptop is half closed, but I am unable to pinpoint any specific wires.

 

Maybe signal/audio tape is not assembled well. You can send it to service or try disassembly by yourself but you need skill to avoid breaking lower case covers.

 

If it's under warranty, I advise contacting the reseller or manufacturer for a RMA. It sounds like manufacturer defect.

 

I will try to get it RMAd.

I hope MSI does not let me down like they did last time. They would not fix an issue if they cannot replicate, and this issue cannot be replicated on demand.

 

If they can't replicate it, then you may run into a brick wall. MSI support is usually pretty good. But if they tell you the issue isn't arising on their end, they're bound to assume it's an end-user error.

If you've sent it in once before - especially for the same problem - then they may oblige to replace something just for your peace of mind. You might have to argue with them though.

 

I RMA'd a 16F2 in the past, which I also uploaded a video of the issue for, but the video did not change their mind.
Hopefully they will be more lenient this time.

 

See if anything from here will help you with your problem.
I know this is for ASUS but it may work out since this pertains to Realtek devices.
Good luck!
:thumbsup:

 

Thanks for the link.
However, I believe my issue is different, and that it is hardware related.
I tested this by disabling the audio device when the issue occurred, but the issue persisted. Also the issue can occur even when there is no sound coming from the speakers.

 

How are your speakers configured in the Realtek HD Audio Manager?

See the attachment in post linked below.

Also use the slider to balance the speakers if the right side has crackling or vibration in the speaker's membrane.

You can also move the notebook to a different spot at your location and plug into a different outlet to eliminate electrical interference.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/msi/703411-color-icc-profile-msi-gt-783-a-2.html#post9035834

 

The thing is that this issue occurs even with headphones plugged in (the crackling noise still comes through the speakers, not the headphones).
I have tried disabling the realtek audio device while the issue was occurring, but it did not stop the issue.
The issue also can occur even if the laptop is not plugged into the wall so I don't think it is electrical interference.
Thanks for the suggestions though.

 

My MSI GT60 is naking the same noise, crackling like static around the keyboard... :s
Could you find out what was that noise? did you fix it?

 

GT70's do the same thing.
Have topic on this subject

 

I sent my laptop to MSI to fix this speaker issue and also my keyboard issue (missed keystrokes mainly on spacebar)
Hopefully both issues will be fixed when I get it back.

The noise from my laptop definitely sounded like it was coming from the right speakers.

 

Received my laptop back from MSI.
I had missed keystrokes issues with my keyboard, which is now fixed, but the speaker issue is still there...
It feels like a waste of money that I spent shipping the laptop back (around $50) and the issue isn't fixed.
Going to contact xoticpc support to see what the next step would be.
I really don't want to ship it back, spending another $50, waiting an entire month, and possibly getting the laptop back without the issue fixed again.

 

Does anyone use the equalizer in Realtek?
When I use it, WAV sounds start lagging (windows sounds, chat messenger sounds)
I also noticed this issue on the NP9150.
Not sure if this has anything to do with the speaker issue though.

Also, the subwoofer is also on the right side of the laptop so the noise could be coming from there instead.

 

This shouldn't be related to the speaker issue if the speaker issue is hardware - specific. I haven't run into issues with .wav formats and the Realtek equalizer though. Have you tried reloading the sound driver (I hate for that to sound asinine, but driver problems are so prevalent)?

The subwoofer may be causing a vibration or rattle with the chassis, due to the low ends. So that's a very laudable theory! If you intend on getting it serviced by Xotic, I hope they can alleviate all of this for you. They've got a good team.

 

I was able to confirm that the issue is not coming from the subwoofer yesterday.
The issue started occurring yesterday in my right speakers. 15 minutes after it stopped, it started occurring in the left speakers (first time ever). I lifted up the laptop and the noise was not coming from the subwoofer.

While this was happening, I had all sound effects disabled.
I have tried both official and latest realtek drivers in the past, which both encountered this issue.

 

Could be the hinge screws loose, the hinge screws also secures the speakers and if I remove or loose the screws and touch the speakers I can hear the similar noise in your YouTube video, could explain why it gets worse when the lid is half closed:




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lg2VNiHZ7A&feature=youtu.be

 

Hm, I just checked just now and they seem pretty tight. I tried to tighten a little more so I will see if that helps.

I think the issue is something else though because there would need to be vibrations to cause the speakers to rattle.
The next time it happens, if I have enough time before it stops, I can try to hold the speaker and see if it helps.

 

Or you can observe the speakers when it's making the noise again with the control panel off.

 

Just a status update even though it is 3 months later.
I had shipped the laptop back twice more.
Still waiting for MSI to repair the laptop.

They are claiming that they are unable to replicate both the missed keystrokes (the period key was actually bad, which I did not notice at first) and the speaker issue.
I was able to capture another video of the speaker issue on Apr 6.
GT60 Speaker Noise Still Persisting - YouTube

It seems like video evidence is useless because they wont do anything unless they can replicate the issue.

I talked to the guy today on the phone and I asked him whether they have replaced the speaker the past few times I sent the laptop back, and he says that nothing was changed out because they were unable to replicate the issue. I was uncomfortable hearing this because they should have at least given me a call telling me that they were unable to replicate the issue instead of me receiving the laptop back only to find the issue persisting.

At this point, MSI has held onto the laptop longer than I have, and the value of this laptop is dropping now. (I reported these issues late December)

Just a reminder than I also had an issue with my previously owned 16f2 that they could not replicate and never ended up fixing.

Seems like I just have very bad luck with these kind of issues. I'm sure they repair other regular issues fine, but I end up with these kinds of issues.

 

I had a similar problem as you do, my msi 1762 had its left speaker making crackling noice when my laptop is somehow moved to a certain angle and stops upon power off(i confirmed it is the speaker cuz I took the touch panel off and physically touched the speakers just to make sure it comes from there), but after removing the CMOS battery(the only power source you have yet to disconnect from previous post) the problem is completely gone, you may try this solution and i believe your problem might have been caused by static charge which stays on the board unless all sources of power are disconnected

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I will give that a try when I get the laptop back.

and...MSI finally says it - It does not matter what your videos show it matters what we can duplicate and this laptop has no issues what so ever.

 

Let's try to help you find a solution, or at least find a way to make your issue always replicable. Most companies have those policies, so I understand it can be frustrating. But don't sweat it, let's instead try to find a solution.

 

I strongly believe his problem cannot be duplicated, when a similar problem occurs to mine it normally happens during or after moving my laptop ie. from desk to bed/ plugging USB cables that moves the laptop ever so slightly, when my problem occurs, it happens occasionally when a laptop is "shaked", online research has given me hints that static charge that stays in the circuit will affect speakers, therefore a complete circuit shutdown is needed to clear out the charge, thats why removing the CMOS battery is essential because it does not only keep the clock running but also monitors the power button, to start a computer a change in voltage/ current needs to be detected, which means power is contantly flowing from the CMOS to the power button, when the button breaks/ alters the power by pressing the other CMOS powered chip will initiate the circuit from either the power supply or battery to turn the main circuits on(motherboard and other components), in this case somehow the static charge in the power on circuitry interfered with one of the wire, which unfortunately is the speaker wire. Interference of static charge is unpredictable and requires an engineering professional to explain it fully, but another observable proof is that the wireless antenna cable does not go through the main board that has a lot of wires(PCB) carrying current

 

I think I've been being CC'd into these emails with the service team over at MSI as well and I've been keeping Eric in the loop with those emails as well. I have a similar problem on my Asus UX51 machine when I first start it up in the morning. Never happens in the evenings, only when I first get into the office. Disappears after about 30 minutes. I find it pretty annoying myself while it's going on, but then completely forget about it when it stops. Henry over at MSI stated that he had it sitting at his desk all day and didn't notice anything occur which leads me to believe it's a similar issue as what I have and what was detailed in the post above.

 

To be fair on my problem I'm still at the experimental stage, its been 3 weeks since I removed the CMOS battery, this test can still be wrong but the margin of error is so small that it is likely my solution solves the problem. to duplicate the problem tho, requires one to test the unit NOT on a stationary surface, but simulate tiny shakes of the laptop ie. moving it, however compact the unit is, during a shake some wires/data cable WILL move, and since static charge on circuits will dissipate a very weak magnetic field it might interfere with wires or other circuits during the shake by inducing an interfering frequency of charge, remember the speakers crackling is at a constant rate, meaning data signals and power going to the speaker is interfered at a constant rate, which means a lower frequency charge is pumped to the speaker that causes a 2-5 hzs crackling sound output

 

Ok peoples there is fix for cracking sound but you need to send notebook to service. It is needed to change resistor on mainboard - soldering job but I had issue with cracking sound only on battery mode. Now fix resolve problem in 100% cases.
I can`t paste photos witch one is needed to swap .

 

I need to convince MSI that there is an issue with the laptop before they will even attempt to fix it.
MSI has shipped my laptop back last week, I should be getting it this Wednesday.
They replaced the speakers, so I will have to see if that helped.
Haswell is out now, so I'm not happy at all that I didn't even get to use my laptop (Received this laptop in December)
Also getting frustrated knowing that if the issue persists and MSI will not fix the issue, then there is nothing that I can do but to hope that XoticPC can help me out, or I transfer the frustration to someone else by selling it (Which I'd prefer not to do)