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OverviewFix 1 — Exclusive ModeFix 2 — Sample RateFix 3 — Driver ReinstallFix 4 — Power Saving
The Dell XPS 13 9340 speakers or headphones produce crackling or popping sounds during audio playback. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H uses Realtek HD Audio for speaker output. Buffer management issues and exclusive mode conflicts are the most common causes on this platform.
Fix 1 — Disable Exclusive Mode
- Right-click the speaker icon → Sound settings → More sound settings
- Playback tab → Speakers (Realtek) → Properties → Advanced tab
- Uncheck “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device”
- Also uncheck “Give exclusive mode applications priority”
- Click OK and test audio
Fix 2 — Set Sample Rate to 24-bit 48000 Hz
Same Speakers Properties → Advanced tab. In the Default Format dropdown, select 24 bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality). Click Test — if crackling stops with this rate, the mismatch was the cause.
Fix 3 — Reinstall Realtek Audio Driver
Download the Realtek audio driver from Dell Support for XPS 13 9340. Uninstall in Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers → Realtek High Definition Audio. Install the Dell version and restart.
Fix 4 — Disable USB Audio Power Saving
If using a USB audio adapter or headset, device Manager → USB audio device → Properties → Power Management → uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
“Disabling exclusive mode and setting 48000 Hz sample rate fixed the audio crackling on my XPS 13 9340.” — Luqman, Kuala Lumpur
Ryan holds a Computer Science degree and has spent over 15 years troubleshooting Windows hardware and driver issues across major laptop brands. He writes practical, step-by-step guides for everyday users at softwaredriverdownload.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does audio crackle on Dell XPS 13 9340?
The Dell XPS 13 9340 uses a Realtek audio codec paired with the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. Crackling audio is commonly caused by the Windows audio exclusive mode setting, which can cause buffer underruns when apps compete for the audio device.
How do I fix audio crackling on Dell XPS 13 9340?
Right-click the speaker icon → Sound settings → More sound settings → Playback tab → Speakers → Properties → Advanced tab. Uncheck “Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.” This prevents buffer conflicts.
Can the sample rate cause crackling on Dell XPS 13 9340?
Yes. If the Windows audio sample rate does not match the rate the Realtek codec operates at, digital resampling can introduce crackling. Set the sample rate in the Advanced tab of Speaker Properties to 24-bit 48000 Hz for the XPS 13 9340.
Which audio driver should I use on Dell XPS 13 9340?
Download the Realtek High Definition Audio driver from Dell Support using your XPS 13 9340 service tag. The Dell-supplied version is calibrated for the specific speaker and amplifier components in the XPS 13 9340.
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