Windows 10: Crackling audio with no way to resolve that I've found

On 7/5/22, when the new update released my audio broke. in the previous update my mic stopped working. Can anyone help me and or point me in the right direction of help?

:)

 

Audio Crackles on Windows

I've been experiencing audio crackling on my Windows 10 laptop for a number of months now. It happens most often when I pause an audio source, like Spotify, and then play it again sometime later. I can usually resolve the issue by restarting the audio application but occasionally I have to unplug/plug in my headphones or restart the computer.

I've tried many things:

• Increasing CPU priority of audio applications
  
• Reinstalling audio drivers
  
• Reinstalling audio applications
  
• Changing Power Options
  
• Changing the Windows settings for the sample rate and bit depth of the audio playback device
  

None of those worked for me.

 

Audio Crackling

Recently, I've noticed that the audio with my speakers and headphones is "crackling". It doesn't seem to matter what the volume is set at, nor what program I'm running. If I'm playing a game, the audio crackles. If I'm listening to music, the audio crackles.
I've tried downloading/updating my audio drivers, but nothing seems to help.

 

Crackling audio. Skyrim + other games

USB headphones have never been kind to me. They always hiss, pop and crackle. The fact that you can hear it when no audio is being played suggests it's a power /connection issue.

Do you have any 3.5mm or RCA based headphones you can try?