Windows 10: why does my audio drastically drop in quality once i startup a game ?

this problem started a few months ago. when i boot up a game, whether i am using my speakers or my headphones, the audio quality drops dramatically, and the only normal audio is during voice chat, is there any way to fix this ? i usually like listening to music or a podcast while playing, and this is ruining the experience for me.thank you in advance.

:)

 

Bluetooth headphones drop in audio quality when running a game

I predominantly use my Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones on my gaming desktop with Windows 11. For the most part, they work just as well with same quality audio as I had with Windows 10. That is, until I launch a game. Every game I've tried this with, including but not limited to Modern Warfare, Doom Eternal, and Assassin's Creed Valhalla, results in the same issue.

I'm watching a youtube video in Chrome, and the audio sounds perfectly normal, as expected. But as soon as I launch Modern Warfare, the quality drops, and it the audio from the youtube video sounds like it's being played through a phone call. The audio quality returns only after I quit the game. I also experience a similar issue when I launch Discord, but only briefly, and then the audio quality reverts back to normal after a few seconds.

I know that on Windows 10, there are two separate outputs for my headphones that I can switch between. One labeled "Headphones (Hesh ANC)" and "Headset (Hesh ANC)." On Windows 10, in the volume panel, I was able to switch between these easily, and the former would provide normal audio, but the latter would result in a similar low quality audio that I am experiencing on Windows 11 while running any game. On Windows 11, however, when I look into the volume control, "Headset (Hesh ANC)" is missing from the list of outputs. For my headphones, I only see the "Headphones (Hesh ANC)" option, but it does not give me the consistent quality of audio that I expect.

I have tried troubleshooting both the sound and the bluetooth. I have tried updating the drivers. I have fiddled with the advanced properties System>Sound>Properties for my device in the Windows 11 Settings. "Enhance audio" doesn't help. Please help me fix my bluetooth audio problems.

 

Audio quality drops when using microphone

Whenever I join a discord call, the audio quality of my headphones that are really good drop down to absolutely horrible audio quality.

 

Poor audio quality after upgrading to Windows 10

Hi Eugene,

As you are facing issues with sound quality after upgrading to Windows 10, do not worry we will help you with this issue.

Provide us additional information to assist you better:

• What is the make and model of your computer?
• Are you referring to sound quality from the computer/ speakers/ headphones?
• Have you installed all the pending updates and drivers updates after upgrading to Windows 10?
• What are the troubleshooting steps you have tried to resolve the issue?

This issue might have occurred due to outdated/ corrupted audio drivers. Let us try the below troubleshooting steps if not yet tried and check if it helps.

Method 1: I suggest you to run the Audio troubleshooter and check if it helps.

try the audio troubleshooter.

Method 2: I suggest you to change the properties of Windows Audio services and check if it helps.

Steps:

• 
  Click Start, type
  Services.msc in the Start Search box.
  
• 
  Scroll down the list of services, right-click
  Windows Audio and select Start.
  
• 
  Select Properties for
  Windows Audio and set its Startup Type to
  Automatic.
  

If the Windows Audio service does not start and you get the error
Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start, then make sure that the following services are started and their
Startup Type is set to Automatic.

Method 3: I recommend you to install all the pending updates on your device and check if it helps.

Steps:

• Connect to the internet.
• Press Windows key and type updates.
• Click on Check for updates.
• Under Windows Updates, click on Check for updates.
• Try to install the updates being shown.

Hope it helps. Try the above and update us the status of accessing sound after upgrading to Windows 10 for further assistance.

Thank you.