Want to stop click pops and prevent your audio interface from popping? Clicks, pops and crackles during playback or recording are some of the most common problems in home studios. The good news is that they usually have a clear cause, such as buffer settings, CPU load, drivers or cables, and most can be fixed in minutes once you know where to look.
What Causes Clicks and Pops?
Most clicks and pops fall into two groups:
- Performance dropouts. Your computer can’t process audio fast enough, so tiny gaps occur in the audio stream. These sound like crackles that get worse as your session grows.
- Audio content problems. Clicks are baked into the audio itself, often from edits that cut a waveform away from a zero crossing, or from abrupt starts and stops.
Hardware issues, such as faulty cables, ground loops or USB power problems, can also cause pops and noise.
Fix 1: Increase the Buffer Size
The buffer size controls how much audio your computer processes at once. Small buffers give low latency but stress the CPU. Large buffers give the CPU more time but add latency.
- Recording: use a lower buffer (for example 64–128 samples) for low latency, and keep the session light.
- Mixing: raise the buffer (for example 512–1024 samples or more) to prevent dropouts with many plugins.
Learn more about this trade-off in our article on what latency is in audio.
Fix 2: Use the Right Driver
On Windows, use your interface manufacturer’s ASIO driver rather than generic drivers, which usually perform worse. Download the current driver and firmware from the manufacturer’s website. On macOS, most interfaces use Core Audio, but some still need a manufacturer driver or control software.
Fix 3: Match Sample Rates
If your DAW project, interface and operating system run at different sample rates, you may get clicks, pitch problems or distortion. Set them all to the same rate, such as 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz.
Fix 4: Reduce CPU Load
- Freeze or bounce heavy instrument tracks.
- Disable plugins you aren’t using.
- Avoid look-ahead and high-latency plugins while recording.
- Close other applications, browser tabs and background apps.
- Check your DAW’s CPU or performance meter to find heavy tracks.
Fix 5: Optimize Your Computer
- Set your power plan to high performance, and plug laptops into mains power.
- Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth during recording if they cause interference.
- Disable CPU-heavy background tasks like antivirus scans and cloud syncing during sessions.
- On Windows, a DPC latency checker can identify drivers causing audio dropouts.
Fix 6: Check USB Connections and Power
- Connect the interface directly to the computer, not through an unpowered hub.
- Try a different USB port and a known-good cable.
- Use the interface’s power supply if it has one, rather than bus power.
Fix 7: Fix Clicks in Your Audio Edits
If clicks happen at the same spot every time, they’re probably in the audio itself. Add short fades (a few milliseconds) to the start and end of clips, crossfade between edits, and cut on zero crossings. Many DAWs can apply automatic fades to all clips.
Fix 8: Address Ground Loops and Noise
Hums, buzzes and pops when touching gear can point to ground loops or faulty cables. Use balanced cables where possible, power your gear from the same outlet, and check for damaged leads.
How to Troubleshoot Step by Step
- Does it happen in an empty project? If yes, suspect drivers, settings or hardware.
- Does it get worse as you add plugins? If yes, raise the buffer or reduce CPU load.
- Does it happen at the same spot each time? If yes, fix the audio edits.
- Does it happen only with one interface or cable? If yes, swap hardware to isolate the problem.
If your interface is the weak link, see our guide on how to choose an audio interface.
Recording Settings That Prevent Pops
Recording sessions need the lowest practical latency, which makes them most vulnerable to dropouts. Before you record, disable heavy plugins on the master and other tracks, or freeze those tracks. Monitor through your interface’s direct monitoring if it has one, so you can raise the buffer without hearing delay. After recording, raise the buffer again for editing and mixing.
Keep Your System Up to Date, Carefully
Driver, firmware and DAW updates often fix audio bugs, but major operating system updates can also break compatibility. Check your interface manufacturer’s support page before upgrading your operating system. Avoid updating in the middle of an important project, and back up your sessions before any major change.
When It Might Be Hardware
If you’ve tried every software fix, test your interface on another computer. If the pops follow the interface, contact the manufacturer. If they stay with the computer, the problem is likely its drivers, USB controller or overall performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my audio interface crackle?
Usually because the buffer size is too small for your CPU load, the driver isn’t optimal, or sample rates don’t match.
Will a bigger buffer fix clicks?
Often, yes. A larger buffer gives your computer more time to process audio, which reduces dropouts, though it adds latency.
Can a USB hub cause pops?
Yes. Unpowered hubs and shared bandwidth can cause dropouts. Connect directly to the computer when possible.
How do I remove a click already recorded?
Add a short fade or crossfade, cut at a zero crossing, or use a de-click tool in your DAW or an audio repair plugin.