Opening certain sites leads to crackling on audio

[exxonin]

When I open certain sites, crackling on audio starts. I do have to close the browser and reopen it to solve the problem. Why is this?
Now it even happens on the linux mint site! I did close a tab on my browser where I was watching video, and now the crackling on my headphones has stopped!

So, I was watching video, no crackling, but opening certain sites on another tab at the same time might cause crackling.

[gibbs1984]

Wow, didn't think I'd see someone else with this issue, I have it too but I just thought it was my extremely old speakers playing up, will be getting some new ones soon but maybe it's not the speakers and this issue will persist with new speakers.

Sorry, don't know how to fix the issue apart from restarting the browser but hopefully someone will know.

Let's try to narrow it down.

I use Firefox when this happens.
Seems to happen either on Facebook or YouTube, might be other apps though.
Using Mint 19.1 Cinnamon 64bit.

[exxonin]

It is the combination of running video, and simultaneously opening certain sites on other tabs. This triggers the crackling on, when shutting down the video or closing the tab it is active on, the irritating tingling stops! I did try many headphones, but that is not it! If I unplug the headphones, the rustling is also present over the laptop speakers!

[MrEen]

Hi gibbs1984 and exxonin.

I have a somewhat usual fix for crackling audio but I am not certain it will help in your cases. This fix is normally for those with crackling audio at all times, but your cases are unique. It's entirely reversible so we should try it anyway.

In the terminal enter xed admin:///etc/pulse/default.pa (if using Mint 18.x or 17.x use gksudo xed /etc/pulse/default.pa instead.)

Find the line that says load-module module-udev-detect and change it to load-module module-udev-detect tsched=0

Save the file, then run pulseaudio -k in the terminal and test your sound.

Let me know if that stops the issue from happening.

[exxonin]

Thus far MrEen your solution works fine! Thank you so much!

[MrEen]

You're quite welcome, exxonin.

[gibbs1984]

Thanks MrEen,

I've done what you've said, the crackling sound was only random (at least once a week though) so I'll keep this thread updated with whether it happens again or not within a few weeks.

[MrEen]

Sound good, gibbs1984. Good luck.

[gibbs1984]

Been nearly 2 weeks now and I haven't had the crackling noise once since doing this fix.

[MrEen]

That's great, gibbs1984!

So glad that fix worked for both of you.

[Norbert]

Wow, didn't think I'd see someone else with this issue, [...]

Hm, I've actually had this problem with Linux (Mint) for years...
It's one of those things where I'm wondering why it still hasn't been fixed.
I'll try the fix/workaround mentioned in this thread, and I'll add it to my list of things to run after (re)installing the OS.

[MrEen]

Hi Norbert.

Some years ago pulseaudio switched from interrupt based scheduling to timer based scheduling. Some systems just don't work well with this newer setting, so that modification is necessary. I honestly don't know if computer age has anything to do with the likelihood of needing the modification.

Hope it resolves your issue as well. Good luck.