Microsoft investigating new Windows 10 high-pitched noise issue

Microsoft is working on resolving a high-pitched noise issue Windows 10 users hear when using some 5.1 audio configurations after applying recently released cumulative updates.

"After installing KB5000842 or later updates, 5.1 Dolby Digital audio may play containing a high-pitched noise or squeak in certain apps when using certain audio devices and Windows settings," Microsoft explains on the Windows 10 Health Dashboard.

As the company adds, the newly acknowledged issue does not occur on systems where stereo audio is used.

The high-pitched noise issue only affects the Windows 10, version 20H2 and Windows 10, version 2004 client platforms.

Microsoft is currently working on resolving the known issue, with a fix to be delivered to affected systems in an upcoming release.

Until the audio problems are fixed, Redmond provides the following workarounds to help impacted users mitigate the issue:

• Streaming the video or audio in a web browser or different app instead of the app affected by this issue.
• Enable Spatial sound settings by right-clicking or long-pressing on the volume icon in the notification area, selecting Spatial sound (Off), and select any available options.

Previously fixed Windows 10 audio issues

Microsoft also removed the last remaining compatibility holds, blocking customers from upgrading to Windows 10 2004 and 20H2 after fixing Conexant and Synaptics audio driver issues, causing errors and problems while updating.

These issues impacted computers with Conexant ISST audio drivers and Conexant or Synaptics audio devices and have been under investigation since May 2020, when the first Windows 10 2004 version was released.

In December 2020, the company removed two more update blocks associated with Conexant audio driver issues causing BSOD crashes.

Microsoft customers have also had to deal with audio 'difficulties' in the past, with Windows 10 audio problems affecting gamers in September 2019 and Windows 10 issues causing audio to no longer work after system updates.