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speakers make a loud pop when i start playing music

Ask By Chris P.132 views

every time i start a song after a minute of silence my speakers go pop. not loud loud but annoying. new speakers

Brand
Creative
Model
Pebble V3
Connection
USB
System
Windows 10/11
Browser
Edge 130
Sample Rate
48 kHz
Output Channels
2 channels
Crackling And Buzzing SoundsDesktop Speakers
Tool used in this discussionSpeaker TestStereo balance, phase and polarity across bass, mids and treble
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Short Answer

A pop at the start of audio is usually the amplifier waking from idle. Turn off audio power saving in the driver, or play a quiet background sound to keep the amp awake.

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Lars Neumann
Lars NeumannAudio Team
Electroacoustics Engineer · 6+ years experience · Answered Oct 22, 2026

Many powered speakers and USB audio devices switch off their amplifier after a minute of silence. When sound returns, the output stage switches on and you hear a pop. It is common and usually harmless.

If it is loud, or happens while music is already playing, treat it as a separate fault and test with a different cable or output.

Step By Step Fix
  1. Open Sound settings, your speakers, Properties, Enhancements and turn on Disable all enhancements
  2. In the Advanced tab try a different format, such as 24 bit 48000 Hz
  3. Check Device Manager and Power Management for the USB or audio device and untick Allow the computer to turn off this device
  4. Check if the speakers have an auto standby switch and turn it off
  5. Try another cable or USB port, then confirm clean left and right channels with the Speaker Test
Sources
  1. Microsoft Support

Checked by Amit Malhotra on . How we verify answers

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Community Replies 3

  • Brittany CollinsCommunity Member

    happens on my speakers too, its the standby mode. turned off auto sleep and it stopped

  • Derek SullivanCommunity Member

    same here, loud pop after being idle. annoying but not harmful i think

  • Benjamin ScottCommunity Member

    Mine popped when the speakers woke from standby. The auto sleep switch at the back stopped it.

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Lars Neumann
Written and tested by

Lars Neumann

Electroacoustics Engineer at Sound Test

Lars Neumann is the Electroacoustics Engineer on the Sound Tester Audio Team. Conducts strict transducer distortion testing, frequency response matching, and ambient room noise profiling. Active in international acoustics engineering forums and Mastodon. Based in Germany. On Sound Tester he answers hum, noise and distortion discussions, and explains how room and wiring affect what you hear.

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  • 5 answers on Sound Test
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Each answer is written by the specialist closest to the topic and checked by a second team member. How we verify answers

Answers are free general guidance from the Sound Tester Audio Team and community. They are not medical advice. For hearing loss, ringing or ear pain, see a doctor or audiologist. Opening a device can void its warranty, so check the maker's support first for hardware faults.

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