An update from my issues I wrote about in October:
I had an issue with my SSD where I unfortunately had to reinstall Windows (and all the drivers) completely.
Some combination of the switch from BIOS 3.02 to 3.07, the newest driver package, and a fresh copy of Windows 10 seems to have fixed the issue for me. No crackling, and I could swear that the audio quality is better in general. No hardware changes other than a new SSD, same headphones.
Like many of the users in this thread, I hear a little sound on my headphones when the chip enters or leaves power saving mode. I’m willing to disable power save to as Passerine described above, but only when I have headphones plugged in (since there’s no problem when the sound’s coming out of the speakers). Here’s how I implemented this hack on Arch Linux:
First, I installed acipd (sudo pacman -S acpid) and removed the default acpid configuration, since I don’t need it (sudo rm /etc/acpi/handler.sh /etc/acpi/events/anything).
Next, I created two new files in /etc/acpi/events defining rules to toggle the power save state when headphones are inserted/removed:
event=jack/headphone HEADPHONE plug
action=echo 0 >/sys/module/snd_hda_intel/parameters/power_save
event=jack/headphone HEADPHONE unplug
action=echo 1 >/sys/module/snd_hda_intel/parameters/power_save
Once these files were in place, I made sure the acpid service was enabled and running (sudo systemctl enable --now acpid).
This seems like a problem I’d expect to be fixed in firmware, but until then, this is an acceptable compromise for me - no squeaks when I have headphones plugged in, better battery life when I’m just on speakers.
I haven’t (knock on wood) experienced this problem for a while now. Unfortunately, I’m not sure what resolved the issue, as I haven’t applied any meaningful software updates (as far as I know or remember). I did move a few months ago. Perhaps the issue really is due to interference, as some have suggested.
I am also experiencing this issue, I did not use anything with audio for a few days after getting my framework, but I noticed it as soon as I did. There is an electronic “beep” that occurs when the sound chip powers up followed by a strong/sharp background hiss, loud enough to bury some finer detail. This persists for as long as audio is playing plus around ten seconds before the chip powers down with another beep. All of these sounds are always the same volume and changing the volume in the OS does not affect them. This happens on Ubuntu 20.04.4, Linux Mint 20.3 and Windows 10; it happens on battery and ac power and is unaffected by which expansion cards are installed or which headphones are being used.
(Batch 8 DIY)
No such problem on win 10 after 5 days. Updated to new drivers etc.
When I’m wearing my headphones with the framework laptop, randomly I’ll get this short squeak sound come out of the headphones. It usually happens just after I plug them in and then randomly every 6-7 mins or so.
Currently I have the Batch 9 Framework
Headphones are Hifiman Sundaras
I’ve tried this with both Windows 10 and Ubunutu, the problem doesn’t change. I also did install the drivers and updated the BIOS to the latest version.
This isin’t that much of a big deal but I’m just wondering if other people have gotten this or if its just me.
Yeah I’m getting the same issue I just found out today when I plugged my headphones in for the first time
You are not the only one - I have it too - and so do all these folks
So I think @FrameworkSupport should address this - it is not a huge issue but it is pretty annoying for us - it is to do with the sound chip going into and out of power saving mode.
Easily reproducible - by starting and stopping a youtube clip - it squeaks as the sound starts and then about 30 s after it stops as long as no other sounds are playing through headphones at the time.
Ah! I didn’t realize there was already a thread for this, I guess I didn’t see it since it wasn’t on the Community support section lol
Hiya all, this isn’t a solution but it’s at least a clear update on what framework is doing.
tl;dr
Framework knows that this is a problem, it’s an expected behavior from the chip, and they are actively looking for a replacement to use in the future.
Edit:
More info: https://frame.work/blog/solving-for-silicon-shortages
Edit 2:
Disabling power save mode will stop the beeps but the hissing will stay on instead of switching off after a couple seconds
Sorry to bring this thread back to life, but it’s a bit strange the issue stopped for some people. I’m encountering this issue as well right now.
Yep, Having the same issue on ubuntu 21, constant low volume noise, and a bip before and after playing a sound.
batch 10, i7-1165G7, Win 11, 21H2, bios 3.07.
Getting same issue. Anyone knows how to disable power save for the audio chip on win 11, I’d love to know.
Also been having this problem, It’s usually just before an audio signal starts coming through (like right before a Youtube clip). All in all it’s not a real problem, I don’t get a constant noise though as far as I can hear.
i5-1135g7 Win11 21H2, Bios 3.07.
Check this! It should solve the problem if you are using pipewire driver.
This is only for Linux users.
I haven’t tested this, but this disables a power saving feature, so it can affect battery live negatively.
I can confirm that I too am facing this issue in Ubuntu 22.04. Is there a fix for this?
Also have the same problem, identical to @Passerine. My laptop’s from the November batch of 2021, is now on bios 3.07. Has occurred on both PopOS and Mint, while not very audible to me while actively playing audio, but very noticeable when not, there is always a constant background hiss, and the pops on start up and when plugging in and out of the audio jack are louder than someone snapping there fingers directly next to your ear.
I’m in my mid twenties but my hearing cuts out in the low 10,000hz range, like a 50yo’s, so no it’s not a sensitive ear problem, but a driver problem.
I’ve just been living with it since it doesn’t really bother me when actually listening to most content, but I thought I should share my experience with the problem anyhow, and have tried most of the solutions in thread (sans the arch one), without any luck
In my test you see an additional ~0.2W with power management disabled.
I use TLP and changed
SOUND_POWER_SAVE_ON_AC/BAT to =0
Works to stop the chips inelegant power on/off chirp but I have no solution to background static except lower quality headphones.
Just for reference, the battery has 55Wh, and if we assume a regular running time of 5h, this equates to about 5 minutes of battery life you lose by disabling that power saving feature.
