COD Black Ops 3 Audio Not Working or Sound Cutting Out: Call of Duty: Black Ops III, released in 2015 by Treyarch and Activision, remains a top-tier multiplayer zombie action first-person shooter. As a sequel to the acclaimed Call of Duty: Black Ops II from 2012, this game continues to deliver engaging gameplay.
If you are experiencing audio issues while playing COD Black Ops 3, this guide is here to assist you. It provides solutions for problems such as audio not functioning or experiencing crackling sounds during gameplay.
Fix: Call of Duty Black Ops 3 Audio Not Working or Crackling Sound Issue
Players experiencing issues with their headsets on consoles have reported on Reddit that the audio quality is significantly compromised.
Users noted that while the headset activates, the sound is largely muffled and played at a lower volume, detracting from the overall gameplay experience.
Interestingly, some players have indicated that their headphones function properly, with the problem primarily arising from the speakers.
1. Repair Game Files
To begin troubleshooting, it’s advisable to repair the game files through the Battle.net or Steam client to determine if that resolves the issue. Corrupted or missing game files can often lead to various problems. Here’s how to go about it:
**For Battle.net Users:
- 1. Locate the settings icon (cogwheel) next to the Play button and select “Scan and Repair.”
- 2. Click on “Begin Scan.”
- 3. Allow the process to complete.
**For Steam Users:
- 1. Launch the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
- 2. Right-click on “Call of Duty Black Ops 3.”
- 3. Select “Properties” and then go to the “Local Files” tab.
- 4. Click on “Verify Integrity of Game Files…”
- 5. This will initiate a verification process, which may take some time.
After the verification is complete, it’s a good idea to close the Steam client and restart your computer to ensure any changes take effect.
2. Disable Nahimic Audio Driver
Nahimic is an audio driver specifically chosen by your computer’s manufacturer to enhance your audio experience across various devices, including laptops and motherboards. This reliable driver is engineered to fine-tune and improve the audio capabilities of your system.
- To disable the Nahimic audio driver, first, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
- Navigate to the Startup tab, where you’ll find a list of applications that launch on startup.
- Locate Nahimic in that list and disable it. After making this change, restart your computer to see if the issue has been resolved.
3. Update Audio Drivers
If you are using the Realtek Audio Driver, you can conveniently access the linked article to download and install the most recent version of the audio driver tailored for your specific motherboard or laptop model. Furthermore, you can update your active graphics driver on your Windows computer by following these straightforward steps:
- 1. Press the Windows + X keys together to open the Quick Link Menu.
- 2. Select Device Manager from the list to launch it, then double-click on the “Sound, video, and game controllers” section.
- 3. Right-click on the audio device that is currently in use or experiencing issues, and choose the option to Update driver.
- 4. Click on “Search automatically for drivers” and wait for the system to complete the process.
- 5. If any updates are found, your system will automatically download and install them.
- 6. Lastly, remember to restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.
4. Reinstall Audio Drivers
It’s possible that your computer’s audio driver has become corrupted or is missing due to unforeseen circumstances. If you’re experiencing audio issues, follow these steps to reinstall the audio drivers on your PC:
- 1. Press the Windows + X keys simultaneously to bring up the Quick Link Menu.
- 2. Select Device Manager from the list to open it, then expand the section labeled Sound, video, and game controllers by double-clicking it.
- 3. Locate the audio device that is currently active or causing issues, right-click on it, and choose the option to Uninstall device.
- 4. Confirm the uninstallation by clicking Uninstall again, and wait for the process to finish.
- 5. After the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.
Upon rebooting, Windows should automatically detect and reinstall the missing audio driver or device if it is connected.
If the system does not reinstall the driver automatically, take note of your computer’s model number or the motherboard’s model number, and visit the official website of the manufacturer. From there, you can download and install the latest version of the audio driver.
5. Remove Call of Duty Black Ops 3 Config
To troubleshoot the issue with Call of Duty Black Ops 3, consider deleting the configuration file on your computer. Here’s how you can do it:
- 1. Open the File Explorer on your PC and navigate to “This PC.”
- 2. Locate and select the C: drive, which is where the game is installed.
- 3. Proceed to the following path: username\documents\Call of Duty Black Ops 3\settings. Here, you will find the configuration file for the game.
- 4. Delete the Call of Duty Black Ops 3 config file from this directory.
- 5. After completing this step, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
This process may help resolve the issue you’re experiencing.
6. Check Wires of Audio Output
Ensure that you verify the connection of the audio output device and its corresponding cables. Confirm that they are securely connected and plugged into the appropriate ports. This straightforward step can often be overlooked, as users frequently make minor errors or forget these details.
7. Disconnect Other Peripherals
Additionally, it is advisable to unplug any other connected peripherals in order to further investigate the problem. By testing with only a few essential USB devices, you can more accurately identify the source of the issue.
8. Test Out Other Speakers or Headsets
It’s advisable to try connecting different speakers or headsets to your computer while playing Call of Duty: Black Ops 3. This will help you determine whether the problem lies with your current audio devices.
9. Power Cycle your PC
Occasionally, rebooting your computer can resolve various game-related problems. To execute this process, follow these steps:
- 1. Completely shut down your computer and disconnect the power cable from the outlet.
- 2. Allow approximately one minute to pass before reconnecting the power cable and turning your computer back on. Afterward, check to see if the issue persists.
10. Turn Off Windows Sonic or Spatial Sound
To disable the Windows Sonic or Spatial Sound feature on your desktop or laptop, follow these instructions:
- 1. Open the Start menu and navigate to the Settings.
- 2. From there, select the System option.
- 3. Click on Sound, then locate the Related settings section.
- 4. Access the Sound Control Panel and choose your playback device.
- 5. Click on Properties, then navigate to the Spatial sound tab.
- 6. In the Spatial Sound format dropdown, ensure that Windows Sonic for Headphones is not selected.
- 7. After making these changes, click Apply, and restart your computer to implement the new settings.
11. Reset BIOS
Should resetting the overclocking feature not yield the desired results, it’s advisable to also reset the BIOS/UEFI settings. To do this, follow the same procedure as before to access the BIOS/UEFI menu.
Look for the option labeled “Reset BIOS Settings” or “Load Default BIOS Setup.” Select this option to confirm your choice. After completing this step, restart your computer to apply the changes.
12. Update BIOS
Numerous resources, including detailed tutorials and shortcuts, can be found online to guide you through the safe process of updating your Windows BIOS/UEFI, tailored to your specific motherboard brand. Similar to Windows updates, BIOS updates are essential for resolving various system crashes and errors.
We hope you found this guide informative. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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