Sound is delayed in Windows 11: Disable exclusive mode and lower latency

When sound lags behind video in Windows 11, it ruins any movie, TV show, streaming service, or video call. The good news is that you have several solutions. specific to eliminate latency and avoid those annoying clicks or desynchronizations.

In addition to disabling the so-called “exclusive mode,” there are key formatting, driver, power, and even BIOS settings that can make a difference. In this practical guide we bring together all the proven methods by users and technicians, and we adapt them to Windows 11 so you can leave it fine without wasting time. We are going to learn everything about solving the problem that sound is delayed in Windows 11.

Why is audio lagging in Windows 11?

Audio and video out of sync can be caused by a variety of factors, from a problematic audio driver to settings that prioritize specific applications. Among the most common reasons are faulty or outdated drivers., unsupported output formats, interfering audio enhancements, restrictive power plans, and system latencies (DPC) due to resource-hogging drivers.

Apps and browsers also play a role: a bad combination of hardware acceleration, codecs or extensions can trigger lag. And although less common, BIOS/UEFI settings such as ErP or HPET have caused latency and clicks on some computers.

Finally, there are streaming scenarios where the platform or network generates perceptible desynchronization across different devices. If it happens to you on your PC and also on your mobile with the same service, suspect the source or connection before blaming Windows alone.

Quick Start Guide: Disabling Exclusive Mode and Its Priority

One of the first recommended tests is to disable exclusive control and its priority to prevent an app from hogging the sound output. This setting has reduced latency for many users. with delays in playback and streaming.

Follow these steps in Windows 11 (classic Sound panel): right click on the volume icon from the notification area and open “Sounds.” On the “Playback” tab, right-click your default device, go to “Properties,” and select “Advanced.”

In the “Exclusive Mode” section, uncheck the boxes “Allow apps to take exclusive control of this device” and “Prioritize apps in exclusive mode.” Apply and accept the changes. Restart the app you were using and check if the audio is no longer delayed.

Please note that for music production and DAWs, exclusive mode is often desirable or even necessary. For consumption and streaming, disabling it usually improves stability. and synchronization with the video.

Adjust audio format and disable enhancements

Using too high a sample rate and bit depth can cause conflicts and provide no audible benefit. Test with “CD Quality” (16-bit, 44100 Hz) or, if your system prefers, “DVD Quality” (16-bit, 48000 Hz).

From the same “Properties” box of the default device, go to “Advanced” and change the “Default Format” to one of these standard qualities. Apply, accept and restart the team if you see the need. If you notice improvements, you've already located a bottleneck.

In the “Enhancements” tab of the same device, uncheck or enable “Disable all enhancements.” Software improvements often interfere with audio processing and create latency or popping sounds. The general rule for smooth playback: turn them off.

If you've tinkered a lot, you can also try "Restore Defaults" in the "Enhancements" and "Advanced" tabs. Factory reset removes odd settings that we sometimes forget that we have changed.

Troubleshoot and restore your device

Windows includes a specific resolver for audio playback. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot and run the “Audio Playback” option. It will automatically attempt to correct inconsistent settings or unresponsive services.

If the problem started after a configuration change, try restoring the playback device to its default settings (from Properties). This action reverts levels, improvements and formats that could be causing the latency.

Also check that the correct device is marked as default in “Playback” and that there aren’t multiple competing assets. Disable outputs you don't use (HDMI, virtual, etc.) can help stabilize the audio pipeline.

Drivers: Realtek, Windows Generic, and USB Devices

Many problems stem from drivers. In "Device Manager," under "Sound, video and game controllers," uninstall the Realtek/Intel driver if you suspect it's faulty. Reboot to load a generic Windows (High Definition Audio Device) and test playback.

Some users get better results by manually reinstalling the official driver from the manufacturer (Realtek or other). Avoid relying on Windows Update for audio, and downloads the complete drivers that include their own manager.

If you use USB headphones, DACs, or external interfaces, always install the manufacturer's driver. The generic Windows USB driver is not always sufficient. and can introduce latency or clipping when changing tracks or opening videos.

After updating, uninstalling, and reinstalling, check the Exclusive Mode, Format, and Enhancements settings again. Driver and configuration must go hand in hand so that the sound arrives on time and without crackles.

Optimizes power plan and processor status

“Balanced” or “Save” power plans can cut resources just when the audio needs them, causing delays. Upgrade to the “High Performance” plan or create a new one from the power options and set it as active.

A useful additional setting is to increase the “Minimum Processor State” in the plan’s advanced options. With a minimum too low, the CPU takes longer in reacting, and the audio notices it sooner than other tasks. Increase that percentage and see if the lag disappears.

On laptops the difference is noticeable, especially when changing tracks or opening streams. Combining high performance with disabling enhancements It usually gives an instant leap in quality.

Disable hardware acceleration in apps and browsers

If the lag occurs primarily in browsers or streaming platforms, disable hardware acceleration in their settings. GPU + video decoding combination can desync audio and video when the driver does not cooperate.

Also try another browser to rule out a problem specific to your current one. If the delay occurs in multiple browsers, focus on the system (drivers, format, upgrades, power). If it only happens in one, your own configuration is to blame.

Regarding older Flash content, modern browsers do not require it and Flash has been retired. The reasonable thing today is to avoid Flash and, if a site requires it, use another updated service or application for the same content.

BIOS/UEFI: Disable ErP and/or HPET

On certain devices, firmware options such as ErP or HPET have increased playback latency. Access UEFI/BIOS from Windows Advanced Startup (Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup) and enter firmware settings.

Check for ErP and/or HPET: if they exist, try disabling them, save changes, and reboot. Not all teams show both options, but when they are available and disabled, many report more stable audio.

Apply one change at a time and test. Modifying BIOS without method can complicate diagnosis; if it does not improve, it returns to the previous state.

Update Windows… or roll back an update

After a major update, some systems develop bugs that Microsoft fixes later. Check Windows Update for recent patchesSometimes you just have to wait for the correction to come.

If your audio started lagging right after an update and it doesn't fix itself, consider rolling back to the previous version from "Recovery." This reversal is temporary and has a limited window; use it if you need to work latency-free while waiting for a fix.

As a last resort, a clean reinstall rules out the system being the culprit. It is not an absolute guarantee (it can be hardware or app), but leaves the base software in order to continue discarding.

DPC Latency: Measure with LatencyMon and act

Deferred procedure call (DPC) latency can cause clicks, stutters, and delays when a driver monopolizes the system. Run LatencyMon for a few minutes while using the PC normally.

If you find problematic drivers (network, GPU, storage, audio, etc.), update them, temporarily disable them, or try older versions. You don't always have to touch anything if you don't hear any problems., but if you have clicks or delay, the LatencyMon list gives very specific clues.

Once you identify the suspect, act on that driver first. Reducing DPC latency is instantly noticeable when changing songs, pausing and resuming, and when opening videos.

Clicking Fix: HDMI, Fast Startup, and More

If you hear crackling when changing tracks or skipping videos, check for unused devices such as “ATI/AMD HDMI Audio” and disable them in Device Manager. Removing unnecessary outputs simplifies routing and avoid clock conflicts.

Also disable Windows “Fast Startup” in Power Options. This hybrid startup leaves services in strange states and with audio it sometimes causes noise and latency until you do a cold reboot.

If the noise only appears in specific files (corrupted recordings), an audio repair tool can recover the file. It doesn't fix the system, it just fixes the file.; useful when the problem is the font, not Windows.

Remember to connect USB audio interfaces directly to ports on your computer, without any intermediate hubs. Hubs add latency and outages when they do not deliver sustained power or bandwidth.

For those who record: Realtek, “stereo mix” and ASIO

If you record voice or instruments with an integrated card (Realtek, C-Media, etc.), install the manufacturer's full drivers and use their panel. Configure input/output levels in your own manager and not in Windows, to avoid duplicate processing.

Under Recording Devices, show disabled ones and enable “Microphone/Line In” and “Stereo Mix” if needed. Turn off “Listen to this device” on the microphone To avoid echoes, adjust levels and ensure that exclusive mode is only active if your workflow requires it.

The “stereo mix” re-injects everything that’s playing in the system into the input. If you’re recording your voice while listening to a bass line, leave it on silent to avoid feedback and controls monitoring from the recording software.

ASIO4ALL can reduce latency in compatible DAWs, but it doesn't work with tools like the Windows Recorder, and Audacity doesn't integrate ASIO by default due to licensing issues. Use WASAPI or a DAW with native ASIO support for real-time monitoring without delays.

Restore values ​​and test combinations wisely

Order matters: change one thing, test; change the next. An effective sequence is usually: Disable exclusive mode and its priority, choose “CD Quality” and disable enhancements, switch to “High Performance”, update/reinstall driver and measure DPC.

If that improves your experience but you still notice lag, go into UEFI and try ErP/HPET. Then check apps and browsers (hardware acceleration, extensions). Only at the very end should you consider rolling back updates or reinstalling Windows.

Don't forget the built-in troubleshooter: although it may seem basic, sometimes repairs services and dependencies that were blocking the audio stack without you knowing.

When the problem also appears on the mobile

If you notice a lack of synchronization between your PC and phone using the same service, it could be due to a cause other than the system. It could be the streaming platform, the network or the content itself.Try another app or server, clear the cache, and see if it's happening with local videos (files). If the local files are fine, the problem is out of Windows.

A 300/11 Mbps Ethernet cable connection should be enough. If there is still audio lag in streams, disable acceleration, change browsers, and check extensions. And try the same downloaded video: if it works perfectly, you know where to look.

In balance between time and results, focus first on quick local adjustments (exclusive mode, format, enhancements, power) offers the greatest return. Then, drivers and DPC; finally, BIOS and system.

With these measures, your device should play without delay, without any clicks when changing tracks, and with stable latency, whether you're watching videos, playing on platforms and making calls, or even playing games or performing light recording sessions. If something gets complicated, go back to the default values. from the device and retry the sequence in the recommended order. If this guide has not been helpful, we leave you the official Windows support about audio.