Problems with latency (Audio-laptop)

windplayer · Dec 15, 2023

I use my laptop for audio purposes. For some time now, I've been experiencing minor issues with latency and dropouts (see Latency Monitor: screenshot and report attached).The status report indicates the ACPI driver as main problem (also, wdf01000 seems to cause higher latencies at times). I've optimized the laptop for audio using several websites (e.g., optimized power options, changed BIOS settings, although I haven't performed a BIOS update in the last year - I also don't remember exactly how to do it).
Specs:
Win 11 (Version 22H2, Build 22621.2715)
Hardware: Latitude E5570, Dell Inc.
CPU: GenuineIntel Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6300HQ CPU @ 2.30GHz
Logical processors: 4
Processor groups: 1
RAM:16275 MB total
I use Windows Defender

iko22 · Dec 18, 2023

Hi,

ACPI has to do with Power Management. You could try disable Sleep settings, and see if that makes a difference.

Also, sometimes the main culprits are the Software Services that companies like Dell add to their computers. Go into services.msc , and see if there are any Dell services that can be disabled. Re-run LatencyMon.

windplayer · Dec 19, 2023

Thanks for helping!

SlicEnDicE · Dec 19, 2023

You are on Windows 11 which is not officially supported for this particular laptop. Neither by Dell nor MS. The drivers are very out of date. Especially the Realtek audio driver. Latencymon indicated this with the long roundtrip in wdf01000.sys (Windows Driver Foundation) Something is not playing nice with the new Windows 11 Driver Model.

If you manage to fix your issue in Windows 11, then great. (Probably need some driver updates that are not Dell provided, and they may fix the issue or they may make it even worse. Only trial and error will reveal this) If not, then I think you have to go back to Windows 10, which should work flawlessly.

SlicEnDicE · Dec 19, 2023

Wait a sec...can you run Latencymon again and post the Drivers report page results?

Spartan · Dec 19, 2023

I have this on all dell laptops including Alienware. Simply uninstall Dell SupportAssist and run any startup management program such as Autoruns, then look for anything related to DellTechHub.exe and uncheck them then reboot and no more latency issues

windplayer · Dec 19, 2023

I do not need a Realtek Audio driver cause I use a Focusrite Interface with Asio-drivers. Could you tell me how to deinstall Realtek drivers properly (I thought, I had done it). Thanks for the advice with the Dell assistant. I will try this.

iko22 · Dec 19, 2023

windplayer said:
I do not need a Realtek Audio driver cause I use a Focusrite Interface with Asio-drivers. Could you tell me how to deinstall Realtek drivers properly (I thought, I had done it). Thanks for the advice with the Dell assistant. I will try this.

It's probably easier to disable the Realtek Device in Device Manager, if you are not going to be using it. Trying to uninstall device drivers is usually unhelpful as they get re-installed on next boot.

windplayer · Dec 19, 2023

I can not find the Realtek device in the device manager :-( . I deleted the Dell assistant. But I can not find DellTechHub.exe in Autoruns. There is only a Dell Client Management Service or DellRctlService similar to this. I do not know if you think of these services to uncheck.
As attachment, there is an actual latency report and the driver report page. This was a wish by SlicEnDicE (see above).

windplayer · Dec 20, 2023

I also attach screenshots of the processes, one listed after hardpagefaults, one listed after PID. The PID screenshot shows the bottom because PID over 10000 (and there is one at 12000) are listed at the bottom, not at the top of the list (with PID about 9000).

iko22 · Dec 20, 2023

windplayer said:
I can not find the Realtek device in the device manager :-( . I deleted the Dell assistant. But I can not find DellTechHub.exe in Autoruns. There is only a Dell Client Management Service or DellRctlService similar to this. I do not know if you think of these services to uncheck.
As attachment, there is an actual latency report and the driver report page. This was a wish by SlicEnDicE (see above).

The Realtek Audio device, if installed, is located in Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers > Realtek Audio . Just right-mouse click on the device, and select Disable device from the drop-down list.

windplayer · Dec 20, 2023

iko22 said:
The Realtek Audio device, if installed, is located in Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers > Realtek Audio . Just right-mouse click on the device, and select Disable device from the drop-down list.

There is no realtek driver. I send you a screenshot of the audio-controllers...

SlicEnDicE · Dec 21, 2023

Seems Search Indexer is working alot. Let that one complete. It may take hours.

windplayer · Dec 21, 2023

Now, after some time, the search indexer is no problem any more. But there are still latency reports. There is a process by msmpeng.exe (see screenshot). Is there a possibility to reduce this?

SlicEnDicE · Dec 21, 2023

windplayer said:
Now, after some time, the search indexer is no problem any more. But there are still latency reports. There is a process by msmpeng.exe (see screenshot). Is there a possibility to reduce this?

Don't worry about msmpeng.exe. That is MS Protection Engine. What I would be more worried about is Explorer.exe. Why the heck is that so high? That could very well be your issue.

SlicEnDicE · Dec 21, 2023

You could ofc disable Defender real time protection and all the other things found on same page. And then test to see if it helps LM showing better results. I have a bit if hit or miss...with all set to default, I get 80-120us but if I disable AV, I get 14-89us. until some crap service starts and I get peaks of 600us and beyond.

windplayer · Dec 21, 2023

SlicEnDicE said:
You could ofc disable Defender real time protection and all the other things found on same page. And then test to see if it helps LM showing better results. I have a bit if hit or miss...with all set to default, I get 80-120us but if I disable AV, I get 14-89us. until some crap service starts and I get peaks of 600us and beyond.

Yes, you are right. I disabled Microsoft Defender at Firewall / Network security - and there are no peaks anymore. This is fine, thank you.

Is there a possibility to disable the Microsoft Defender with "one click" when going offline (and enable it when using the internet)? Perhaps, there are other possibilities to make this change in settings "comfortable".

SlicEnDicE · Dec 21, 2023

It would be better if you figure out how to disable real time scanning of your computer specific processes and files for audio apps, etc...

Also while doing audio work, close anything that you don't need...especially stuff that likes to write to disk.

windplayer · Dec 21, 2023

SlicEnDicE said:
It would be better if you figure out how to disable real time scanning of your computer specific processes and files for audio apps, etc...

Also while doing audio work, close anything that you don't need...especially stuff that likes to write to disk.

How can I do this? (How to disable Real time scanning...). I am glad that there is a possibility to get rid off latency problems offline in concert situations. But I agree it is not the best to switch the defender off.

windplayer · Dec 21, 2023

Is it an alternative to use Avast Antivir (seems to be the best free and lightwight antivir program) and switch off the defender permanently?

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