Audio popping issue

[DrGirlfriend]

Is there a way to pause my subscription until they fix it? I have so much game time but I'm not playing nor enjoying FF14 without sound. It's getting ridiculous.

[TermNerdy]

My wife has been having this issue since 6.0 and it got worse now in 6.01

The weirdest part is just how random it is. For instance, Pandemonium 1 2 and 3 are fine, but 4 is nearly unplayable due to the sound issues. She has to actually turn the sound off to complete that wing. Some fights in various alliance raids trigger it, others dont. Some dungeons, others dont.

We have tried everything we can think of (disable realtek audio manage, use dx9, update drivers, change listening position, ect ect) and none of it fixes it. It does seem to be linked to her camera position in her case.

Just wanted to add another voice to the pile. Hope this gets fixed.

[VelvetEX]

I have the same issue, i tried modify the sound of computer , switch for dx9 and nothing happens, the sounds continues struggling.
i tried in Crystal Tower, Return of Ivalice and maps of Shadowbringers

[Ifrinne]

Update 4 or 5 now.
DirectX9: Sound does not stutter, game otherwise unplayable.
Using the immersive audio: sound improves somewhat but sounds sometimes muffled, stutters in some locations.
Toggling with sound quality: No effect
Toggling default audio device: No effect
Using -all- methods provided in the thread: No appreciable effect.

[ArcheusWren]

I added the Immerse audio pack trial and it has resolved the stuttering issue roughly 95% of the time - but I now have the "underwater" audio, which is bearable but not ideal.

This feels like a really shady business practice by SE. They've created a problem and are trying to sell the subpar solution, trying to shift the blame onto the players hardware.

Over 75 pages and 700+ posts, not to mention other websites where the issue is being voiced. I think people need to start reaching out to game news sites/streamers to get this issue highlighted.

[ShadowedStranger]

I think people need to start reaching out to game news sites/streamers to get this issue highlighted.

Should we organize a fundraiser to hire a streamer to do a hatchet job then?

[Grimno]

I added the Immerse audio pack trial and it has resolved the stuttering issue roughly 95% of the time - but I now have the "underwater" audio, which is bearable but not ideal.

This feels like a really shady business practice by SE. They've created a problem and are trying to sell the subpar solution, trying to shift the blame onto the players hardware.

Over 75 pages and 700+ posts, not to mention other websites where the issue is being voiced. I think people need to start reaching out to game news sites/streamers to get this issue highlighted.

The Immerse Audio Pack does help it a lot, but yeah the audio sounds muffled.
I still notice crackling/slowdown during things like loading screens, and weirdly enough Endwalker Zone 3 (G) has crackles even with it turned on. Maybe something about the deeper bass?

[Shalyra]

Personally I've decided to stop paying my sub since the audio is ruining my game experience
It won't do much since im just a person but tbh it can't be my hardware fault, during the last update of SHB everything was fine and since 6.0 rolled in the audio got weird and its only on FFXIV.
If it was a hardware fault, why is it happening only and JUST only on FFXIV?

Seriously, audio is one of the highest points that makes a game good or bad... hope a fix will be there very shortly..

[vlokai]

Personally I've decided to stop paying my sub since the audio is ruining my game experience
It won't do much since im just a person but tbh it can't be my hardware fault, during the last update of SHB everything was fine and since 6.0 rolled in the audio got weird and its only on FFXIV.
If it was a hardware fault, why is it happening only and JUST only on FFXIV?

Seriously, audio is one of the highest points that makes a game good or bad... hope a fix will be there very shortly..

I have thought about this as well but I unfortunately subbed for a 3 month block of time just before Endwalker dropped so I am locked in to my sub until March with the extended free time they gave as compensation. In hindsight I wish I went month to month so I could just walk away until the audio is fixed. Could have avoided logging in to a diminished game. I am not playing any Endwalker at all since the beginning quest was bugged with audio issues in dialogue and music. Just leveling alt-jobs to 90 while I run out my sub. Old content is extremely audio bugged despite trying everything recommended. The only thing I refuse to attempt to fix audio is the paid spatial audio and Direct X 9. Not paying for a fix or reducing the game visual quality. Seriously who would want to play Endwalker in a diminished Direct X 9 experience?

Really just "playing" out of routine and prepaid subscription at this point and my enjoyment is minimal. One month in I am already jaded and have no hope of a fix anytime soon. My feeling is they went all in on this spatial audio in partnership with this 3rd party and cannot unwind the system at this point. I hold out the smallest of hope that it would be fixed in January.

[Ifrinne]

I might do this as well, until it is fixed. I know i have to resub next month again, but i can hardly enjoy the game right now. I just made a very well detailed bug report in game after testing even more possible solutions, its definitely in the game itself and has to do with the spatial sound engine as music or other constant sounds are not affected by the immersive soundpack, but the rest sounds all muffled/distorted as if trying to push the sound trough a mono channel but on both ears at the same time.

If 6.05 doesnt fix it, ill take a break from my sub.