Sound plays a huge role in Helldivers 2, whether it’s coordinating with your squad, hearing enemy footsteps, or simply enjoying the chaos of battle. Unfortunately, some players have run into audio issues such as crackling, popping, or distorted sound. These glitches can ruin immersion and even affect gameplay awareness.

After testing different fixes and gathering feedback from the community, here are 10 methods to stop crackling audio in Helldivers 2.

1. Update Your Audio Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers are a common cause of audio problems. Make sure your sound card drivers are fully updated through Windows Update or your motherboard’s support page.

2. Verify Game Files

Sometimes sound glitches happen because of corrupted game files. On Steam, right-click Helldivers 2 in your library, go to Properties, and use the “Verify integrity of game files” option.

3. Adjust In-Game Audio Settings

Lower the Master Volume or Sound Effects settings to see if the crackling reduces. Some players report improvements by toggling between stereo and surround sound options.

4. Disable Audio Enhancements

Windows often enables built-in sound enhancements that conflict with games. Go to your sound device properties and disable enhancements like spatial audio or loudness equalization.

5. Change Output Device Sample Rate

In the Windows sound settings, try switching your audio output device to 48kHz or 44.1kHz instead of higher formats. Many games, including Helldivers 2, run more stable with these defaults.

6. Lower System Latency

If you’re running multiple apps while gaming, background processes can cause sound distortion. Close unnecessary software like browsers, streaming apps, or overlays to reduce latency.

7. Reinstall Audio Drivers

If updating doesn’t help, a full reinstall may be necessary. Uninstall your drivers, restart your PC, and let Windows reinstall them automatically, or download fresh drivers from the manufacturer.

8. Switch Audio Ports or Devices

A faulty port or headset can sometimes cause static. Test with a different pair of headphones or try plugging into another port to isolate the issue.

9. Adjust Windows Power Settings

Set your PC to High Performance mode in the Power Options menu. Balanced or power-saving plans may throttle your system, which can affect audio processing.

10. Wait for Patch Updates

Arrowhead has been steadily rolling out patches. If none of the above fixes work, keep your game updated since future patches may address audio glitches more directly.

Extra Tips for Players

Helldivers 2 is demanding not just on hardware but also on coordination. Keeping your audio clear is vital for teamwork. Many veteran players recommend making sure your squad is on the same voice platform (Discord or in-game chat) to avoid communication breakdowns.

While you focus on fixing technical issues, don’t forget about in-game progression. Some players look for ways to buy Helldivers 2 super credits or engage in safe Helldivers 2 super credits trading to unlock new gear more quickly. If you’re considering external services, always use reliable platforms such as U4GM, which is well-known in the gaming community.

Crackling audio in Helldivers 2 can be frustrating, but most issues can be solved with a mix of driver updates, system tweaks, and proper settings. Since audio is crucial for survival and immersion, it’s worth spending time to get it fixed. If nothing else works, keeping an eye on official patch notes is your best bet.

Smooth communication can make the difference between mission success and a squad wipe—so make sure your sound is as reliable as your firepower.