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Crackling and popping audio is one of the most common RetroArch annoyances. It usually means the audio and video are not staying in sync, or the device cannot quite keep up. The fixes are all in the settings, and you do not need to understand the deep technical reasons to make them work. Try these in order and the crackle almost always clears up.

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Why Audio Crackles

RetroArch tries to keep the emulated game running at the exact speed of your screen. When the timing drifts even slightly, the audio buffer runs dry for a moment and you hear a pop or crackle. Most fixes are about giving the audio a little more breathing room or making the video and audio agree on timing.

Fix 1: Raise the Audio Latency

This is the single most effective fix. A higher audio latency gives RetroArch a bigger buffer, so brief slowdowns do not starve the sound.

Open Settings, then Audio, then Output.
Find Audio Latency (measured in milliseconds).
Raise it in small steps. Try moving from the default up to 64, then 96, then 128.
Test after each change.

Higher latency adds a tiny delay between an action and its sound, but on most retro games it is unnoticeable. This fixes the majority of crackle.

Fix 2: Check Audio Sync and V-Sync

RetroArch can sync to audio or to video, and the two settings interact.

In Settings, then Audio, make sure Audio Sync is on.
In Settings, then Video, try toggling V-Sync. On some handhelds turning V-Sync off reduces stutter, on others it makes it worse, so test both.
Avoid running both Audio Sync and a hard frame limiter against each other.

Fix 3: Match the Refresh Rate

If your screen's real refresh rate does not match what RetroArch thinks it is, audio drifts and crackles steadily.

Go to Settings, then Video, then Output.
Find the Vertical Refresh Rate setting.
Use the Set Display-Reported Refresh Rate option, or run the estimator, so RetroArch knows the true rate. Many handheld screens are not exactly 60Hz.

A mismatch here is a classic cause of slow, rhythmic crackling that never goes away on its own.

Fix 4: Turn Off Run-Ahead and Heavy Features

Extra features cost performance, and a device that is maxed out will crackle.

Run-Ahead reduces input lag but is demanding. Turn it off if you have audio issues.
Rewind also uses a lot of resources. Disable it while troubleshooting.
Heavy shaders can push a weak device over the edge. Try a simpler shader or none. Our RetroArch shaders guide covers lighter options.

Fix 5: Use a Lighter Core

Some cores are far more demanding than others for the same system. If one core crackles, another may run clean.

For SNES, a lighter core runs better on weak hardware than the most accurate one.
For PS1, try a different core if the default struggles.
The more accurate the core, the more power it needs. Match the core to your device.

Fix 6: Rule Out the Device

If nothing in RetroArch helps, the device itself may be the limit.

A budget handheld running a demanding system will crackle no matter the settings. That is a sign the game is simply too heavy for the hardware.
Make sure no background apps are stealing resources on Android handhelds.
Confirm your firmware is up to date, since audio drivers improve over time.

Quick Checklist

Raise audio latency to 64, 96, or 128
Confirm Audio Sync is on and test V-Sync both ways
Calibrate the screen's true refresh rate
Turn off Run-Ahead and Rewind
Try a lighter core for the system
Make sure the device can handle the game at all

Most crackle disappears at the audio latency step. The rest handle the stubborn cases.

How to Fix Audio Crackle and Stutter in RetroArch