[Bug] PoE2 Major Audio issue - extremely loud buzzing

I am reporting this as well.

I have a windows 11 based machine using an external AVR and amplifier for my speakers and sub in surround sound.

I have this buzz from the sub the moment the game is loaded. When the load screen is on the buzz is there as gears turn, when gears pause to access data (I assume) buzz stops briefly, then continues again.

It is present continually as long as the game is running. Immediately on exit it is gone.

I suffer PTS from Military Service, and Tinitus and this is bugging the hell out of me.

It's not subtle.

I have eliminated external causes with hardware - testing different amp and moving cables to ensure it's not conducted or radiated emmissions.

This is 100% a POE problem.

The buzzing changes when I manipulate menus in POE and open/close inv or options etc.

I honestly do not know what is going on - I'm stumped as a hardware and software engineer and can only think there is some sort of noise being introduced by their recorded audio noises and the link to hardware drivers.


I found historic threads of POE1 with people complaining about this and I suspect it's an issue in the engine.

No setting changes to windows fix it, and Linux users are having the same problem.

I'm using HDMI out for audio and others have used USB.

I REALLY HOPE the Devs will look into this because turning down audio channels to correct it is NOT a fix.

This is so persistent and annoying I actually thought it was a local noise to my home until I figured out it was the game.

T

Confirmed to still exist in 0.1.1g

Still happening on 0.2.0

please fix this is killing my ears

Confirmed to still exist in 0.2.0

Confirmed to still exist in 0.2.0d

I think this is a bug in the code that plays audio when a movie file is playing, perhaps the sample rate is mismatched or not set properly?

When the game is playing normally, there's only one audio stream being produced; whenever a movie file is playing (skill preview, cut scene, etc), there are two - and the extremely loud buzzing only plays when that second audio stream is created. I suspect that you're maybe setting the sample rate incorrectly.

This did not happen, for me, at the GGG logo in 0.1.0, but as on 0.2.0 it now also happens during the GGG logo movie at startup. Most reports seem to be using USB audio, but I'm not sure if that's universal. Most reports, but not all, happen when running under Proton. I think that some audio drivers compensate for whatever you're doing wrong, and some don't.

A friend of mine experiences this issue on an Asus laptop running Windows 11.

Please note that this isn't a minor inconvenience, this is a shakes-the-whole-house level of loud noise that makes the game dangerous to play. **People can lose their hearing over this issue**. Please look at this, GGG.

"

HungryLunchLady#5782 wrote:

I think this is a bug in the code that plays audio when a movie file is playing, perhaps the sample rate is mismatched or not set properly?

When the game is playing normally, there's only one audio stream being produced; whenever a movie file is playing (skill preview, cut scene, etc), there are two - and the extremely loud buzzing only plays when that second audio stream is created. I suspect that you're maybe setting the sample rate incorrectly.

This did not happen, for me, at the GGG logo in 0.1.0, but as on 0.2.0 it now also happens during the GGG logo movie at startup. Most reports seem to be using USB audio, but I'm not sure if that's universal. Most reports, but not all, happen when running under Proton. I think that some audio drivers compensate for whatever you're doing wrong, and some don't.

A friend of mine experiences this issue on an Asus laptop running Windows 11.

Please note that this isn't a minor inconvenience, this is a shakes-the-whole-house level of loud noise that makes the game dangerous to play. **People can lose their hearing over this issue**. Please look at this, GGG.

Confirmed to still exist in 0.2.0e

I echo the "dangerously loud" statement. I CAN NOT use headphones in this game, I will absolutely damage my ears, at least my soundbar isn't up against my ears and affords me some amount of protection. The sound doesn't respect volume settings AT ALL. Not even system ones. The only way to stop it is to entirely mute the system, or unplug the audio device.

I've gotten in a decent habit of muting my system before opening the game to prevent it at the logo, before creating a new character, before changing acts, and before I open the gem cutting menu, but rarely I accidentally press X instead of Y when trying to put a gem in my stash and blow my ears up, sometimes waking other people in the house, and I presume my neighbors in my apartment building as well.

This is a CRITICAL BUG, I'd love at least some acknowledgement that GGG knows it even exists and is working on it and that this thread hasn't just been buried in the forums while they spend time trying to change dumb stuff like monster movement speed (NO WHERE NEAR AS IMPORTANT AS MAKING THE GAME PHYSICALLY SAFE TO PLAY FOR EVERYONE)