strange audio 'hissing' on PC

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

I have a Ryzen 5500 based system that has a strange audio hissing problem. The system in question is running Windows 10, and has one of those tiny stereo speakers installed into an empty 5.25" drive bay. The audio in cable from the back of the drive bay snakes through the tower and plugs into the green "audio out" jack on the back of the motherboard. One of the main reasons why I like this setup is the control of system audio levels with a tiny wheel on the front of the speakers. I much prefer tactile feedback for adjusting audio levels, just like I enjoy having a mechanical keyboard.

Anyway, this PC is disconnected from the Internet 99% of the time, but very occasionally we connect to load a new Steam game on it, or to get online when/if the primary PC is having any issues, being upgraded, etc.

Most of the time, the audio sounds great from games, music, etc. However, when I plug the aukey wifi USB stick/dongle into the front usb port to get online, then we have all sorts of audio static & strange sounds coming through the tiny speakers. This continues even when I turn the volume down all of the way, which usually silences ANY audio that we get through these speakers.

Anyone have any ideas on tests that I can to to possibly isolate this issue? I don't think it is a problem with the speakers themselves, since I never hear this audio hissing normally when playing music or games. I'm wondering if it might be an issue with the front USB panel, which is an add/on that I stuck into the unused 3 1/2" floppy drive bay. Thanks for any ideas - it's really annoying when we get online on this PC!

 

[TheStu]

It's probably the wifi adapter itself creating interference with the speakers. Something that I've done in the past to resolve similar issues has been to connect a USB extension cable and then snake that up to somewhere away from the conflict (ex. run the extension up to the desk so the adapter is at least a couple feet from the speaker).

 

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

It's probably the wifi adapter itself creating interference with the speakers. Something that I've done in the past to resolve similar issues has been to connect a USB extension cable and then snake that up to somewhere away from the conflict (ex. run the extension up to the desk so the adapter is at least a couple feet from the speaker).

Hey, I hadn't thought of that. I'll hook the USB wifi dongle up to the REAR USB ports instead, and see if it still makes the hissing. Then I'll try a standard USB flash drive in the front USB port, and see if it still makes the hissing.

 

[tcsenter]

Yah man you plugging in a radio transceiver a few inches away from your speakers, cables running to them. Shielding or relocate one of the devices. Should be able to turn the radio on/off in the client utility or hardware properties for the WLAN adapter, leaving the adapter plugged in to test whether interference comes and goes when the radio is on/off.