How to Fix MSI Raider GE78 HX Scratching Noise and Freezing Issues in Windows 11

If your MSI Raider GE78 HX laptop creates a scratching noise through earphones and randomly freezes for several minutes, you’re not alone. Many MSI users have reported this frustrating issue on Windows 11 — usually during gaming, streaming, or any task involving audio and video playback.

The scratching or crackling sound often appears when your laptop is under GPU or audio load — for example, during gameplay, YouTube videos, or heavy multitasking. The system may freeze for 3–5 minutes, then resume normal operation.

Interestingly, the issue doesn’t appear when the system is idle, which points toward driver, hardware communication, or latency conflicts between the GPU, audio device, and CPU.

Common Causes

Before we fix it, here are the most common culprits:

1. Outdated or unstable GPU or audio drivers
2. BIOS or chipset firmware conflicts
3. DPC latency spikes (Deferred Procedure Call delays that cause audio stutter and UI lockups)
4. Loose internal cables or headphone jack connections
5. Background software or performance modes (MSI Center) interfering with hardware switching

Step-by-Step Fix Guide

1. Update BIOS and Chipset Drivers

MSI regularly releases BIOS updates to address stability issues.

• Visit the MSI support page.
• Download the latest BIOS for your exact model (GE78 HX 13VI/13VH).
• Follow MSI’s BIOS update instructions carefully.
• After reboot, install the latest Intel Chipset Driver from the same page.

Tip: BIOS and chipset updates often fix deep hardware communication issues responsible for audio pops and freezes.

2. Perform a Clean Reinstall of GPU Drivers

Faulty or buggy NVIDIA drivers are a leading cause of this issue.

1. Boot into Safe Mode.
2. Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to completely remove NVIDIA drivers.
3. Reboot and install a stable version such as 528.xx or 551.xx (avoid problematic 531.xx versions).
4. Disable NVIDIA HD Audio if you use Realtek/Intel audio — it can reduce driver conflicts.

3. Reinstall or Update Audio Drivers

• Go to Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers.
• Right-click your Realtek Audio (or Intel Smart Sound Technology) device → Uninstall Device.
• Check “Delete driver software for this device.”
• Reboot and install the latest Realtek Audio Driver from MSI’s official site.

Then, test both headphone and speaker output. If the noise appears only on headphones, you may have a loose headphone-jack board connection (see Step 7).

4. Check for DPC Latency Problems

Use LatencyMon to detect if specific drivers are delaying audio/video processing.

• Run the tool while playing a game or video.
• Look for red or high-latency results under the Drivers tab.
• If a driver like nvlddmkm.sys or audiodg.exe spikes, update or roll back that driver.

Reducing background tasks and disabling real-time antivirus scanning can also improve latency performance.

5. Disable Unnecessary Background Apps and Services

A clean boot can help isolate third-party interference.

1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
2. Go to Services > Hide all Microsoft services > Disable all.
3. In Startup, open Task Manager and disable all non-essential programs.
4. Reboot and test again.

If the problem disappears, re-enable apps one at a time to find the culprit — commonly MSI Center, SteelSeries GG, or Nahimic Audio.

6. Monitor System Health and Temperature

Even if the laptop feels cool, it’s smart to check component temperatures and hardware health.

• Use HWInfo or MSI Afterburner to monitor CPU/GPU temps.
• Run Memtest86 overnight to rule out RAM issues.
• Use CrystalDiskInfo to check SSD health.

A failing SSD or RAM stick can cause periodic freezes while the system is under load.

7. Inspect the Headphone Jack and Internal Cables

Many MSI Raider users discovered a loose cable inside the laptop chassis that caused audio pops and temporary lock-ups.

If you’re comfortable opening the laptop (or can have an authorized technician do it):

• Check the audio-jack daughter board cable and motherboard connection.
• Reseat or replace the cable if it feels loose.

8. Review Event Viewer Logs

Use Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System to identify driver or hardware errors during the freeze.

Look for repeated warnings related to:

• audiodg.exe
• nvlddmkm.sys
• Disk or driver timeouts (Event ID 129 or 41)

If these appear around the time of each freeze, it confirms a driver/hardware stall.

Advanced Tips

• Disable GPU Power Saving/Hybrid Mode in MSI Center to prevent rapid GPU switching.
• Try High Performance power mode in Windows.
• Plug your charger in — undervoltage from battery-only mode sometimes triggers audio glitches.
• If using USB audio devices, test on another port or use a powered USB hub.

The scratching noise and random freezes on the MSI Raider GE78 HX aren’t caused by Windows corruption — they’re almost always due to driver instability, DPC latency, or hardware cable faults.
Updating BIOS and chipset drivers, clean-installing GPU/audio drivers, and running latency diagnostics have resolved the issue for most users.

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