To fix a buzz in a live stream, first identify whether it is electrical hum, a loose-connection crackle, feedback, clipping, or a digital glitch. Then isolate the noise by checking local monitoring, a recording, and the stream, and disconnecting or muting one part of the audio chain at a time. This helps distinguish a microphone, cable, interface, computer-power, or OBS-routing problem before you replace anything.
Identify what kind of noise you hear
“Buzz” can describe several different faults, and the right fix depends on which one you have. Shure’s Audio Systems Guide for Video and Film Production says a low steady buzz or intermittent crackle usually indicates an electrical problem, such as a loose ground near a connector. That is a useful starting point, not a diagnosis of every setup.
- Steady low hum or buzz: Consider electrical interference or multiple ground paths between connected devices.
- Crackle that changes when a cable or connector moves: Inspect and reseat that connection; a loose connector or ground is a plausible cause.
- Sustained ringing tone: This may be acoustic feedback, not electrical hum. Feedback happens when sound from a loudspeaker re-enters a microphone and is amplified again.
- Harsh, broken-up sound on loud peaks: Check for clipping or distortion, including excessive input gain.
- Clicks, dropouts, or glitches associated with computer activity: Investigate the interface connection, drivers, system performance, and audio buffer rather than treating it as a cable hum.
Shure’s Noise Identifier can help you recognize examples such as a 60-cycle hum associated with AC interference. It is a listening aid, not proof of the cause in your location or system; mains frequency and electrical conditions vary by region.
Trace where the buzz enters the stream
Compare the same audio at several points in your setup. This is a practical diagnostic method, not a guarantee: manufacturer guidance supports checking components and OBS input selection, but no single comparison locates every fault.
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- Listen to direct headphone monitoring, if available. If the buzz is already there, focus on the source, cable, interface, or power path before OBS.
- Make a short local recording. If the recording is clean but the live stream is noisy, inspect the software routing and selected input. If both are noisy, continue tracing the physical audio chain.
- Mute or disconnect nonessential sources one at a time. Note when the sound disappears. Check the microphone or instrument, interface or mixer, computer connection, and any other connected audio devices.
- Compare another computer or location if practical. If the noise changes, that can help distinguish a computer or power issue from the building’s electrical environment. Focusrite suggests this comparison when troubleshooting hum and noise.
Change one thing at a time and listen again. Replacing several cables or changing multiple settings at once may remove the symptom without revealing its source.
Check the microphone, cable, and electrical environment
Reseat connectors and inspect the cable
Disconnect and firmly reconnect the relevant plugs. Look for a damaged cable or a connection that crackles when touched; try a known-good cable if one is available. A cable swap is a diagnostic trial, not evidence that the microphone itself needs replacing.
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Move unbalanced audio cables away from interference
Unbalanced audio cable can pick up hum near lighting, dimmers, mains-power wiring, or loudspeaker cables. Move the audio run away from those sources and avoid routing it alongside power cables where possible. If your equipment supports a balanced connection at both ends, try a known-good balanced microphone cable, commonly XLR. Shure identifies a balanced cable path as the lasting solution to the specific problem of interference picked up by unbalanced microphone cable in those conditions; it is not a universal fix for every buzz.
Match the connection to the source
An unbalanced instrument or other source connected to an interface may need a different approach from a balanced microphone. Focusrite notes that a DI box can convert an unbalanced source to a balanced connection; its ground-lift switch may help when a ground-related hum is present. A ground-loop isolator is another option only for a compatible signal path. Check the connectors and signal type before trying either accessory: neither is an all-purpose noise filter.
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Investigate ground loops and computer or USB power
A ground loop can occur when connected equipment has multiple paths to ground, producing a steady low-frequency hum or buzz. Focusrite’s guidance is to isolate the cause rather than assume every hum calls for an isolator. Disconnect nonessential devices one by one, and compare another computer or location if you can.
- Try the interface with a USB cable compatible with the device’s specifications; check for a loose or damaged cable.
- Confirm the computer’s power supply is operating as intended. If the computer’s USB bus power appears to be involved, a mains-powered USB hub may be worth testing, provided it is suitable for the interface.
- Bus-powered interfaces may be more susceptible to noise in some setups, but changing power arrangements is a troubleshooting option, not a guaranteed remedy.
- Never remove or defeat protective mains earth to eliminate noise. If you suspect an unsafe electrical fault, stop experimenting with mains wiring and consult a qualified professional.
For more detail on hum, ground paths, and possible isolation options, see Focusrite’s “Why is there unwanted hum/noise in my monitors?”, updated 27 February 2024.
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Fix interface glitches and Windows audio problems
If the symptom is glitchy audio, clicks, or dropouts—especially when moving the mouse or during disk activity—check the interface’s computer connection and software before treating it as electrical hum.
- Check compatibility. Confirm that the interface is supported by the computer and operating-system version you are using.
- Update or reinstall interface software and drivers. Use the current software and drivers supplied for your interface. Focusrite recommends this for USB interface connection or performance problems; the exact steps depend on the model.
- Check the USB cable and power path. Try a suitable known-good cable and verify the computer power supply, changing one variable at a time.
- On Windows, test a larger audio buffer for glitches. Focusrite’s Windows troubleshooting guidance suggests trying a buffer size of 1024. This can help address performance-related glitches or dropouts; it is not a direct repair for a ground loop or cable interference.
See Focusrite’s Windows glitchy-audio troubleshooting guide, updated 11 June 2026, and its USB audio interface troubleshooting guide, updated 15 September 2026. Follow the instructions for your interface and operating-system version.
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Verify the audio input in OBS
If local monitoring or a local recording is clean but the stream is noisy, confirm that OBS is capturing the intended device and channel. An unintended or duplicated source can make the stream differ from what you hear in headphones.
- In OBS, add an Audio Input Capture source.
- Open that source’s device selector and choose the intended microphone or interface input.
- For one microphone connected to a mono input, configure the source as mono when appropriate for the interface and setup.
- Check other audio sources and routing so the same input is not captured twice or mixed with an unintended device.
- Listen to a short test recording or stream after each change.
Focusrite’s guide to setting up a Focusrite interface in OBS, updated 11 July 2026, covers its interface workflow; other devices may use different labels or channel options.
Match the fix to the symptom
| What you hear or observe | First thing to check | Targeted next step |
|---|---|---|
| Steady hum that changes when devices are disconnected | Connected devices and ground paths | Isolate devices one at a time; test another computer or location. Consider a compatible ground-loop isolator only if the path fits. |
| Buzz near lights, dimmers, power, or speaker cables | Unbalanced cable routing | Move the cable away from the interference source; use a balanced path if the equipment supports it. |
| Crackle when a plug or cable is moved | Connector seating and cable condition | Reseat the connection and test a known-good cable. |
| Hum from an unbalanced instrument source | Source-to-interface connection | Check whether a suitable DI box with ground lift is appropriate for that signal path. |
| Clicks or dropouts tied to computer activity | USB connection, drivers, and audio performance | Check compatibility, cable, drivers, and—in Windows glitch cases—try buffer size 1024. |
| Noise only in the stream, not local monitoring or recording | OBS device selection and routing | Verify the input device and channel; remove unintended or duplicate captures. |
| Ringing tone that grows when speakers are on | Acoustic feedback path | Stop sound from the loudspeaker re-entering the microphone; this is different from electrical hum. |
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