How to fix
Long audio delay before starting
on Windows

Hello. After I upgraded to Windows 11, my audio files start playing about 20 seconds after they start or they do not play at all. The issue is present in files on my computer and on websites. Any tips would be appreciated.

The newest version of Windows - Windows 11 was released by Microsoft in 2021 but users still keep encountering major issues. We previously wrote about Windows 11 problems, such as taskbar icons not working, clock and date missing, and File Explorer lagging.

Recently, many people started experiencing audio issues after upgrading to Windows 11. Users describe the problem as a long audio delay before starting. The bug seems to affect some apps, like Powerpoint, audio files on the computer, and browsers as well. The problem is quite mysterious as there is no single fix that resolved it for everyone. 

Some users tried to switch back to Windows 10, and some were successful - the audio delay was gone. However, for others - the malfunction returned after some time. In this guide, you will find 5 steps that could help you fix the long audio delay before starting in Windows 11. If unfortunately none of them will help, you can also try to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 as a last resort.

For some users, the issue was fixed by updating device drivers,[ref en-1] and others had to contact their PC manufacturer as the issue was found to be caused by hardware issues. If you want to avoid a lengthy troubleshooting process, we recommend using a maintenance tool like [d1] that can fix most system errors, BSODs,[ref en-2] corrupted files, and registry[ref en-3] issues. Otherwise, proceed with the manual instructions provided below.

Method 1. Install Windows Updates

• Click Start on the taskbar
• Select the Setting app pinned to the Start menu
• Click Windows Update on the left side of Settings
• Press the Check for updates button to download and install new patch updates

• You can also install optional updates by going to the Advanced tab

Method 2. Repair Corrupted System Files

Use Command Prompt commands to repair system file corruption:

• Open Command Prompt as administrator
• Use the following command and press Enter:
  sfc /scannow

• Reboot your system
• If SFC returned an error, then use the following command lines, pressing Enter after each:
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Method 3. Update Audio and Graphics Card Drivers

• Type Device Manager in the search area of your taskbar and click Open
• Inside the Device Manager window, expand the Display drivers option
• Right-click on the faulty Display driver and select Update from the context menu

• Now expand the Audio inputs and outputs, find the driver, and update it
• If this did not help or Windows was unable to find any updates, use a utility like [rev id="DriverFix"] that can find the best drivers for your system and install them automatically

Method 4. Contact the Manufacturer of Your PC

The problem may be caused by the compatibility issues between your hardware and software. Many users report the audio delay issue with Dell computers so you can contact them to help you fix it. You may have to send your devive for repairs or replace it. If you have a Dell PC and encounter a long audio delay issue on Windows 11, contact Dell support.

Method 5. Clean Install Windows 11

• Go to the official Microsoft page
• Open the Select Download dropdown, pick Windows 11, and hit the Download button

• Select your product language from the Choose one dropdown, hit Confirm, then click 64-bit Download
• When the .ISO file finishes downloading, right-click on it and pick Open with > Windows Explorer to mount the virtual disc, then double-click the setup file to begin the installation
• Follow the on-screen instructions