Where did you install Firefox from? Help Mozilla uncover 3rd party websites that offer problematic Firefox installation by taking part in our campaign. There will be swag, and you'll be featured in our blog if you manage to report at least 10 valid reports!

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

"Buzzer" sound and video/flash hitch after most recent Windows updates.

  • 6 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by Sarge_62

more options

Two nights ago a number of Windows and possibly Dell updates were installed automatically to my computer. Yesterday I noticed when playing a game using Firefox on Facebook that a "buzzer" sound and slight hitch would occur intermittently as long as I was on that page. I put the word buzzer in quotes because the sound is more accurately a "digitization" of whatever sound happens to be playing. Initially I thought this was just a problem with the game however I noticed it also happens when playing videos from Youtube for example. In fact it seems that any page with any kind of sound was affected. Opening the same games or Youtube in IE there was no problem. I restored my computer to a point before the updates and there was no problem with either site (but my Word and Excel wouldn't work). Restored again to my original state (after the updates) and both problems are back.

Two nights ago a number of Windows and possibly Dell updates were installed automatically to my computer. Yesterday I noticed when playing a game using Firefox on Facebook that a "buzzer" sound and slight hitch would occur intermittently as long as I was on that page. I put the word buzzer in quotes because the sound is more accurately a "digitization" of whatever sound happens to be playing. Initially I thought this was just a problem with the game however I noticed it also happens when playing videos from Youtube for example. In fact it seems that any page with any kind of sound was affected. Opening the same games or Youtube in IE there was no problem. I restored my computer to a point before the updates and there was no problem with either site (but my Word and Excel wouldn't work). Restored again to my original state (after the updates) and both problems are back.

All Replies (6)

more options

It could be the graphics cards need to be updated.

If you have problems with current Shockwave Flash plugin versions then check this:

  • see if there are updates for your graphics drive drivers

https://support.mozilla.org/kb/upgrade-graphics-drivers-use-hardware-acceleration

  • disable protected mode in the Flash plugin (Flash 11.3+ on Windows Vista and later)

https://forums.adobe.com/message/4468493#TemporaryWorkaround

  • disable hardware acceleration in the Flash plugin

https://forums.adobe.com/thread/891337 See also:

more options

Thank you for your reply. My drivers are up to date and I tried the suggestions in the other links. Sadly the problem persists. Thanks again for the effort.

more options

I might add the sound isn't continuous. It and the hitch last a second or two and occur every couple of minutes.

more options

Wow...it's actually doing it in IE as well.

more options

IMO, check a couple of Windows 7 forums to see if any other Win7 users have had that happen after their Windows Update. Many of the most knowledgeable contributors around here are using WinXP or Linux, not that many Win7 users, iirc. http://www.sevenforums.com/ http://www.w7forums.com/

You may want to do the same with Dell support, to see if the Dell updates may have brought that about.

more options

Just to update. I rolled back my system and installed the updates one at a time to see if I could figure out which one was causing the problem. Loaded all of them in the update queue without a problem. The only on left needed me to shutdown/restart. I didn't and viola nor buzz, no hitch. Last night it shut/down and installed on it's own. The good news is it didn't resume the problem. Weird! Not being super computer savvy, I have no idea what could have caused this other than the order in which they were automatically installed. In any event, thanks for the help.