Looking into this issue further
A conflict can cause game audio to freeze, stutter, or buzz, often preceding a system crash. This can be due to various issues, from outdated drivers and software conflicts to overheating and hardware problems.
Driver and software conflicts
Update all relevant drivers. Use the manufacturer's website (for your motherboard, audio card, and graphics card) to download and install the latest audio, chipset, and video drivers.
Check for Windows updates. Ensure your operating system is fully up to date, as this can fix compatibility issues.
Remove driver remnants. If you suspect a bad driver update, use a tool like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to completely remove your graphics drivers. Then, download a clean copy from the manufacturer's website.
Disable audio enhancements. In Windows, go to Sound Settings > Sound Control Panel (under "Related Settings"). On the "Playback" tab, right-click your default device, go to "Properties" > "Enhancements," and check the box for "Disable all enhancements".
Disable exclusive mode. In the same "Properties" window, go to the "Advanced" tab and uncheck the boxes for "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device" and "Give exclusive mode applications priority".
Change audio format. On the "Advanced" tab, try lowering the default audio format to a lower sample rate, like 16 bit, 44100 Hz.
Restart audio services. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and restart the Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder services.
Perform a clean boot. Unnecessary background applications can interfere with your game. A clean boot will help you identify if a background program is the source of the conflict.
Hardware and performance issues
Monitor temperatures. Overheating of your CPU or GPU can lead to performance issues, including audio glitches and system freezes. Use a monitoring program like CoreTemp or HWInfo64 to check component temperatures while gaming.
Use a different audio device. USB-connected audio devices, including headphones and DACs, have been known to cause audio starvation and freezing issues in some games due to driver conflicts. Try using your motherboard's analog 3.5mm audio jack instead.
Check RAM stability. Faulty or improperly seated RAM can cause system instability. Run a memory diagnostic tool like MemTest86 to check for errors.
Run Windows troubleshooters. Use the built-in Windows troubleshooters to automatically find and fix audio playback issues. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Playing Audio.
Verify game files. If the issue is specific to one game, corrupted game files may be the cause. On Steam, you can right-click the game, go to "Properties" > "Installed Files," and select "Verify integrity of game files".
Further diagnostics
Use Reliability Monitor. This tool provides a timeline of software installations, updates, and system crashes, which may help you pinpoint the cause of the problem.
Reset BIOS/UEFI. If you have recently changed settings related to overclocking or XMP profiles, reset your BIOS to its optimal defaults.