Microsoft has recently acknowledged a new challenge impacting users of Windows 24H2 systems, particularly those who enjoy gaming with USB DAC sound systems. The issue manifests as an unexpected surge in audio volume, abruptly escalating to full intensity when utilizing devices such as the Creative Sound BlasterX G6 USB digital audio converter.
Details of the Audio Volume Surge
According to a support document released on Tuesday, this anomaly primarily affects gamers who either connect and then promptly disconnect their external sound systems or those who wake their systems from sleep mode. Additionally, adjusting the volume of the external device before detaching it may trigger the same audio escalation.
Microsoft clarified the situation, stating, “When you use an external USB digital audio converter (DAC) sound system, you might experience the sound level increasing to 100-percent.” Notably, users will not receive any error messages or other indicators; the sole symptom is the sudden spike in audio output.
Underlying Causes and Ongoing Investigations
The root of this bug lies in what Microsoft describes as a timing issue within the AudioEndpointBuilder system service, which is responsible for enumerating, initializing, and activating audio endpoints on Windows systems. The company is actively investigating the matter and is committed to developing a fix, promising to share further details as they become available.
In addition to this audio dilemma, Microsoft has also identified another bug affecting users’ ability to change time zones in the Date & Time settings without administrative privileges. A temporary workaround allows users to adjust the time zone through the Control Panel or by executing ‘timedate.cpl’ via the Run dialog, accessible through the Windows key + R shortcut.
“Microsoft is actively investigating the issue and will provide a resolution in an upcoming Windows update,” the company assured its users.
Last week, the tech giant also took steps to address other concerns, including the withdrawal of the November 2024 Exchange security updates due to mail delivery complications and rectifying several bugs that led to blue screens and installation issues in Windows Server 2025.
