itunes update 12.0.1 causing crackling music on playback.

There is an alternative downloader for 64-bit editions of Windows here:

iTunes 12.1 for Windows (64-bit — for older video cards)

that seems to address the playback issues that some users have been reporting with the full 64-bit version (the alternative installer here is the same architecture as most previous "64-bit" versions of iTunes, i.e., a 32-bit application with a 64-bit installer). The "for older video cards" appears to be something of a misnomer as some people have reported that this corrects problems found on current / high-spec systems.

Thank you! Solved the same issue I was having. 🙂

Thanks. This worked for me.

First, thanks for posting this fix - it worked perfectly.

On the off chance someone from Apple is reading this I just wanted them to be aware of this issue with the 64-bit version of iTunes for Windows. I am running Windows 8 with a not so old 780 GTX graphics card and was getting this horrible crackling sound with all my music files while they played perfectly in Windows Media Player.

Oh my goodness, thank you so much! This was driving me insane! 😁

Thank you for the post, it fixed my popping problem. Dang I was freaking out with my extensive library. I was like Nooooooooo!!

Thank You Again

Same here, I'm running a NVIDA GeForce GT740, Windows 8.1, 64bit, 24-gigs ram, dual SSD in Zero Raid. It's a beast of a machine, not lacking power or space with 7 additional terabytes.

But this dang iTunes creates more problems for me then what it worth, it made popcorn out of my digital files. Windows Media played everything perfect. If it wasn't for the iPhone & iPad, iTunes wouldn't be on this machine.

I have an extensive music library and it took me a couple of weeks to get everything in it's proper folders, only to import it into iTunes and have it rip apart all my work and create individual folders for songs in the same Album. Talk about being ****** off!!

NNever mind, it is back. 😟

I'm seeing that all three variants on 12.1.0.77 (32-bit, 64-bit, "for older video cards") are a little more susceptible to playback issues that seem to be associated with conflicts for Windows resources. If:

• Installing the "for older video cards" version, and
• trying the available settings in Edit > Preferences > Playback, Play Audio Using dropdown (most people are finding that "Direct Sound" is the preferred choice)

then your best option is probably to roll back to 12.0 - see turingtest2's notes on Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates for steps needed to completely remove all installed iTunes components, and for links to the 12.0 installers.

Does anyone know how to fix this on a mac?