Severe Audio Volume Spike and System Sounds Ignoring Volume Mixer – Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) | Razer Insider
Skip to main content
Question

Severe Audio Volume Spike and System Sounds Ignoring Volume Mixer – Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023)

  • November 4, 2025
  • 12 replies
  • 971 views
firstparkSlateGray988

I’m experiencing a persistent and very frustrating audio issue with my Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) headset on Windows 10.

After a few seconds of silence, the next sound played suddenly becomes extremely loud for a brief moment (a sharp volume spike), before returning to normal. This happens consistently — for example, when watching videos, opening a tab in opera with browser-sounds activated, or receiving a system notification.

Additionally, Windows system sounds completely ignore the volume mixer. Even if I mute system sounds or set them to 0%, they still play at maximum volume through the headset and then reset themself in the audimixer to 100%. These two issues combined make normal use very uncomfortable.

 

What I’ve tried (none of these fixed the issue):

  • Reinstalling and uninstalling Razer Synapse 4

  • Enabling / disabling Windows Enhancements

  • Turning off all Spatial Sound options (I don’t want any spatial audio)

  • Setting “Do nothing” under Communication settings in Windows Sound Control Panel

  • Installing/Deinstalling Realtek audio driver

The only temporary workarounds I found are:

  • Setting the spatial sound format to Windows Sonic for Headphones (which I don’t want to use), or

  • Disabling all enhancements in Windows — but this also disables the Razer EQ, Bass Boost, and all Synapse audio features, which defeats the purpose of having this headset.

     

    Summary:

  • Audio volume spikes occur after short periods of silence.

  • System sounds ignore the Windows volume mixer.

  • Problem persists across reboots and driver reinstalls.

  •  

  • I do not use or want any spatial sound features (THX or Windows Sonic).

    12 Replies

    Vekez_3
    • Vekez_3
    • Insider Mini
    • November 11, 2025

    Experiencing the exact problem with the same headset. Nothing seems to work for me either. THis started happening immidietly after I updated to synapse 4. 

     

      Same for me, any update on this?

        firstparkSlateGray988

        Same for me, any update on this?

        Sadly no, I tried a bunch more things but nothing seems to work and as much as I hate Spacial Audio it’s the only way (for now) to have normal volume. 

        I think it’s a problem with Synapse itself, as it tries to override the Windows audio driver, but after some time without audio, it goes into energy saving mode or something like that and when a sound is then played the Windows driver kicks in again before Synapse can override it. Thus loud audio.

        • Aci_yt
        • Insider Mini
        • January 19, 2026

        Disabling audio enhancements in the windows sound settings for my headset fixed this, but then you obviously won’t get THX spacial sound :/

          DeepLilactruckrush192

          I  swear its this stupid razer synapse 4 update. I want to revert to synapse 3. i had nothing but issues with the new update. yea the old one was faulty at times but nothing like this. its absolute shitshow. I don’t see myself buying a razer product ever again. tried disabling audio enhancements but the sound quality is obviously worse but oh well… beats the pain of perma unplugging headphones to make audio function. 

            With THX audio enhancement enabled the volume slider can be set to 30% but the blue audio indicator is maxed out.
            Volume rapidly peaks and throttles, constantly fluctuating between full bast and a whisper.
            It’s been a year since I started having this issue and it looks like the sole fix is to disable the ONLY selling point of the headset.
            WOMP WOMP Razer.
            Wish I could get a refund I’d send it back in a heartbeat.

              firstparkSlateGray988

               

              Disabling audio enhancements in the windows sound settings for my headset fixed this, but then you obviously won’t get THX spacial sound :/

              Not only won’t you get THX sound, but also all the equalizer don’t work either.

                firstparkSlateGray988

                I  swear its this stupid razer synapse 4 update. I want to revert to synapse 3. i had nothing but issues with the new update. yea the old one was faulty at times but nothing like this. its absolute shitshow. I don’t see myself buying a razer product ever again. tried disabling audio enhancements but the sound quality is obviously worse but oh well… beats the pain of perma unplugging headphones to make audio function. 

                Yes, ever since that update all hell broke loose with this headset and it is very frustrating, because it feels like razer is completely ignoring it. 
                I’ve seen that this isn’t the only problem with this headset and also other older headsets from them, but they don’t really fix it, only for the new ones. But figure, duh….

                firstparkSlateGray988

                 

                With THX audio enhancement enabled the volume slider can be set to 30% but the blue audio indicator is maxed out.
                Volume rapidly peaks and throttles, constantly fluctuating between full bast and a whisper.
                It’s been a year since I started having this issue and it looks like the sole fix is to disable the ONLY selling point of the headset.
                WOMP WOMP Razer.
                Wish I could get a refund I’d send it back in a heartbeat.

                Wish I could send it back too, but it’s a bit too old for that now and before the Synapse 4 update everything worked completely fine.
                I thought about buying the new Blackshark, but the price isn’t were I comfortably want it and also who can ensure me that the same thing I have now, doesn’t happen to the new one.

                fastTealboard739

                It looks like this issue is somehow releated to mine.

                Did you found new better workarounds?
                 

                 

                 

                fastToolboxAMETHYST534

                I also experience the same issue, but on Win11. However recently when I turned off Windows Sonic - it returned back to normal but today I discovered it reversed itself,  an hour ago I have turned on Windows Sonic and by far it’s normal again BUT I DONT WANT TO USE WINDOWS SONIC.  Razer fix this? instead of ignoring customers that are paying not so little for your products

                smartHotPinkdepot969

                Hey there! I had this exact same issue, and after a lot of trial and error I finally managed to fix it. Here's what worked for me:

                Step 1 - Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter to open Device Manager.

                Step 2 - Expand Audio Processing Objects (APOs), find the THX Spatial Audio Effects component, and disable all of them. It'll sound a bit odd at first, but that's normal.

                Step 3 - Right-click the volume icon in your taskbar and select Sounds. Find your headset in the list (mine is a Razer BlackShark V2 HS USB).

                Step 4 - Click it once, then press Properties → Advanced → Exclusive Mode, and uncheck both options:

                - Give exclusive mode applications priority
                - Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device

                Step 5 - Search Google for Equalizer APO and download it from SourceForge (or wherever you prefer). Install it, then launch it.

                Step 6 - Once Equalizer APO is open, select your headset - make sure you pick the speakers, not the mic. Set Device to (your headset) and Channel configuration to From device (Stereo).

                Step 7 - That's it, enjoy! Hopefully it works for you too. This was the only fix I found that doesn't involve sketchy installers or a bunch of unnecessary hassle.

                Good luck, and let me know if you get stuck on any step!

                Preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdIcem2lX7Q

                CookiesAccessibility statement