DX12 consistently delays other functions until the switch window activates spatial audio.
DX12 consistently delays other functions until the switch window activates spatial audio.
Problem: When I start DX12 titles on my machine, the system freezes into a broken state. All functions—including those tied to Windows like Explorer and the taskbar—appear slow or unresponsive. Initially, I assumed it affected only random games, but I’ve narrowed it down to DX12-enabled applications. Audio remains unaffected; however, actions such as dragging windows, moving the mouse to reveal the hidden taskbar, and playing YouTube videos drop to around 5 frames per second. Mouse movement itself works normally. The issue continues even after closing the problematic game until I restart or apply a solution.
Quick Solution: Temporarily resolve by changing the "Windows Spatial Sound" setting to something other than its default. Whether it’s set to "Off," "Windows Sonic for Headphones," or another value, the lag disappears and performance returns to normal. This workaround usually lasts until I restart my PC, even if I repeatedly launch the problematic games.
Longer Efforts Tried:
- Removed and reinstalled all audio drivers and related software (including iCue, Realtek, etc.).
- Disconnected or disabled most audio devices except one.
- Tested running games in DX11 mode instead of DX12.
Games Affected: Fortnite, Deep Rock Galactic, The Cycle: Frontier (all DX12).
Games That Work: Deep Rock Galactic (DX11), Rocket League (DX11), ARK (DX11).
Key Insight: The simplest remedy appears to be switching games to DX11 mode, which resolves the problem consistently. I’m open to other approaches but want to avoid risky steps like forcing a full system reinstall. Let me know if you have more ideas!