Weird crackling and audio spikes while playing Fallout New Vegas

Support and Help
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1

Ubuntu Version:
25.10

Desktop Environment (if applicable):
GNOME

Problem Description:

When playing Fallout New Vegas through Steam Using GE-Proton10-28, I’ll occasionally get moments where the audio spikes and hurts my ears.

I haven’t had a problem like this with any of the other games I’ve played so far, so I’m convinced the problem has to do with New Vegas somehow.

What I’ve Tried:
Tried restarting pipewire, but that didn’t seem to stop the issue.

1 Like
2

I found this but haven’t tested it myself

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2534487821

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Forgot to mention, but I am playing with a full mod list called "The Wasteland Survival Guide”, which can be found here: https://wastelandsurvival.guide. I’ve also installed several mods on top of that list.
I asked in their Discord as well as the ModdingLinked Discord, but the people I’ve spoken to couldn’t identify the issue either.

4

I think I discovered the source of the problem.

The character named Fawkes.

The strange noises only happen when he’s travelling with me. I left him at the entrance to Underworld and I haven’t heard anything strange since.

5

It happened because of some glitch; you can fix it with a different volume setting

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Which one do I have to change to fix things?

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In Game Setting

Launch the game → Option → Audio

Master Volumer: ~60-70

Effects Volume: ~50

Voice Volume: ~70

Music Volume: whatever you like

Radio Volume: ~50

Footsteps: ON

Speaker Setup: Stereo (do not use 5.1 / 7.1)

Steam launch options

Right-click Fallout: New Vegas → Properties → Launch Options, add:

PROTON_USE_PULSEAUDIO=1 %command%

Edit Fallout.ini

path:

~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/22380/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/My Games/FalloutNV/Fallout.ini

Find or add:

bUseAudioDebugInformation=0
iAudioCacheSize=2048
iMaxSizeForCachedSound=4096

Then add this crucial line**:**

bUseSoftwareAudio=1

Disable Audio enhancements at the system level

Check for:

Loudness Equalization

Automatic Gain Control (AGC)

Volume Boost

Surround virtualization

Cap the game’s framerate

Use one of these:

  • Enable VSync in-game
  • Or limit FPS via Steam:
    • Steam → Settings → In-Game → Frame Rate Limit → 60 FPS

If you’re using MangoHud or Gamescope:

MANGOHUD_CONFIG=fps_limit=60
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