Here is how the fix works: The popping sound comes from the speakers when they turn off. This is because the sound card driver turns off power to the speakers when no sound is playing to help conserve power. Unfortunately, there is no way to turn this setting off, but there is a solution! If you enable the listen to this device option, and mute the microphone, there is technically a sound playing, but you can't hear it, since the mic is muted. Therefore, your computer believes a sound is playing, and the speakers don't turn off!