Question Hoopla audio crackling on new Nord N20

[CJ Mac]

I just found on Reddit that this has been happening to many Android users. The only solution some have found is that they had to slow the speed down to 1:1. But others like me are already at normal speed.

This is a new phone I've only had about 2 weeks. No playback troubles anywhere else. I listen to Hoopla a lot in the car and wonder if I should return the phone.

 

[B. Diddy]

Are you able to test Hoopla on another Android device? This could tell you if the problem is with that Nord N20, or if it's more of a problem with the Hoopla app itself.

 

[CJ Mac]

Are you able to test Hoopla on another Android device? This could tell you if the problem is with that Nord N20, or if it's more of a problem with the Hoopla app itself.

I just now tried Hoopla on my old phone and it's perfectly fine. The only thing is that a message came up telling me I needed to update Hoopla--and that reminded me that I DID update Hoopla on the new phone. I am pretty sure I did not use Hoopla on the new phone before updating so can't compare before and after the update.

I found a contact email for Hoopla and emailed them the question. Our library staff told me that they hadn't had any complaints but thought maybe Hoopla had to be the only app running on the phone. Tried that and still crackling.

I don't know how long Best Buy will give me to return this phone and try something else.

 

[B. Diddy]

Does it also crackle if you use headphones?

 

[CJ Mac]

Yes it does.

Got a reply from Hoopla:

"Multiple patrons have reported this issue and our Development Team is investigating. We do not yet have a fix, but these steps might help: clear the cache for your device, check your device and hoopla app for updates, power cycle your router, and uninstall/reboot device/reinstall hoopla.


"If you have further questions or concerns, please reply to this email and a support specialist will get back to you ASAP. "

Since this is a brand new phone and it's not happening on the old Pixel 3a, I really doubt those things to try above are going to help...

 

[CJ Mac]

Later: uninstalled, cleared cache (but not everything), then reinstalled. Still crackling.

Edit: maybe you could tell me how you clear the cache for a specific device. I don't want to clear the cache on Google accounts I share with my husband. IS clearing the cache just a Google thing? I couldn't find a setting for the phone itself.

 

[B. Diddy]

Unfortunately, I don't think wiping the system cache partition is possible on the N20. Most modern phones don't have this feature any more, since they have dual A/B partitions (that allow for seamless updates). Probably the only phones that still allow a cache partition wipe are Samsung phones (for some reason, Samsung still hasn't gotten onboard with seamless updates).

Well, at least you're not alone!

 

[CJ Mac]

Just a brief followup: I don't know if this is coincidence or it actually works, but it seems that when I have downloaded a book to my phone and then play it, it doesn't skip. Today I started listening to a book that I had not yet downloaded, and it started making the skipping/crackling noise. I downloaded the book, closed and reopened Hoopla, and then it played smoothly.

I just realized that when I say "skipping" I'm dating myself--thinking of vinyl records that would skip when scratched.

 

[B. Diddy]

Thanks for the update! I use Hoopla for e-books, which require the book to be downloaded in order to read, so I would've thought this was necessary for audiobooks as well.

What happens if you try to watch a movie on Hoopla? Do you get the same crackling, and if so, does it go away if you download the movie first?

 

[CJ Mac]

No problem with movies, but we watch on our TV through Roku. It's just audiobooks on this new phone. And if it's because I didn't download them first, that will be a relief to me. I suppose I should tell the Hoopla folks to suggest it to others with the same trouble.