AirPods Pro Crackling/Rattling Issues: Troubleshooting

[MacRumors]

Some AirPods Pro owners have run into issues with their earbuds, and there have been numerous complaints about crackling or popping noises that occur during movement when the AirPods Pro are worn. This guide outlines the problem and provides troubleshooting steps recommended by Apple as a potential fix.

Some AirPods Pro users have been complaining of rattling, crackling, or static-like noises when Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency Mode are engaged since shortly after the AirPods Pro launched.

The noise seems to appear over time, it appears to be a hardware issue as it does not happen when ANC and Transparency Mode are turned off.

The sound happens when something causes the earbud to move or vibrate, such as when a person walks, runs, taps the affected earbud with a finger, turns their head, nods, or plays music with a lot of bass. A MacRumors reader describes what it sounds like:

It's often described like it sounds like something has come loose inside the APP earbud. Many people seem to think it's actually a problem with the external microphone: it appears to be picking up tiny vibrations as sound, and then attempting to "cancel" (in Noise Cancellation mode) or amplify (in Transparency mode) these sounds (which don't actually exist), causing the APP to play the rattling-style noise. Whether this is the actual cause or not I don't know.

While there has been speculation that it's a hardware issue, Apple seems to believe it could be based on wireless interference or a specific app, and recommends people who hear crackling sounds follow these steps:

• Make sure the latest software is installed on a connected iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac.
• Check that the connected device is nearby and there's no wireless interference or obstructions between you and the device.
• Listen to audio from a different app to see if the app causes the issue.

If that doesn't work, Apple recommends contacting Apple Support for help because there is a repair program for the problem.
AirPods Pro Service Program

Apple launched a repair program for AirPods Pro to fix an issue that causes some AirPods Pro models to exhibit sound issues such as crackling or static or faulty Active Noise Cancellation.

Affected models have static or crackling sounds that increase in loud environments such as with movement or when talking on the phone, or Active Noise Cancellation that fails to work properly with a loss of bass, increased background sound, or a street or airplane noise.

The faulty AirPods Pro models were manufactured before October 2020, and those who are experiencing issues can take the AirPods Pro to Apple for service at no charge. AirPods Pro will be examined prior to service to verify that they're eligible for the program. AirPods manufactured after October 2020 should not exhibit this issue.

Guide Feedback

Have a question about Apple's advice for these issues, know of a potential solution we left out, or want to offer feedback? Send us an email here.

Article Link: AirPods Pro Crackling/Rattling Issues: Troubleshooting

 

[TheKDub]

Wow, I have that exact same problem and was going to go to an Apple store (after Covid) to exchange my Airpod Pros (I have applecare+) b/c I really thought it was a hardware issue.

Glad to hear that it's being addressed and that it wasn't only me!

 

[austinn.gabriel]

Do you ever get these sounds with anc and transparency off? Cause I do...

 

[Optheduim]

I‘ve been having this issue for two weeks on my right AirPod Pro. It’s been driving me insane! So happy the suggestion of turning off ANC and Transparency mode virtually killed this problem!!! Outside of this highly bothersome issue these headphones sound fantastic.

However, Apple will be notified tonight and will continue to use the AirPods Pro with ANC and Transparency off until they are replaced.

 

[skwash]

Yep, had this same issue with the right AirPod. Apple replaced it without much of a stink. Just finished speaking with Support about the left one and they are sending a replacement for those.

The replacement has been working fine so far. Such a strange issue.

 

[darkslide29]

Same issue with my right AirPod. I’m glad I can just turn off the modes for now, until I get it exchanged.

I was hoping for a fix. On a different side it was suggested to use one-sided tape to try to get dirt off the grills. No luck, no change for me.

 

[darkslide29]

Yep, had this same issue with the right AirPod. Apple replaced it without much of a stink. Just finished speaking with Support about the left one and they are sending a replacement for those.

The replacement has been working fine so far. Such a strange issue.

Hi I’m just curious how the exchange / return process works through the mail? Or did you go into a store? Thanks.

 

[InduD]

I had the same issue with my right AirPods Pro device. Rattling and vibrating with no sound. I went through the whole replacement process and got new right and left AirPods. They worked well for a month and a half and the right had similar issues again. I was on the phone with Apple Support for a couple of hours and we went through software updates and resetting my phone. As a last resort I was asked to remove the tip on my AirPod and suddenly there was no vibration and the sound was crystal clear. The issue turned out to be the tip. When I replaced the tip, the AirPod was working great again. Not sure if this will fix the issue for everyone but worth a try.

 

[ninjamonkey7]

Hands up here if anyone with the issue has fallen asleep with their Airpod Pros in their ears? I've had the same issue, and am about to get my 3rd Airpod replaced. I had both left and right replaced within quick succession and decided to just try listening to things in bed with my right pod...sure enough, a few months later the right has started to crackle.

I suspect that during the night the pod falls out of my ear and the sheets are rubbing against the ANC mics, whilst also covering the sensor that is used to identify if the pod is in an ear, causing a lot of aggressive "reverse" static which is damaging the drivers.

I haven't mentioned this when in-store, don't want to jeopardise my "quick and easy replacements", but feel like a software patch could identify this prolonged aggressive ANC, and cut the mics/speakers.

UPDATE:
Ok so after re-reading the comments I've also just gone through and tried the different ear tip options (per InduD's experience). I use the big tips (big ear holes lol) but trying the smaller tips, I noticed a reduction in crackle/rattle...possible that the less flex in the smaller tips would mean less compression/vacuum, so the mechanism that regulates that in the pod may have something to do with it.

Who knows 🤷‍♂️ I'm off to the genius bar tomorrow to get a replacement right Pod Pro and will revert back to my solitary left original gen 1 Airpod for my sleep sounds.

Neil Gaiman's audiobook of The Sandman is SIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCKKKKK!!! Can't recommend it enough 😉

 

[valleyboy1970]

I’ve had 3 replacement buds since Christmas for this issue each time. When they work these are great but this fault makes the buds unbearable except when anc and trans are off. So far they have been swapped under warranty - but after this I’m afraid I’ll be stuck with £249 lemons.

 

[sierraquester]

This seems to be related to the eartip or rather how it connects to the pod. I tried cleaning everything but it didn't work. I tried other tips and that did not work.

But I noticed if I took the tip off the noise seems to go away. If I attach the tip half way on the noise goes away. As a temporary solution I rotated the tip a little off center and wedged it on so that it is not fully on but still stays attached. With this the noise is mostly gone. If I wiggle the pod I can still hear pops but not nearly as bad as before where any movement would cause the noise.

I think this is the same pod that took a nasty fall and bounced across a tile floor last week. Maybe that shook something loose and the wedged-in eartip is reducing the vibrations from movement. There are a lot of delicate little components in there and if one of them is rattling around it stands to reason the ANC is picking it up and trying to compensate. Not sure why the "wedged eartip" helps reduce that or why no eartip seems to eliminate the noise. Very strange.

Fortunately my airpods are still in warranty so I will probably take them in but I throw these observations out there in case it might help anyone resolve this mystery.

 

[sammcj]

I'm up to my 4th replacement pair...

 

[randyhudson]

This seems to be related to the eartip or rather how it connects to the pod. I tried cleaning everything but it didn't work. I tried other tips and that did not work.

But I noticed if I took the tip off the noise seems to go away. If I attach the tip half way on the noise goes away. As a temporary solution I rotated the tip a little off center and wedged it on so that it is not fully on but still stays attached. With this the noise is mostly gone. If I wiggle the pod I can still hear pops but not nearly as bad as before where any movement would cause the noise.

I think this is the same pod that took a nasty fall and bounced across a tile floor last week. Maybe that shook something loose and the wedged-in eartip is reducing the vibrations from movement. There are a lot of delicate little components in there and if one of them is rattling around it stands to reason the ANC is picking it up and trying to compensate. Not sure why the "wedged eartip" helps reduce that or why no eartip seems to eliminate the noise. Very strange.

Fortunately my airpods are still in warranty so I will probably take them in but I throw these observations out there in case it might help anyone resolve this mystery.

Of course it’s the tip. Just the tip.

 

[Ikeda Kazuto]

Wow, I have that exact same problem and was going to go to an Apple store (after Covid) to exchange my Airpod Pros (I have applecare+) b/c I really thought it was a hardware issue.

Glad to hear that it's being addressed and that it wasn't only me!

It is a hardware issue, I managed to fix mine. Just take some blue tack and force it into every hole in your AirPods. Then slowly SLOWLY remove each blue tack. Repeat this a few times on each vent and you will get perfect sound quality again. I don’t know where the inner and outer microphone is but if you know which vent has microphones in them just do the ones with microphones in them.

if you didn’t do it slowly and got some blue tack stuck in your AirPods you are stuck with 30 minutes of sticking and removing a piece of blue tack until it comes off. Good Luck

 

[Ikeda Kazuto]

It is a hardware issue, I managed to fix mine. Just take some blue tack and force it into every hole in your AirPods. Then slowly SLOWLY remove each blue tack. Repeat this a few times on each vent and you will get perfect sound quality again. I don’t know where the inner and outer microphone is but if you know which vent has microphones in them just do the ones with microphones in them.

if you didn’t do it slowly and got some blue tack stuck in your AirPods you are stuck with 30 minutes of sticking and removing a piece of blue tack until it comes off. Good Luck

 

[Variant]

I hate to bump an old thread, but no one has said thank you yet. So... THANK YOU. The stick tack method works! This worked for me and saved me a lot of hassle!

 

[december]

Just a bump to say that cleaning with tape also seems to help. Thanks for the tips.

 

[brunswickwax]

I registered just to say "THANK YOU!" the blue tack method worked perfectly!

 

[mcexco]

Thanks! The blue tack method works! Except that I don't have the blue tack, so I suck and blew the hole instead. And It's fixed in just one try! Thanks! You saved my life. 😇

 

[jimthompson2001]

Thanks! The blue tack method works! Except that I don't have the blue tack, so I suck and blew the hole instead. And It's fixed in just one try! Thanks! You saved my life. 😇

Holy smokes... this WORKED!!!

Just returned from the Apple Store (9/14/22) and was told my pair has this known problem (AirPod Pros). However, because I purchased them just over a year ago, they were not eligible for the "Quality Program". The 3rd edition AirPods are coming out 9/16/22 anyway, so why buy a new pair.

A final attempt at an online search and BOOM... the suck and blow method worked like a charm. No more crackling noise! Thanks guys!!!

 

[MichlBro]

This is my 2nd “replacement” of my airpods pro and it did not go smoothly.
When contacted that my left airpod pro was experiencing these sound issues, they were willing to “replace” both airpods free of charge. I had to send my case along with both pairs and waited for about a few days.
I received an email telling there were additional issues found but did not tell me what they were, so they only “fixed” the issues I were experiencing (this rattling issue). Upon receiving them back a week later (DHL is a nightmare and so unreliable), they did not replace the left airpod pro due to that “additional issue” and only repaired the inner parts of the right airpod pro (yes, I have no clue how they managed to repair that small thing). This isn’t the only problem, because of whatever shenanigans they’ve done to the right airpod pro, its made it useless cause its broken the syncing process with the left airpod pro and the case (can’t detect in ear, can’t detect in case or out case, but the left one can). I even tried troubleshooting them. I’ve called them up this time and instead of me sending the product off somewhere, I’m heading to the store. So wish me luck. If they are not willing to repair the left or replace the left airpod then I wonder if the uk consumer rights act falls into place, where I can get a full refund. I got myself a defective product the first time, they sent me a replacement product (defective again) and now the 3rd time unwillingly to replace the left airpod due to “additional issues” but only repaired the right airpod breaking its syncing.

TLDR: Express delivery repair (took a whole week). Apple technician unwilling to replace left airpods due to additional issues (not free of charge) and only repaired inside of the right airpod.

EDIT: Went to a genius bar today and they did a 5 min diagnostic on it. Diagnostic showed both left and right airpods expressing this issue. Replaced immediately free of charge. Only took 20mins + 30 mins drive there.

 

[tomekwsrod]

I have got mine replaced free of charge at an iSpot. First, they diagnose the AirPods. If the diagnosis doesn’t show the problem, you pay a fee, else you get replacement.

The good thing is that Apple has extended the repair program.

 

[Jbh5691]

It is a hardware issue, I managed to fix mine. Just take some blue tack and force it into every hole in your AirPods. Then slowly SLOWLY remove each blue tack. Repeat this a few times on each vent and you will get perfect sound quality again. I don’t know where the inner and outer microphone is but if you know which vent has microphones in them just do the ones with microphones in them.

if you didn’t do it slowly and got some blue tack stuck in your AirPods you are stuck with 30 minutes of sticking and removing a piece of blue tack until it comes off. Good Luck

Hi ikeda,

I just signed up to say thank you. I had this issue, and was thinking of replacing them when I saw this thread.
It worked first time for me, so thank you so much for saving me a load of cash.
I thought it was odd, that turning off the auto sound stopped it. But once again. Your tip Worked well for me.

Thanks.

 

[logusgraphics]

Thanks! The blue tack method works! Except that I don't have the blue tack, so I suck and blew the hole instead. And It's fixed in just one try! Thanks! You saved my life. 😇

Thank you! I didn't have blue tack either, I tried the suck and blow method and it worked in the second attempt for me.

 

[pmm1221]

I have this issue. The Apple store ran a diagnostic and confirmed it. My original purchase was over three years ago. However, I have already had my AirPods replaced within the first year, and that replacement occurred less than three years ago.

I know that the support document says the time window is based on the original purchase date, but if the product is defective, this policy seems anti-consumer. Basically Apple replaced my original defective AirPods, with another pair of defective AirPods that they have acknowledged on their website based on the manufacturing date in and was validated by the diagnostic ran at the Apple store.

The store representative told me to call the online support, who they said may be able to override the policy. But they refused even after confirming that the replacement AirPods fell within the manufacturing defect window.

Has anyone else faced a similar issue? I’m thinking of escalating via email to see if I get a different response.