Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Launches AirPods Pro Service Program for Crackling/Static Problems and ANC Issues

az431 said:
Before October 2020 does not include any manufactured after October 31, 2020. So no, not all of them.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions to which the answer should be obvious.
Click to expand...
I read ‘before October’ as meaning any manufactured in September or earlier may have the issue. Which would make sense - they need to get good ones manufactured and available before announcing the service program.
 
  • Like
Reactions: japanime, Lancetx, tooloud10 and 4 others
AppleMango said:
Very interesting, since there is a big thread about this already.
Could someone describe it in detail when it happens and what exactly, because I still don’t feel I understood it correctly. Is it a noise you hear or a loss of ANC which causes more noises? Is it like a walkie talkie crackling sound?
Click to expand...

This happened to me in both AirPods. First it fails the ear tip test. It doesn’t matter if you change the tip size it will always fail. My right one started first. After some time only in the noise canceling mode you will hear this crackling noise. It’s not like a walk-in talkie but more like static on TV. This progressively gets worse. The most annoying thing is that when you walk the movement in the ear causes this noise so pretty much you cannot run with them after that. After a couple of months same problem started on my left one. You can stop using noise cancellation but then that is why I bought the AirPods for. The issue gets worse and the crackling sound occurs in any mode making them unusable if you are moving.

I feel it has to do with dirt in the outer grip on the top of the pods. I could see dirt and tried to clean it but didn’t help.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GigabitEthernet, amartinez1660 and AppleMango
WBRacing said:
I've had 3 pods fail with this. Each time I have had to go through the same "have you tried turning it off & on" type of support before they finally agreed to send a replacement. It is really poor given the cost.

I remember the posts on this forum from some proclaiming how it was a non-issue, made up by whingers / haters. Must be a bit embarrassing.
Click to expand...

1. Have you reset them?
2. Have you used with other apps?
3. Have you tried using them with other phones?
4. Have you tried running the ear tip test?
5. Have you tried changing the ear tips?

Good thing no one told me that I am wearing it wrong.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Will Tisdale 🎗
az431 said:
Before October 2020 does not include any manufactured after October 31, 2020. So no, not all of them.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions to which the answer should be obvious.
Click to expand...
Seeing as today is October 30, 2020, my question is how could any be in existence that were manufactured after October 31, 2020? Or is it a reverse entropy situation like in that Tenet movie?

The point, which you missed obviously, is that Apple has essentially acknowledged that every one made up until very recently has been faulty. This is a big deal for headphones that cost as much as Air Pods Pro. Good for Apple for acknowledging the problem though. Better late than never. But seeing as I got mine replaced a couple months ago with zero argument I figure they knew it was an issue long ago.
 
  • Like
Reactions: martyjmclean, TD912, jimbotheitbod and 15 others
BasicGreatGuy said:
I have AppleCare with my AirPods Pro but, they aren’t showing on my list of devices. Also, how do you find the manufacture date?

Edited to add: I found my AC+ receipt. I bought my AirPods Pro from Apple 10.30.19. Looks like I am eligible.
Click to expand...

AirPods don’t show up on the device list which is surprising because they are tied to your iCloud which enables them to work across all your devices. I think it’s because someone else could pair them to their phones at the same time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Apple_Robert
The biggest problem I have is poor charging contacts, despite being clean, etc.

If an AirPod is in the case but not making contact, it is assumed to be 'connected' or actually DOES connect to a device, which then drains the battery on the offending bud even faster so it's almost always flat when the other is 100%

They need to improve that design somehow.
 
  • Like
Reactions: amartinez1660
I actually replaced my AirPods Pro last month due to exactly this issue. It was still under warranty and Apple replaced them free of charge. The cool thing about it is you send it back in the mail without ear tips, but they give you a complete set of all three sizes of ear tips when they send the replacements. Though my case is original issue, I look at it as getting a free replacement after a year of use, though having the problem was really annoying and even occasionally painful.
 
I literally just left my AirPods Pro in service because of this issue. When a walk or run I can hear this crackling sound. Very annoying. I bought mine in November 2019 😱
 

Attachments

  • Captura de Tela 2020-10-30 às 20.38.08.png
    Captura de Tela 2020-10-30 às 20.38.08.png
    1.1 MB · Views: 229
I had the snap, crackle while talking but it wasn’t a big deal to me. ANC seemed to work fine but my main issue was the right AirPod discharging while in the case. Called Apple and they sent me a new case. Didn’t help so I called again and they sent a new set of AirPod Pros. So far, they have been working perfectly
 
  • Like
Reactions: amartinez1660
I had the crackling in my left ear called Apple. They're still under warranty said I could put a $100 hold on my card and send them in and they would release the hold. I don't have a local Apple Store but I do have a Best Buy. He said I could take them there and they would send it off. I made an appointment. The right started crackling before my appointment date but more random. Didn't cost me a thing or needing a card hold. I don't have Apple Care either. Just the warranty
Geek Squad guy sent both of them off on a Thursday and the replacements were in Monday. Guy said the crackling was the most complained about thing..
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: amartinez1660
I had my right AP Pro replaced about two weeks ago (ten months old). The crackling was maddening. Apple first said they weren't going to charge me, then did. I spent an hour on the phone with them, but they eventually made it right. Now I'm waiting for the left one to go.
 
wkd said:
is cackling/static the same as the squeaking noise? only happens when i push the airpods hard in the ears.
Click to expand...

Yours squeak when you press them in? Mine squeak when I take them out of the case and hold them in the palm of my hand, like they’re picking up feedback from each other.
 
Bustermd said:
Seeing as today is October 30, 2020, my question is how could any be in existence that were manufactured after October 31, 2020? Or is it a reverse entropy situation like in that Tenet movie?

The point, which you missed obviously, is that Apple has essentially acknowledged that every one made up until very recently has been faulty. This is a big deal for headphones that cost as much as Air Pods Pro. Good for Apple for acknowledging the problem though. Better late than never. But seeing as I got mine replaced a couple months ago with zero argument I figure they knew it was an issue long ago.
Click to expand...

Shouldnt these units be recalled? And what is the actual issue that causes these problems I wonder?
 
  • Like
Reactions: martyjmclean and amartinez1660
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back