Some AirPods Pro 3 Owners Complain About Static Noise

[MacRumors]

Some AirPods Pro 3 owners have been experiencing a problem with a static-like sound when Active Noise Cancellation is on but no media is playing, according to complaints on Reddit and the MacRumors forums.

Those who are affected have described the noise as static, an audible hiss, white noise, rain, and an ocean-like sound similar to holding a seashell up to the ear. There have been reports of users hearing the static sound in ANC, Adaptive, and Transparency modes. From MacRumors reader ugh:

It's very strange, I would think it's defective, but it's on both ears?? You can switch ANC from on to off, clearly ANC is quieting down the lower frequencies, but the higher frequencies seem to actually get LOUDER in a quiet room when turning ANC on. It just sounds like I have a small fan on in the room all the time (I do not).

From xJohnyxx:

Very pronounced in mine but only in Transparency/Adaptive mode. And only, or at least way more pronounced, in the right one. Had absolutely zero static noise with APP2. Will be returning since I also don't quite like the new sound profile and they are less comfortable for me.

From rolan2q:

OMG after one week of ownership I had to exchange my AirPods Pro 3. During a flight from NYC to Chicago I had a whistling/wind noise on my right Airpod the whole time. I reset, repaired, cleaned them and same thing. Hopefully this is not a widespread issue.

Some users say the static is worse in one AirPod than the other, and others suggest that high frequencies also seem to be oddly amplified. Music mitigates the problem for some users, but not others. From EdRecde on Reddit:

I have the same problem. It's not possible to hear music at a low level around 30 db because the static is too much. It's my first pair of AirPods so I can't compare but only switching the microphones off makes the headphones silent

Not all AirPods Pro 3 units seem to be affected, and there are people who appear to be experiencing no issue at all. Some users may also be less sensitive to any kind of ambient static sound.

One user who reported the issue to Apple received replacement AirPods, and other people have exchanged the AirPods Pro 3 but experienced the same issue with the replacement pair. One user said that Apple is directing store employees to exchange the AirPods Pro 3 for users who report static issues.

It's not clear if the static that people are hearing is related to hardware or software, but if it is a software issue, Apple could address it in future firmware updates. The only option for eliminating the static entirely appears to be turning ANC and Transparency off, which can be done in the Settings app when wearing the AirPods.

Article Link: Some AirPods Pro 3 Owners Complain About Static Noise

 

[MacUserFella]

It’s a new feature, Background Sounds integration!

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

I thought this was a side effect of strong ANC ? am I wrong ?

 

[thadoggfather]

The AirPods Pro 3 Flight Problem — Basic Apple Guy

Testing Apple’s latest noise-cancelling earbuds at 39,000 feet reveals a potential flaw most users won’t notice, until they fly.

basicappleguy.com

To save a click, I'll just c+p the main part:

My trouble came at 39,000 feet when I first noticed a high-pitched whine coming from my left AirPod. The issue was that the AirPod’s ear seal kept loosening, leading to a noise-cancellation feedback loop and a painfully loud piercing screech from the AirPod. Attempts to readjust worsened the feedback, especially if I accidentally covered the external microphone with my finger. This happened multiple times, making the experience so unpleasant that I eventually switched to my spare EarPods for the remainder of the flight. While disappointed, I wasn’t ready to condemn the headphones yet; perhaps the medium seal worked fine on terra firma, but on flights, I might need a different size for a better seal.

After landing, I tested the tips and switched from a Medium to Extra Small (Apple offers XXS, XS, S, M, or L tips for AirPods Pro 3). Both XS and M tips sealed well and were comfortable for long wear. For weeks, I couldn’t reproduce the whistling feedback, and I forgot about it until my next flight earlier this week.

Once again, it was only a few minutes after takeoff that the painful screech returned. Careful adjustments or yawning would fix the issue, but only for a couple of minutes at most. I figured that the new foam tips were trapping more heat, reducing airflow and ventilation, and less flexible, and that somehow all that was playing a role in loosening the seal. And when paired with the aircraft’s loud, steady hum, a feedback loop was created. But day to day, this is a non-issue because I never encounter the same types of pressure changes and noises that would reproduce this issue.


--

Really concerning issue that seems to impact some people when up in the sky... I'm perfectly fine with my APP2's (lightning model no less, I mostly just use them for travel) and Airpods 4 with ANC for everything but if I were tempted, this would be something I'd have to be certain I wouldn't experience cause it sounds like a total deal breaker, changes to the fit aside (that I would also have to try out, since its a ymmv thing depending on your ear shape and size).

 

[ghostface147]

I thought this was a side effect of strong ANC ? am I wrong ?

That’s what I was leaning towards. I just picked up a set today. We’ll see how it goes.

 

[f0ku5]

I don't get it. What's the problem? Every headphone with ANC will "play" some static noise, it's how ANC works.

 

[boswald]

I don't get it. What's the problem? Every headphone with ANC will "play" some static noise, it's how ANC works.

I must be hard of hearing then because my APP2 didn't make any sound.

 

[ghostface147]

I don't get it. What's the problem? Every headphone with ANC will "play" some static noise, it's how ANC works.

However the airplane complaints are interesting. I haven’t flown in a couple of years, but didn’t have problems with AirPods in the past.

 

[LMC91]

Funny seeing this article since I had the problem last year with the AirPods Pro 2. I thought I'd treat myself to a pair to replace my standard AirPods 2. I got the rain sound effect, it was actually that bad that I genuinely thought it was heavy rain outside at first. I wondered if this was at all normal, but I assumed it wasn't. I sent them in for 'repair' to the retailer and was told they'd just fully replace them but got sent the exact same pair back. I got a refund and I've unfortunately been completely knocked off noise cancellation since then.

I actually posted about it last year.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/constant-white-noise-rain-sound-on-brand-new-airpods-pro-2.2446315/

 

[Digital Dude]

It’s not a new feature because I’ve had the static noise in my old AirPods for about a year or so. I kept thinking a firmware update would fix it. Unfortunately, Apple is no longer hungry, so there’s no incentive to stay on top of things’. 🫩

 

[haruhiko]

Fortunately mine doesn’t have this problem. I remember my AirPods Pro first generation used to have this and Apple replaced it for free even out of warranty.

 

[f0ku5]

I must be hard of hearing then because my APP2 didn't make any sound.

If we're talking about time when ANC is turned on then I saw everywhere on the internet that this is impossible as some static noise is completely normal. One headphones make more noise, others less, but it's all OK.

 

[varsity]

There’s a similar class action lawsuit in progress for the Gen 1 pros

 

[rolan2q]

I hope Apple can acknowledge this and address it. I had to go back to using APP2 and they’re fine on a plane unlike APP3. Should have put that H3 chip in them Apple 😏

 

[lauwing0923]

mine doesn't have the high frequency noise. But one day there was a loud noise when a worker is drilling the wall in my room, the Airpods Pro 3 had serious static noise with ANC on, sounded like microphone clipping noise, which was not pleasant, and not usable as a noise reduction device as well as an earphones. I don't remember I had the same issue with my original Airpods Pro

 

[rezonat0r]

This article conflates multiple issues.

I've had 3 pairs of AirPods Pro 3s, and while they varied slightly, all of them had a higher noise floor than my 2s. This is simply amplifier noise, and it will be more audible with ANC on of course because there is less external noise to mask it. It's funny that I've seen ZERO so-called reviewers mention this issue, when it's immediately apparent if you spent any time with the 2s.

Apple thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256145529?sortBy=rank (ignore the idiot with wax buildup)
Reddit thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AirpodsPro/comments/1nl2fem/ocean_static_noise_with_airpods_pro_3_anyone_else

Apple's either using different amplifiers or have made some different tradeoffs in the gain staging on the 3s. This won't be fixed in software.

OMG after one week of ownership I had to exchange my AirPods Pro 3. During a flight from NYC to Chicago I had a whistling/wind noise on my right Airpod the whole time. I reset, repaired, cleaned them and same thing. Hopefully this is not a widespread issue.

Completely different issue specific to ANC algorithm and/or fit. Probably can be fixed in software.

 

[Johnny907]

The AirPods Pro 3 Flight Problem — Basic Apple Guy

Testing Apple’s latest noise-cancelling earbuds at 39,000 feet reveals a potential flaw most users won’t notice, until they fly.

basicappleguy.com

To save a click, I'll just c+p the main part:

My trouble came at 39,000 feet when I first noticed a high-pitched whine coming from my left AirPod. The issue was that the AirPod’s ear seal kept loosening, leading to a noise-cancellation feedback loop and a painfully loud piercing screech from the AirPod. Attempts to readjust worsened the feedback, especially if I accidentally covered the external microphone with my finger. This happened multiple times, making the experience so unpleasant that I eventually switched to my spare EarPods for the remainder of the flight. While disappointed, I wasn’t ready to condemn the headphones yet; perhaps the medium seal worked fine on terra firma, but on flights, I might need a different size for a better seal.

After landing, I tested the tips and switched from a Medium to Extra Small (Apple offers XXS, XS, S, M, or L tips for AirPods Pro 3). Both XS and M tips sealed well and were comfortable for long wear. For weeks, I couldn’t reproduce the whistling feedback, and I forgot about it until my next flight earlier this week.

Once again, it was only a few minutes after takeoff that the painful screech returned. Careful adjustments or yawning would fix the issue, but only for a couple of minutes at most. I figured that the new foam tips were trapping more heat, reducing airflow and ventilation, and less flexible, and that somehow all that was playing a role in loosening the seal. And when paired with the aircraft’s loud, steady hum, a feedback loop was created. But day to day, this is a non-issue because I never encounter the same types of pressure changes and noises that would reproduce this issue.


--

Really concerning issue that seems to impact some people when up in the sky... I'm perfectly fine with my APP2's (lightning model no less, I mostly just use them for travel) and Airpods 4 with ANC for everything but if I were tempted, this would be something I'd have to be certain I wouldn't experience cause it sounds like a total deal breaker, changes to the fit aside (that I would also have to try out, since its a ymmv thing depending on your ear shape and size).

So I had this exact issue with my APP2’s, but it was only present while using ANC on flights. I finally got a sympathetic Apple employee to push her manager to approve a warranty swap despite the buds passing all the diagnostic tests, and sure enough the whistling went away and never returned. I used that same pair for two years prior without any problems, nothing changed that first time the whistling started other than perhaps a firmware update. It’s been so long I can’t remember but I know it’s nothing I did and wasn’t an issue with the bud fitment either.

 

[Paradoxally]

Bought APP3 early October. Took them on a couple of flights, no issues. I sleep with them with ANC on, no music. No issue.

I seem to have had luck, but I wonder how many users are affected. Is it a 1 in 1,000 or more a 1 in 100,000 kind of thing?

 

[realmccoy69]

interesting article , just read posts on reddit of people complaining of hearing static noise coming from their devices connected to bluetooth speakers , ear pods while charging after ios26 r.c. beta update

 

[Mac Overdose]

I WAS GOING TO BUY THESE BUT NOT NOW!!!!!

 

[referencedesk]

My left AirPod pro 3 is completely dead with the clicking and yet when I went to the Genius Bar they said their diagnostics showed no problems. The help wouldn’t try them on to demo. I’m so upset. If the clicking and static was gone these would be the best fitting and sounding AirPods I’ve had. Hopefully Apple makes a fix this is super disappointing.

 

[OnCampus2K]

I WAS GOING TO BUY THESE BUT NOT NOW!!!!!

Go ahead and get a pair. If they have the static, just return them. I've used mine all day every day since launch and I've never heard any type of static or noise in while using ANC.

 

[digimc]

I don't get it. What's the problem? Every headphone with ANC will "play" some static noise, it's how ANC works.

You are correct in that yes ANC plays some noise that is designed to counteract the sound wave that is being picked up by the microphone inside the Airpod's. Essentially the ANC sends out a sound wave that is the exact opposite of the wave that is coming into the microphone. The problem is that some companies are more aggressive with how that counter-active sound wave is amplified. The more aggressive the amplitude, the more noticeable a whine or squeal type of noise is going to appear to the listener.

Some companies do a really good job with ANC. The best companies from my experience are Bose, Seinheshier and Denon. Denon's ANC technology is especially effective, but you pay a pretty penny for it though.

 

[dannyyankou]

I think I will hold off getting these for now. AirPods Pro 2 have been very good, no issues at all.

AirPods Pro 1 on the other hand had so many issues lol

 

[macduke]

No static yet, had that on my first gen and not on my second gen, but so far my AirPods Pro 3 case lid is slightly loose, and creaks/has some play when closed. My Pro 2 case is rock solid still and I’ve had it since launch.

I think the affects of inflation/tariffs are making it to some of Apple’s best products. See how the iPhone Pro isn’t titanium anymore, but cheap aluminum. They are finding ways to save money and keep the same or similar prices.