Esilian

Q: Static noise coming from Headphones when using Macbook Pro charger

I bought a new Magsafe Charger (85W) for my macbook and i noticed that when the charger is pluged into the macbook pro, there is a lot of static noise when using headphones. If i remove the headphones the static noise goes away and doesnt happen with the macbook's own speakers. Also if continue to use headphones and i disconnect the charger from the macbook pro, the static noise goes away again. Ive tried using different headphones, the problem continues, and ive tried using my old charger and it works perfect without any static noise, so it seems the new charger is the reason behind it.

 

Im using a mid 2009 macbook pro, which came with the t-style connector for its charger. the new charger that i bought is l-type connector. is the static noise down to the updated version of the charger, would it just continue if i exchanged it and would have to try to find an old t-style charger as it came with the macbook pro? Or is there something i can do to the macbook i have now that would solve the static noise issue?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Nov 2, 2013 8:02 AM

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Q: Static noise coming from Headphones when using Macbook Pro charger

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  • by triptomoon,

    triptomoon triptomoon Nov 7, 2013 12:08 AM in response to Esilian
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 7, 2013 12:08 AM in response to Esilian

    I have exactly the same problem except I'm using a late-2009 13 inch Macbook (not Pro) and both the old adapter and the new one I just bought are L-style (60W)

    Whenever I plug the adapter in I can hear a hissing static noise through my headphone, if I remove it, the noise is gone. Also, there's no such noise when I'm using my old adapter, so this must be the problem with the new Magsafe itself.

  • by Blueloony,

    Blueloony Blueloony Nov 20, 2013 9:50 PM in response to triptomoon
    Level 1 (68 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 20, 2013 9:50 PM in response to triptomoon

    Having the same problem. This ist he first time it's happening.

    MacBook Pro Late 2011

     

    The sound stops when my hands are toching the areas near the trackpad..

  • by fredsterrrr,

    fredsterrrr fredsterrrr Dec 17, 2013 9:31 PM in response to Esilian
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 17, 2013 9:31 PM in response to Esilian

    It ***** that no one has an answer for this yet, it's happenning to me too im using beats by dre studio 

  • by ViktorTs,

    ViktorTs ViktorTs Dec 19, 2013 1:11 PM in response to Esilian
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 19, 2013 1:11 PM in response to Esilian

    I can also confirm the same problem. I have a late 2011 Macbook Pro 13". My original Magsafe died and I bought an aftermarket one, which works fine charging the thing. However, the static noise in the headphones jack starts to build up after charging the Mac for some time.

     

    So far the only solution I found is to briefly disconnect the charger from the Macbook until the static noise is gone and then replugging it. It is quite annoying, but not as much as having a constant static buzz in your years

     

    I would gladly welcome a more sustainable solution to this problem.

  • by umar.is,

    umar.is umar.is Jan 7, 2014 6:26 AM in response to Esilian
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 7, 2014 6:26 AM in response to Esilian

    I have the same problem with my Macbook pro retina late 2013.

    It is static but the strangest thing is that the noise is still there even if the charger is not connected to power.

     

    Hope someone can come up with a solution to this problem thanks in advance.

  • by wrbailey,Helpful

    wrbailey wrbailey Feb 18, 2014 10:07 AM in response to Esilian
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Feb 18, 2014 10:07 AM in response to Esilian

    I did a lot of searching and found one suggested solution online (it didn't fix it completely based off their instruction) which allowed me to eliminate the static about 99%.

     

    If you go to Applications>Utlities>Audio MIDI Setup

     

    I was able to mess around with the settings for the headphones and it made the static mostly go away.

     

    I chose "Format - 96kHz" and 2Ch-20 bit Integer. That's the best one for me. When a track gets REALLY quite, I can still sometimes hear a moment of static, but it is MUCH better than it was.

     

    I am not sure on the technical side, for those you edit audio and video, what kind of quality this may eliminate, but for me, I just listen to iTunes and videos on ESPN, it is much more enjoyable now.

     

    Mess around with the different combinations for you (and your specific headphones) and hopefully you'll find an optimal setting.

     

    I hope this helps some people. Felt like I was listening to a mix tape from the 80s with the static.

  • by gcarrascal,

    gcarrascal gcarrascal Apr 21, 2014 8:51 AM in response to Esilian
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 21, 2014 8:51 AM in response to Esilian

    I am also having this problem. I have a late 2011 Macbook Pro, for which I bought a new charger a few months ago. The static doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, it's quite loud. Like another user mentioned, the only thing that makes the static become quieter is placing my hands on either side of the trackpad.

     

    I tried the suggested fix in Audi MIDI Setup, but it didn't help. Has anyone else found a solution?

  • by ViktorTs,

    ViktorTs ViktorTs Apr 21, 2014 12:13 PM in response to gcarrascal
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 21, 2014 12:13 PM in response to gcarrascal

    Hi gcarrascal,

     

    I've experienced the same problem with all the aftermarket chargers I bought for the Mac. As far as I can interpret the problem, it's a hardware thing...probably the unoriginal chargers don't charge properly and create static electricity that reaches the headphones jack . The only way around it is to get your original charger from an Apple store. There's also a cheeper way around it. If the problem with your original charger is just  the cable just have the cable replaced (try a local shop that specialises in this kind of repairs).

     

    I hope this helps. I certainly did help me

  • by DReyRose,

    DReyRose DReyRose Jun 10, 2014 8:09 PM in response to Esilian
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 10, 2014 8:09 PM in response to Esilian

    Here is what I've found. I am a Dj and I can NOT have this noise while doing gigs. It has taken me quite a bit of time to work through this but what I've done is added a simple "external usb audio card" and my nosie is now gone. It cost me $9.99 and a trip through  >Preferences >Sound> select the sound card for output. 

     

    This has been driving me crazy and I've tried anti-hum and ground loop blockers, 3 prongers, two prongers, etc. etc.

     

    I found mine at Micro Center but they are at many places. You do NOT need the $99 and up sound cards at Guitar Center.

     

    May I add, I have had this problem since day one with my brand new Macbook Pro. Brand new charger that came with it. I also bought another charger, from Applestore just to have a back up and to see if it was the charger but alas, this did not solve my problemo either.

     

    Anyway, I hope this helps others

  • by Joel Lesleighter,

    Joel Lesleighter Joel Lesleighter Jun 28, 2014 12:47 AM in response to Esilian
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 28, 2014 12:47 AM in response to Esilian

    Return or discard the charger immediately, and contact Apple and make them aware of the issue.

     

    The noise stops when you place your hands near the trackpad, because your body is grounding electrical interference in your computer caused by the charger.
    If the problem in the charger circuitry worsens you could end up grounding a lethal amount of electricity.

  • by Zamzzz,

    Zamzzz Zamzzz Jul 13, 2014 10:11 PM in response to Esilian
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 13, 2014 10:11 PM in response to Esilian

    Hey I have a fix.

    I have a 2010 15" MBP. Just bought a replacement charger because my old one was fried. Noticed static from the speakers when charger was plugged in. So I switched up the little plug on the charger (with the one from my old charger). Im talking about the part that actually plugs in to the power (the little removable piece on the charger). Now if I use my older plug or even my older extension cable; voila! No static . Hope it helps.

  • by hopui,

    hopui hopui Dec 15, 2014 11:30 AM in response to wrbailey
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 15, 2014 11:30 AM in response to wrbailey

    This worked for me. Thanks!

     

    Here are the settings I used ... 99% of the static went away

     

    96 kHz / 32 bit float

  • by nizx,Helpful

    nizx nizx Jan 18, 2015 11:46 PM in response to hopui
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 18, 2015 11:46 PM in response to hopui

    Hope this helps some of you, what solved my issue was the following,

     

    Open Terminal

    type cd /Library/Preferences/Audio and press Enter

    type ls and press Enter

    you should see two files, com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist and com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist

    type sudo rm com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist and press Enter it will prompt you for your password

    type sudo rm com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist and press Enter

    this will delete the audio settings for your OS

    type sudo killall coreaudiod and press Enter

    that will restart the audio system and all should be working now, at least, it did for me.

  • by playadvdh,

    playadvdh playadvdh Jan 23, 2015 8:57 AM in response to nizx
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 23, 2015 8:57 AM in response to nizx

    This one worked for me, thank you! I thought is was the adaptor...

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