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

Spot on to Joel Lesleighter's comment!!!

I experienced identical problems with a new magsafe charger (official apple one, nonetheless).  Additionally, the static would drastically dissipate when touching areas around the trackpad.  I took it to an authorized dealer/repairer and they said the magsafe was, indeed, faulty and that it was a smart move to go ahead an disconnect the charger.

Don't fry your $1,300 computer by using an after-market charger to save $20 or $30.  It's just not worth it.

Again, thanks Joel for keying me in on the potential damage.  You may have saved me a lot of heartache.  Cheers!

I think I may have just found a solution to this problem and it's very simple. I too bought a 3rd party charger because Apple charging $100 for an AC adapter is just ridiculous in my opinion. I can buy a cheap laptop for that price.

I had 2 AC adapters noticed that only the new one I purchased had this problem. I tried many things like swapping the prongs, none of it worked.

Then I inspected the adapter again. When you take off the prong attachment there is a metal rod that holds it in place (see picture). It's hard to see with the naked eye, but upon further inspection and feeling with my finger, I noticed it didn't feel quite metal. That's when I noticed there was a thin plastic film covering it.

I simply peeled off the plastic and reattached the prong.

Viola, the static noise was gone. Not sure if it'll work for everyone here, but it definitely worked for me. Just wanted to share my experience in hopes that it helps someone else out.

I'm experiencing the same problem. When the AC mag safe is plugged in, there is a static buzz on my headphones.  When I remove the magsafe connection, the noise goes away.  That tells me its the magsafe AC power.

I tried the kill core audio thing on the last post but it didn't work.  While it's nice to know I can by an intermediary device or filter, that doesn't satisfy me.

After spending $2,200 on a new 2015 MBP, I consider it a design flaw when a plugged in macbook (using OEM Apple Magsafe power supply) generates noise on it's headphone output.  Is the macbook pro no longer the elite device for audio and video?  Or was I just confused in thinking that it was?

i had the same issue. it led me to believe it was the power adapter. then i eliminated an extension i was using on my headphone jack, and the humm buzz sound was gone. (i tried the terminal fix and the audio midi setup app thing)

I had the same problem and the same solution seemed too have worked-

Ditch the power supply.

Thanks greatly

Follow up questions-

1. Were you able to ascertain whether the problem lay with the power brick

or that you plug into the wall?

2. Does the problem occurs with after market power supplies?

Any problem with new Apple brand replacements?

(The one I have looks like its Apple but since I inherited the machine who knows?)

hey, thanks for this!  it did solve the problem for me

Ya, mine was related to the power supply causing the static noise.

Once I unplugged my powerbook, the static disappears. Plug it in again, and the static returns. It is likely due to older electrical wiring.

I wonder if the noise will go away if there was a clean electric signal from an APC.

ur awsome !

This helped!

Restart Mac after doing it, as when I clicked any of the Volume buttons the keyboard it said nothing would happen, but follow above instructions (copy paste them in) and then when complete, restart Mac.

This helped a lot as I do music production on Logic, cheers mate

This seemed obvious, but upon inspection there was extra plastic on the back rather than the metal, so I have taken this off.

Doing this, and the Terminal commands on the first page, sorted this out completely for me. Thanks a lot everyone

Spoke too soon. It did help, but come back. It's definitely linked to the charger being plugged in

Thanks, it worked for me too after the restart. cheers!

Worked for me. Thank you for posting!