AirPods Pros making crackling static noises

A particularly helpful Genius in the main DC Apple Store seems to have found a solution to the crackling issue. After describing the problem and litany of troubleshooting measures I had taken, he said "Hold on a sec, I think I can fix that." He came back with alcohol wipes and some gray fun-tak (aka adhesive putty). After wiping down the white plastic parts with alcohol, he very gently pressed a small amount of the fun-tak against each of the black microphone covers to pull out tiny pieces of debris. Apparently these microphones are ridiculously sensitive, so if anything gets in there it screws up the whole noise cancelling feedback loop.

I'm only 24 hours out from the repair, but all seems well so far. The main takeaway for me... don't put your AirPod pros into your pocket unsheathed. And generally don't expose them to any kind of dirt or dust.

Hey there!

Sorry to head you’re having trouble with your AirPods Pro. If your AirPods Pro were manufactured before October 2020 you could be eligible for a free replacement at any Apple Authorized Retailer or from Apple themselves.

Here’s a direct quote from Apple:

“An affected AirPods Pro may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:

• Crackling or static sounds that increase in loud environments, with exercise or while talking on the phone
• Active Noise Cancellation not working as expected, such as a loss of bass sound, or an increase in background sounds, such as street or airplane noise”

Below you’ll find Apple’s official response and details on how to claim your replacement.

• https://support.apple.com/airpods-pro-service-program-sound-issues

Hope I helped!

Cheers.

• I fixed this problem by resetting the airpods (by holding the button on the back for 15 seconds till the light goes amber) then unpairing them from all devices that i didn't want to connect to and then turned there bluetooth off. I think this problem occurs because numerous devices are trying to connect to them at once. Works fine now but may be different for you.

This was happening on my left ear with the Airpod Pro. Popping every time I had transparency or noise cancellation on. No popping when it was turned off. I contacted Apple Support and they suggested removing the tip and seeing if it was still going on. It worked with the tip off. They suggested new tips, or trying one of the other sizes. (Tips are not covered by AppleCare)

I'm convinced that it has something to do with the microphone that filters sounds. It happened to me as well after owing the Pros for about 3 months and using them on a daily basis. As it became progressively worse - at first it would stop when I used noice cancelation, but then all of the time - I finally called Apple Support (1-800-MyApple). We went through the routine of unpairing and re-pairing the AirPods. In the end, Apple sent me a new right AirPod, which I received the next day via FedEx. Problem solved. Unfortunately, this appears to be a common issue.

People need to stop trying software fixes for the clicking/popping issue. It is hardware. Get it replaced by Apple.

It's a known fault and people I have spoken to at the Apple store said others have been replaced with the same issue.

This needs to be pinned.

Hello sudir240. Apple replaced my right AirPod Pro under their 1 year warranty for no cost.

I had to provide a credit card to ensure that I sent the faulty one back (they provided a shipper that could be reused and had a prepaid label). I would have been charged $99 if I didn’t return the defective AirPod within a week.

I did the same. It was my left AirPod Pro. They sent me a new one the next day and held $99 credit card fee incase I didn't return the old one. It was easy and my new one doesn't have the crackling static noise. I do have AppleCare on the AirPods Pro but I don't think that mattered because this was covered under original warranty.

I won't rehash a lot of what has already been said, other than to say I was experiencing the same, in my right AirPod Pro. I also tried everything suggested here, thoroughly cleaning them, blowing into them, unpairing and repairing them, etc. It's a hardware issue, period. Called Apple Support on Friday, April 10, and had a single new AirPod Pro at my front door Monday, April 13. Save yourself time and headache and get it replaced. Smooth sailing with the replacement so far.

If I had one complaint with the replacement (and it is ridiculously minor). Pairing my new right AirPod Pro with my existing left AirPod Pro renames my AirPods Pro when connected to AirPods Pros #2.

I solved this, at least for me. I had trouble with my left airpod some time ago. Miraculously it healed itself. Then suddenly the right. But I noticed it was reactive to my touching the airpod while it was in my ear, not at the bottom by the mic, but the sensor on the side (not the top). It was almost sounded like static electricity, faint crackling. But it would stop completely if I stood still and didn't touch it. That sensor is what determines the ambient sound for purposes of adjusting noise cancellation and transparency. So I used a good old fashioned compressed air can (which has saved my keyboard more than once) and just gave a brief shot from a distance (so as not to damage the sensor), VOILA! Problem completely solved. Dust or particles must have gotten inside the grating and were causing it to completely confuse the sensor as to the ambient sound. If you try this (which may work just as well by blowing on it intensely), just don't get too close with the compressed air as the components are very small and sensitive and could be damaged if the stream of air is too close or powerful. Good luck!

This is a hardware issue that requires a replacement. Contact 1-800-My-Apple. You will need a credit card which will be temporarily charged $99USD in case you do not return the damaged AirPod to Apple. I received my replacement in the US via FedEx in less than 24 hours. Excellent service!

Replacement arrived one day after I called. Means they know there’s a weak hardware component in the noise cancelling apparatus. No issues now. You can waste all the time you want pairing, repairing, shutting off and on, putting in case, cleaning the external mesh. Bottom line: the external noise sensors have coronavirus....

After having this problem since November, trying all the "solutions" I could find, waiting for software updates, going to the Apple store with no solution, waiting for more updates, I FINALLY called apple and asked for a replacement. The replacement came two days later and now my AirPods Pro finally work again. Not only is the distortion gone but the sound quality is much better too. Apparently I lost a lot of bass when the crackling stated happening.

I had crackling noises in both AirPods Pro for months but NOT ANYMORE! I always ignored the "clean them" advice but after a service center returned them untouched a "senior apple adviser" said that they have to be EXTREMELY clean. It made no sense to me and I didn't believe it but having no choice I used sticky putty/ blue/ white tack (which I use with my 1st and 2nd generation AirPods as explained by sb here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEzgl8rNPJc) and meticulously cleaned every orifice. THE CRACKLING IS GONE!

Seems like an over-engineered product- shame on apple that they would rather do mass replacements instead of monitoring threads like this one and advising how to fix issues.

Let me know guys if it works for you.

I experienced a similar issue with my AirPod Pros. Absolutely terrific product until started experiencing bad noise and static in right Air Pod when either noise control or transparency mode was on. This happened after owning them for about four months. Noticed it for the first time when running with them. It the. became noisy even without those modes on. Contacted Apple and they have replaced the right AirPod. I had to return the faulty right AirPod (if I did not return the AirPod within 10 days I would be charged for the replacement). This sounds like somewhat of a systemic issue with the AirPod Pros so hope it doesn’t happen again!