AirPods Pros making crackling static noises

So I am replacing my right AirPod Pro for the second time. I expect this issue to continue indefinitely. VERY disappointed that Apple would not allow me to purchase AppleCare for the AirPod Pros after 60 days of purchase. Obviously there is a significant design flaw. Guys - this IS NOT a firmware issue. There is a problem with the external microphones. Replaced the right Pod twice and the left once already. Inquired about extending my warranty another year after the replacements. Just sent the feedback link. Again, VERY DISAPPOINTED. Worst performing Apple product I've owned since the Newton!

Whatever the issue is, these things are pieces of ****. Whenever the Airpods Pro 2 comes out, Apple should be replacing original Airpods Pros that are defective with 2's. These things cost a ******* fortune to, in Canada where I am, they're $330 CDN. Honestly I'm done with bluetooth wireless headphones/earbuds. Wired from now on.

Keep pushing Apple, after two replacements, Apple finally sent me a brand new set. What's upsetting is that they didn't ask me to send back the defective AirPods. It sort say to me that Apple knows about the issue and don't need anymore retuned items to confirm anything. I'm still skeptical that my new pairs will last. However I've also talked couple of friends who own AirPods Pro without any problems "yet," thus maybe there is a batch of lemons out there that need to be replaced. I think Apple should recall these AirPods, but is avoiding it. More people need to know that they can get help(replacements to start with) if they notice any ides with their AirPods pros.

I’ve seen videos and read articles about people sending back one defective AirPod, left or right, and Apple sending back one replacement lol. There’s no way I’m doing that. Whenever the next generation of AirPods Pro comes out, Apple needs to recall every single defective pair of the originals and replace them free of charge, with AppleCare thrown in for free.

You just described my exact experience with these things lol. I've tried everything you have. Interesting thing I noticed in the last few days however, when I have them paired with my Macbook Pro, there's no static/crackling sound, it only happens when paired with my iPhone or iPad. Nonetheless the Airpods Pros are pieces of sh*t, Apple should be doing a complete recall on these things.

Apple should be giving full refunds or replacing them with the next generation of Airpods Pro without question, whether they're outta warranty or not. They're the biggest piece of sh*t Apple product I've ever bought.

Go to the Apple store right away! Get a replacement. These AirPods pros needs to be recalled! I've had left, then right replaced. Then when they went bad, got a brand new pair sent by Apple. What's upsetting is that they didn't ask my my defective pair. Apple is aware of this problem and should be recalling all AirPods pros.

I've read stories of people sending the one defective airpod pro back to Apple through the mail and receiving a replacement, there's no way I'm doing that lol. I should be able to walk into an Apple Store and get a brand new replacement pair sealed in the box, not those pairs in the little plastics bag they give out as replacements. I'm either gonna push for a refund or wait until the next generation of these things comes out.

[Edited by Moderator]

If you don't mind the small hassle, support is quick to replace. Just had set #5 (went back and counted) sent out...they also sent a new case this time. Basically got on with chat support, quickly stopped them before they sent question. Sent them a few of the old case #'s and told him I could answer questions, but had gone through everything in terms of resetting devices, resynching, and basically wanted to figure out how to get a replacement set sent out again ASAP. Had replacements by noon next day.

I just read an article form iDropnews (https://apple.news/A2um8mYnZQUCxFk3h1hgOxA) where it shows an update to fix the noise cancellation issue and they specifically state that this new update will NOT fix the popping and crackling issue. That is a hardware issue. I went through 3 pros and I’m loving my gen 2’s.

2nd pair of Airpods pro with crackling. Spoke to Apple rep and they suggested I take them to Genuis Bar to assess. Waiting 2 weeks to find availability, took them in and was asked to leave them. 2 days later got a call to pick up replacement for right airpod. When I asked what the issue was, person said we didnt even check and just replacing them.

I asked if these a faulty then what happens when the warranty runs out, how many will I need to replace?

Not happy with this purchase and Apple should take more of a proactive approach here e.g. like car companies need to do with faulty airbags and recalls.

Until the next buzzing...

This is clearly a design problem, there's no way to really switch off the feed onto the driver (mini speaker) so it is always producing input, no matter which mode is selected, therefore, when you're talking while wearing your AirPods Pro (mostly doing phone calls), the sound you produce, is re-feed onto the AirPods Pro creating more pressure than the driver is capable to bare and consequently breaking it.

Any AirPods Pro can be broken in 1 phone call.

The way to replicate this is: 1. Put your AirPods Pro on transparency mode 2. Max volume and make a phone call on an empty room 3. Speak loudly = AirPods Pro dead...

BTW, I'm not a heater by any means, I've got plenty good products from Apple, these however, are not!

This is exactly why I'm not exchanging them for another pair. I'm either getting a refund or waiting til the new gen of AirPods Pro comes and exchange them then. Apple needs to recall these things asap.

Mine just updated to the latest firmware that came out a few days ago and they’re still making that crackling noise. I think it’s a hardware issue, and a very flawed design if this many people are having the same issue. I’m either getting a refund or waiting til the next gen of these things comes out. There’s no point in getting replacements if even the replacements will have the same problems. I’ve been reading posts of people going through 2-3 replacements lol. Apple needs to recall these things.

I had the same crackling sound issue on the left piece and a buzzing sound in the right piece. I have spent a crazy amount of time with apple support over the last 3 months on this issue and finally decided to take the AirPods Pro to the Apple store.

Visited the Genius Bar yesterday after a 1 hour drive. After waiting for 2 hours in queue, they did some basic test and decided to replace both the left and the right Airpods Pro pieces. To my surprise, the firmware of the replaced left earpiece (2B584) was different from that of the right earpiece (2B588) and simply the airpods were not usable together the whole of yesterday. Again had to spent an additional 1 hour with apple support, then followed the steps given in my previous post to sync up the mismatched firmware versions to the latest firmware version (2D27).

Today is my second day with the replaced Airpods pro. The crackling and the buzzing sound, touch wood, has not reoccurred till time.

While am happy that my replaced AirPods Pro is finally usable...have a lot of questions and doubts which are unanswered....

1 - Is the issue a generic hardware issue or a software issue?

Basically, have this question as I did not get a chance to check if installing 2D27 solved the the crackling sound in my old problematic Airpods pro. The version of the old problematic AirPods Pro was 2D15 at the time of replacement and apple does not give any control for its consumers to directly initiate the firmware update for Airpods.

2 - Will the crackling & buzzing sound reoccur on the replaced AirPods Pro after some time of usage ?

Have started using my replaced AirPods Pro very frequently since I replaced it yesterday. Am worried that this problem will start after the warranty period....and so I want to find out sooner, if it re occurs again, at least within the warranty period....so that I can have it replaced again.

3 - If the answer to my 1st question is that the AirPods Pro has a generic “Hardware Issue”.....Is Apple ready to consider a recall and replacemeant of problematic AirPods Pro beyond the warranty period?

In such similar situations in that past, apple has extended the warranty of some of its faulty products beyond the normal warranty date of the product. They extended replacement of Apple Watch series 1 beyond 3 years for a generic battery issue which caused the Apple Watch series 1’s back cover to pop out. So the question is...will apple take a similar stance for the faulty Airpods Pro design ? (Although it Is not conclusive that this Issue is a hardware design issue, due to lack of communication from apple regarding this specific issue)

I strongly feel apple should beef up its communication on the faulty Airpods pro “Crackling & Buzzing sound Issue” and extend warranty for its faithful customers who are a victim of this situation especially due to the following reasons !!

A - Given the fact that this particular issue is so much widespread

B - People have spent so much time with Apple’s support and Genius Bar

C - The AirPods Pro is not a cheap piece of device that customer have to go through this trauma.

Apple, you need to talk more on what is going on here !