AirPods Pros making crackling static noises

I have the exact same issue. It started this week.

Whenever I call or listen to music, I start hearing the weird sound on the right airpod only. It gets worst when I touch it, every single time my finger touches the external part of the airpord, there is this interference like sound.

I called apple, we did the troubleshooting steps including resetting and disconnecting from the phone/device but it happens no matter where they are connected. The same issue occurs if I use an iPhone, Macbook, iPad or even an android device.

For me it's a hardware related issue but they are asking me to take the airpods to an apple store. In Mexico we are in phase 3 of the pandemic and most stores, like the apple ones are closed! I do have an apple care and I'm deeply disappointed because I'm not getting a solution.

I recently bought my Airpod Pro and after a month started experiencing this really annoying buzzing sound from the right year. Many sources say I should go the apple store, but I'm in Kazakhstan right now and not able to even visit the apple store and can' even travel because of this Covid stuff. @AppleSupport pls help. Is it possible to ship a new right airpod to Kazakhstan?

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!

Replacement is the only way. I am in Thailand, mail in replacement is not available. But apple customer care show me the authorized repair center in Bangkok and I had to walk-in and finally got replaced. Although it took sometime, but now it works like new.

I had the same issue with my the left Airpod. I just contacted Apple Support and they are sending me a new left Airpod.

Problem solved.

So if you have any issues like these just contact Apple Support.

I’ve replaced both AirPods Pro ear pieces that failed within a month of each other (after 6-7 months use).

The problem I had appears to be a mechanical issue with the AirPods which manifests as a buzzing sound at specific harmonic frequencies via external sounds sources e.g. one only buzzed with external sound at 135hz. I.e. this happened in all modes and with no music being played at the time.

It appears that this issue could be common as one of my son’s ear pieces of his AirPods Pro has started doing exactly the same.

After I got both sides replaced. The replacements started to fail. After contacting Apple about this, instead of replacing them again they sent me brand new ones. We'll see how long these last before the same problems appear. What's most concerning is that they didn't ask me to return the defective ones. Which makes me think they are completely aware of the problems but don't want to recall them.

I have this exact same problem. I bought my airpods pro fresh out of the box from the apple store in Feb 2020 and the problem didnt start until the last few days. it only happens on noise canceling and transparency. This seems software related. I performed the reset and unpairing and then subsequent repairing and the problem persists.

PLEASE someone fix this! I paid a lot of money for these!

After 3 months, my right airpod pro also started buzzing. Mainly when I was talking but also with music when there was base.

Apple replaced my right airpod pro and then after 2 weeks use, the right one started buzzing again.

In reading this and other threads, seems to be a consistent issue with right airpod pros so assume a design issue. Not great given the premium pricing. I'm inclined to just get a refund and switch if this is likely to be an ongoing design issue.

My Left one is doing it but its not doing it as strong as it was before after I re-paired the airpods with my iphone. It seems this is a software issue. Because they were perfectly fine until the last couple of weeks. I dont know how often Apple updates the firmware on the airpods but they need to fix this asap

This is just a short "me too", my right AirPod Pro started doing some "crackling" sound a couple of days ago on video conference video, and today as well. I found this thread and claned it very throughly. It seems to be fine so far by listening music for around half an hour, I'll see if the workaround is permanent, hoping for the best!

For the failure mode I was experiencing, the buzzing was definitely caused by external noise, I.e. not the music being played through them. I was able to reproduce the buzzing at specific musical notes from a trombone, though each AirPod vibrated at different notes/frequency. (And just to confirm my son ended up sending both his AirPods back for replacement due to exactly the same problem). From this I’d conclude there is a design/manufacturing issue??

Yes I agree Quarksome. Mine buzz even when not on, like my previous ones did before Apple replaced them. So to me this has to mean it’s not a software issue and instead, a hardware issue.

I am wanting a replacement from Apple as under warranty AGAIN but I fear this will keep occurring due to design issues.

I've had mine replaced four times now.

bought them in november, since them it happens every 2 months.

3 substitutions for the right side, one for the left side.

I'm seriously upset by this now, because here in Brazil I have to take it to a 'apple authorized service center', where it usually sits for two weeks until the new replacement side arrives.

So I basically keep mine for 6 weeks, then it stays 2 weeks at maintenance.

Can you imagine how upset I am?

Has anyone found a fix for this yet? I got my Airpod Pros back in January and they were fine until early May when the latest firmware update came out, then that crackling sound started happening in my right Airpod. It only happens in NC and transparency modes. I've tried resetting them, forgetting this device, etc, and nothing works so far. Apple really sh*t the bed with these things, they don't stay secure in my ears either. Hands down the worst Apple product I've ever bought. I won't recommend them to anyone. I should be asking for my $$ back.