AirPods Pro Rattling Noise

Same issue just happened to my Airpods Pro today. Rattling noise occurs from the right side when it is moved or touched even very lightly. When I turned off noise canceling or transparency mode the issue disappeared.

I purchased this AirPods Pro on December 2019. Waiting to get it replaced by Apple hopefully.

The moment I got the AirPods Pro as a gift and put them in my ears, the left AirPod had this rattling/buzzing/clicking when I moved or listened to bass heavy music, and if I tried to touch or pinch the AirPod Pro to change modes, a loud whistling/feedback started, on both "On" modes.

I was encouraged to wait until the next firmware came out, so I waited. And waited. And waited. They had released, and subsequently pulled the firmware. I followed up with support and they replaced it. Awesome. Except now, barely two months later, it's started in my right AirPod Pro.

Here's the thing. I'm neurotic about care and cleanliness. They're either in my ears or in the case. They don't get wet. They don't get thrown around. And with no use (for the left AirPod Pro) and barely 4 months of use (for the right AirPod Pro) they're already going bad? I had $12 T.J. Maxx checkout-line Skullcandy earbuds that lasted me 8 years, but Apple's $250 can't?

Can't for the warranty to expire. (-_-)

Had the same thing happen. First the left pod. Like a little piece broken inside the pod that shakes when I move my head and vibrates like a kazoo when I talk or hum. Went to Best Buy where I purchased and they replaced quickly under warranty. Few weeks later, the right side did that same thing and I got it replaced as well. Now, it’s been a month and the newly replaced left pod has the same problem. I’ve not dropped them. They don’t need cleaning. Happens with or without the silicon tip. This is a defect. Some delicate piece inside is breaking loose. Guess I’ll just keep getting them replaced once Rona is gone. Only have a few months left on warranty so it’s be nice if Apple would correct.

I think they know it is a problem. You can either go to a local Apple store, or they will ship a replacement and put a hold on your credit card until you return the bad item.

It is not related to the phone. Same issue if you're connected to another device.

Hi Yogesh, to date I have had 5 different AirPod Pro buds replaced for this issue. My conclusion is that when a user has the defect symptom which you describe, they will need to get the offending AirPod bud replaced. However, one must remember that since evidence is gathering that this is an endemic design issue with this particular Apple product it probably means there’s a high change that then either one of your buds will just fail again at some point in the future. If that occurs after your warranty has lapsed then Apple probably won’t entertain you if you try to make a claim.

Your particular situation will be made even worse by the fact that you only have 3rd party resellers in India. They will always be far less sympathetic if you try to argue your case. I would be tempted to demand a refund now while you still can if I were you. You can use this forum as evidence of your claim that this issue is a latent failure. Hopefully Apple will solve it when they release the Gen2 version whenever that will be.

I replaced the left pod due to the rattling, and now I've just created the case to replace the right pod. It helps speed up the replacement if you reference the previous replacement ID. This is absolutely a hardware design problem. The pods have a useful life of about two months before they start failing with the rattling. It is a failed design.

I had this exact issue in my right AirPod pro earbud. Almost like something inside had come loose and rattled when I touched it or when I walked. Incredibly irritating. Especially given how much they cost.

i have apple care on them and chatted to support. Like mentioned above, they sent out a replacement ASAP and it’s working great.

now the left one has gone the same way!!! Wtf Apple. Sigh. Chatting to support tomorrow.

I agree, all 3 times never a no for a replacement. Prior to going to my Apple Cert. Repair center I contact them via i message and the person was very helpful. The system

did not allowed the shipment due to the Covid situation, not that I makes sense, but I got a reservation for the Tech Center and 8 days later I picked my replacements.

So as mentioned in my previous post, I’ve now had the left earbud replaced and it’s all good.

But just to clear up what *I* perceive the issue being: it’s a physical defect, not a software one.

When the issue happened, it was when the earbuds were effectively ‘turned off’ and not being used. Whenever i moved or especially walked, there was some rattling sound in the earbud(s) that happened whoever I moved or, say walking/running, would happen when my heel connected with the floor.

Trying to adjust the earbud in my ear didn’t help; it wasn’t that ‘squishy/squidgy’ sound like moisture or stickiness. If I lightly tapped the earbud(s), it rattled loudly then softer then stopped. Almost like some loose connection would make an audible ticking sound as it vibrated and slowly softened/abated as the vibration subsided.

I am convinced this is a physical defect of some sort within the earbud which Apple have yet (and probably will not) admit.

I only hope that the next version of the AirPod pros have this defect fixed, as I do find them some of, if not the best wireless earbuds with noise cancelling for their cost.

I found this thread while searching for the same issue. It seems like the ANC microphone in my left AirPods Pro went bad. I contacted Apple Support at the link above and they are sending replacements since mine are still on Apple Care.

I received my replacement yesterday and so far, no more rattling. I'd recommend anyone experiencing this behavior to go though chat support. They had my replacement to me within 2 days.

Yes the replaced both since they couldn’t pass the the ear fit test. Picked them up today

Guys:

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

We should change the answer to this thread to this link: https://support.apple.com/airpods-pro-service-program-sound-issues

AppleCare shouldn’t come into it... they’re covered by a 1 year manufacturer’s warranty. And, in the UK, we’re covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 which also compels a retailer to replace faulty goods within the first 6 months.