Macbook Pro 13-inch 2020 speakers crackling and distorting sound

Hello gpress64,

We see that you're having issues with the sound coming from your internal speakers. We can understand wanting to have that fixed permanently. Here are a few links that we feel will support you with the problems you're experiencing.

• If the internal speakers on your Mac aren't working
• If you can’t hear sound from your Mac speakers

If you follow the steps on these pages and still have the issue, you'll want to Contact Apple for support and service.

Best regards!

gpress64,

We can understand why you may consider this to be a hardware issue. If this is the case, you'll want to get a hands-on look at your device. You can Contact Apple for support and service, and they'll be able to give you more information about your available support options.

Cheers!

I have Mac Pro 13 inch 2020 with Touch Bar, I have same problem too. It appears to be a design issue. It is bothering me as it crackles more often and my laptop is less than 3 months old. The problem started within a month. I took it for repair at apple store, they had the laptop for a day and said couldn't replicate it but lot of us have the same issue.

I still have this problem reappearing.

I also found another thread with similar issue: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7772834?login=true

This was suggested by the Apple Support agent.

Try deleting these files first, by running these commands in Terminal:

> sudo rm -rf /Library/Preferences/com.apple.soundpref.plist (Note: if this file is not present, continue to the next file below.)

> sudo rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.soundpref.plist

> sudo rm -rf /Library/Preferences/Audio/com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist

> sudo rm -rf /Library/Preferences/Audio/com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist

If this doesn't solve the crackling sound issue, we should use Capture Data app (see below) to record the system state when the issue happens and then send it to Apple.

Please follow these instructions on how to do it:

1. Download this disk image.

2. Open the disk image, then open the application it contains. The application will automatically locate the requested files.

3. To send the files, contact Apple Support online service and ask for a link to send the files.

On top of that, it's also good that you make a small video that clearly shows the problem and also send it to the Apple Support service.

I'm having the same problem and have also only owned my Macbook Pro 13-inch 2020 for a few weeks. I've noticed the crackling occurring when watching Netflix and Youtube. Did you manage to resolve the issue?

I'm also having a similar issue. Only had my MacBook about two weeks and on two occasions while watching videos the sounds just suddenly distorts terribly and stays that way. After that, does not matter if I'm streaming video or playing an audio file, the sound is heavily distorted. Restarting the computer seems to fix it, for awhile, but that is a huge pain. Dismayed to hear that Apple has not identified the problem and a fix.

Exact same problem here. New 2020 13" MacBook Pro. Crackling / distorted sound when using the MB Pro internal speakers. Restart fixes the problem, but only temporarily. Definitely a systemic issue with these latest round of MacBooks. Apple...are you listening? Looks like you had the same problem a few years back with the 16" MacBook Pros. Time to fix the issue again ASAP!

Yeah, I chatted with support a few days ago...they offered to exchange for a new one, though not sure how widespread the problem is, but may be worth a shot. Also, they told me that the return/exchange window is extended to 45 days (from normal 14) due to pandemic, which is helpful. Alternative is taking in for repair, but based on earlier posts, does not sound like that offers much hope.

Interesting. Yeah me taking in to an Apple store isn't going to happen. Don't live anywhere near one. And I've confirmed the problem isn't isolated to just my MacBook Pro speakers. Happens no matter the audio device I'm using (bluetooth headphones, external monitor with speakers, etc). All the same distorted sound problem. Guess I'll give Apple a ring. I've had this Mac all of a week!

My sound issue also started about a week after getting it. Does not happen all the time, but on several occasions, after watching something for a bit, the sound suddenly corrupts, and then stays that way till I restart. Planning to callback today to arrange an exchange. Fingers crossed the next one doesn't have the same problem.

Yup...exact same problem. Restart fixes it...sounds fine for a bit, then the sound goes bad and only a restart fixes it. Guess I too need to do an exchange, but yeah....who's to say the next one won't have the same problem!

Go to Spotlight/Search, type "Terminal", copy-paste that command and run it. It'll prompt you to enter your password, since it's making a system change.

(In general, you shouldn't just run random commands if you don't understand what they do, since they could do things like delete the contents of your laptop. This one doesn't, though.)

The command stops and restarts what seem to be Apple's audio drivers, or some software associated with the audio. This suggests the crackling is a software bug, not a problem with faulty hardware.

Note: while this fixed the original issue for me (speakers crackly 100% of the time), I'm still noticing the occasional "pop" from my laptop speakers, which shouldn't be happening. I'm not sure why yet.