Macbook Pro 13-inch 2020 speakers crackling and distorting sound

I gave up and returned my laptop / exchanged for a new one (I only had the original for all of two weeks). A new laptop shouldn't have any of these issues requiring end-users to input terminal commands, etc, no matter if it's a software issue or a hardware issue. Apple is obviously shipping out defective laptops judging by the number of people reporting this same issue. I now have a new one, and so far....one week in....no issues whatsoever.

I think I've had my replacement MacBook for about 3 or 4 weeks now and so far no problem with the sound on this one. Hoping it stays that way. But question...

When you say you're just missed your return window, do you mean 14 days or 45? Just checking, as Apple extended the return window due to COVID, from the usual 14 days to a full 45, as far as I know. But if you're over 45 days, then yeah, may need to look for other fixes.

I bought my 2020 13 inch MacBook Pro Back in July and within the first two weeks the audio would distort at least once almost daily. Restarting either the program or the system worked every time but I shared the same sentiment that a lot of you have... why is this happening to my brand new laptop. So I went through the exchange process as the Apple support folks I worked with really had no solutions to offer other than to redownload OS. Now I have my replacement and it’s doing the exact same thing, which makes me think this is a very widespread issue. Don’t know where to go from here but it’s disappointing they haven’t been able to provide answers.

Yes, same issue as well. I will try the command next time I have the issue, but its happened 3 times now with a restart resolving it. Agreed its software based, but Apple need to sort this. We shouldn't have to be restarting or run a command line to correct it. Technically if its a fault even with the software the product doesn't meet its purpose and needs resolution.

Thanks Blokzeit for the command :)

Hi gpress64:

1) Open your Spotlight Search on your Mac > type in "Terminal"> "return"

2) A black window should open and this is where you paste in:

sudo launchctl stop com.apple.audio.coreaudiod && sudo launchctl start com.apple.audio.coreaudiod

followed by return to submit the command

3) You will be prompted for your computer password. Enter it, followed by "return" to submit it.

You should be able to open a new session to test the audio again without restart. Mine was gone then came back for a few seconds (thought the command didn't work) but then it stabilized :)

Hope this helps!

Hi, I have same issue, same model: MacBook Pro 13 2020. I think is related with heat! When I compile my iOS App and machine burn the issue happens. I notice now, the issue started, my machine was about 90 degrees... I close all programs and sound back to normal!

I have the exact same issue, it happens more often after macOS returns from sleep.

I have an external monitor always connected, and somehow this also seems to be related to this issue.

The command to restart coreaudiod seems to work. Which tells us this is a software bug.

Please Apple, fix your mess.

I've been having this issue recurrently, it's unacceptable to have something like this.

I have noticed that it happens when the machine is under load, running a lot applications/tasks all at once.

Closing some of the applications does help, but not always viable/works.

From my experience, restarting fixes it, as does the command line.

Lets hope Big Sur fixes this issue!

same problem and in my case i found out that the crackles happen when i use sparkAr software or other 3d stuff like blender and when i render or use cycles ... also i can hear my drive or fan sooo loud always wanna give back this

I am a blind VoiceOver user who depends upon stable audio output to manage my MBP. This has been an issue since a week after I purchased this machine in the summer. I have spent many hours communicating directly with Apple Support, executing the tests they requested, providing sysdiagnose traces, and dproviding critical details as to the problem. These hours were wasted. I created an alias in terminal to kill/reload coreaudiod so at least I am no longer rebooting in the midst of a project. I am very fond of this little laptop, and would not have anticipated the dismissive behavior Apple has exhibited. I also have indications from this thread that updating to BigSur would be unlikely to resolve the matter. I have considered wiping the disk and rebuilding from the ground up, although I doubt this would resolve the matter. I certainly hope Apple gets its act together. It is most disappointing.

I have the same issue with my Macbook Pro 13-inch 2020. Speakers randomly crackle (with Music, Youtube, etc).

I think the problem appeared with Big Sur. I installed the 11.1 update but nothing change. I tried the following command whitout success :

sudo launchctl stop com.apple.audio.coreaudiod && sudo launchctl start com.apple.audio.coreaudiod

I formated and reinstalled the last version of Big Sur, the issue is still here... I hope it's a software problem and next update sovle it.

I've contacted Apple Support about this issue, they were unaware of it and they've asked me to try to reproduce it and report back to them.

Basically I was asked to create a new admin user and with that account try to reproduce the issue, so that they are sure it's not something that I've installed on my usual account that is causing it. Only then they will escalate it to the engineering team.

The problem is that it happens randomly to me. I have no way of reproducing this issue. I've told them about that fact, but still they need to be sure before sending it to the engineering team.

Did any of you find the steps to reproduce it?

If we don't have a consistent way of reproducing this issue, I'm pretty sure it will never get fixed because the engineering team won't be able to reproduce it either.

For the record. I have wasted hours with Apple Support over this issue over the past several months. I have sent them sysdiagnose traces when the problem was taking place and a great deal more. I have gotten nowhere. ^Their final recommendation was to start fresh and copy each folder and file from a TimeMachine backup. This invitation I declined. Then, I did a bit further research on coreaudiod problems and learnthe that problems with this exist on a number of Apples MBPso over the recent years. It takes different forms. On some the audio simply stops, others are more like what you deschdescribe which is similar to my own problems. I absolutely do not believe Apple is unaware of these issues. I now have an AppleScript on my desktop that restarts coreaudiod in a similar manner to force kill from the activity monitor. This at least allows me to fix the thing on the fly. I am done wasting hours on the phone with Apple. I am furious considering the money I spent. This is a fantastic machine, when, the audio is not breaking up. I wish you the best.

Hi I can reproduce it ... try spark Ar it’s a free software to create facefilter when I run a empty project the crackeking starts directly starts and when I render in blender scene at some point the same ...

i am also having a super loud fan touching the cover ... and I can tell it’s because the laptop bends ... After 15 years of Apple love I slowly wanna break up ...

@sender123 I've tried reproducing the issue by running Spark AR studio, as you mentioned, without success.

So this confirms once more the random nature of the issue.

Once again, if we can't find a consistent way of reproducing this, I'm pretty sure it will never get fixed, unfortunately.