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usb-c headphone adapter clicking static. Brand new iPad Pro 11” M1

Hello. I have the apple brand USB-c to headphone jack adapter. When I connect my wired headphones to my new iPad Pro 11” M1, I get clicking static even when on the Home Screen and nothing playing. Volume buttons do not affect the sound and rebooting made no difference. I have expensive Sennhauser headphones and they do not make clicking static on any other device. Is it a faulty Apple adapter dongle, or is my new $1300 iPad a piece of junk?


Lonnie

iPad, iPadOS 14

Posted on May 29, 2021 12:49 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 1, 2021 1:24 AM

I figured it out. The headphones I was using had a cable designed for a headset with a microphone. The end of the headphone jack has 3 black rings instead of two rings like a normal left right stereo headphone. The connector with the 3 rings causes the connection issue and static pulsing. I went and grabbed a new cable (with only 2 rings on the connector) from my headphones to the Apple headphone adapter, and it works perfect. I guess the apple USB-c dongle doesn’t understand the three ring headset with microphone connector. Problem solved. For me anyways.

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24 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 1, 2021 1:24 AM in response to Anorgo

I figured it out. The headphones I was using had a cable designed for a headset with a microphone. The end of the headphone jack has 3 black rings instead of two rings like a normal left right stereo headphone. The connector with the 3 rings causes the connection issue and static pulsing. I went and grabbed a new cable (with only 2 rings on the connector) from my headphones to the Apple headphone adapter, and it works perfect. I guess the apple USB-c dongle doesn’t understand the three ring headset with microphone connector. Problem solved. For me anyways.

May 29, 2021 3:00 AM in response to LonnieFoodikoff

Several similar reports have been seen here - and all relate to the 11” M1. You might be best advised to seek assistance directly from Apple Support.


You will find the Get Support link at top-right of this page. Alternatively, you can open a support case using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed on your iPad, it can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/apple-support/id1130498044



May 31, 2021 6:49 PM in response to LonnieFoodikoff

Hello, I write from Spain. The same thing or something very similar happens to me. I also have an 11-inch iPad Pro M1. I have tried two apple adapters and both fail. They work at first, but after a while there is interference and sound cuts. The sound in the videos also sounds out of step at times. If I disconnect the adapter and headphones, the sound comes out correctly from the device's speakers. A few days ago I communicated it to apple support. I was thinking of requesting the device change. After reading your message and the response, I start to think that it may be a general problem.

Jun 1, 2021 4:17 PM in response to Anorgo

I just got off the phone with Apple support. They ran diagnostics on my iPad. He put me on hold for 5 min and came back and said the iPad is fine. The static is a “known issue” on the 11” m1 and will be fixed in the next software update. So that’s where it is for now. I guess we just need to live with it until iOS 14.7 or whatever the next update is.

Jun 1, 2021 4:35 PM in response to LonnieFoodikoff

And if you get no audio at all and just clicking, That’s because you are using a headphone plug with the 3 rings on it which has a microphone channel. Apparently not compatable currently with the Apple headphone adapter. Maybe they can fix that also. I solved that issue with a new stereo headphone cable with the 2 black rings on the Jack. Just the audio still starts to cut out after a half hour or so.

Jul 30, 2021 10:02 AM in response to LonnieFoodikoff

I also have the same problem. I have 3 iPads; iPad pro 12.9 1st gen, iPad pro 3rd gen and and an iPad air 3rd. I am a professional musician using the iPads to play backing tracks. The iPad pro 3rd gen and the iPad air have separate power and audio plug ins. No problems. The problem occurs when I use a USB-C to 3.5 audio doggle with my iPad pro 3rd gen. I have experienced disruption of play back using the doggle. The interruption ranges from pops to static buzzes. I have used 3 different doggles, 3 different audio cables and 3 different speakers. The problem occurs in each substitution. The iPad has no issues playing through blue tooth. The problem doesn't always happen right away. I had one instance when it did happen at the beginning of a performance. I turned the doggle around and that solved the problem for 1.5 hours, then the problem started again. I've had the iPad pro 3 gen replaced once already. Usually it's after 1 hour of playing time that I notice the disruption in audio.

Aug 4, 2021 4:23 AM in response to LonnieFoodikoff

I have the same problem with new IPad Air. I switched my headphones and bought a second apple branded dongle but the same problem. If I unplug and the plug the headphones, it solves the problem until it happens again. I’m guessing it’s a problem with the dongle since it doesn’t happen with AirPods. Apple must have skimped on testing or in manufacturing of the dongle.

usb-c headphone adapter clicking static. Brand new iPad Pro 11” M1

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