Lag/CPU Usage Spike when Changing Volume when using AirPods

This is a bit of a specific situation but starting perhaps a few months ago, pre-Ventura even, when I change the volume while connected to AirPods, there is considerable lag between button press, on-screen volume UI, and then actual volume change. This behavior does not exist when changing the volume with headphones plugged into the audio jack, or with just the bare speakers. Taking a look at the system usage during volume changes, there appear to be a handful of processes related to Continuity, Bluetooth etc that all get hammered at the same time. Also, the fact that the system slows down significantly enough during a single-increment change in volume illustrates how agonizingly slow things become during this.


I am on a 2021 MacBook Pro M1 Pro 14" on Ventura 13.3.1


AirPods Version A2031 Firmware Version 5E133 (most up to date as of this posting, and always has been throughout this ordeal).


This is an example of the processes that spike in usage during the slowdown when changing the volume. Not included in the offenders are some others like I mentioned before that are like Continuity Daemon and Bluetooth Daemons. At one point the main Daemon that was the worst and most consistent offender was Microsoft Teams Audio Daemon, but I uninstalled that since I don't use it anymore. But the problem persists with the other ones I mention.


I have already un and re-paired the AirPods to this Mac, and also reset them entirely but to no avail. Fixing this would be cool.


MacBook Pro (2021)

Posted on Apr 28, 2023 1:24 PM

Reply

Similar questions

28 replies

Oct 30, 2023 6:16 AM in response to SpiritLobster

M1 Pro 14-inch 2021 here too.


I thought it was only an issue when I had my bluetooth headphones connected and adjusting the volume while watching youtube, but it's also happening without any device connected via bluetooth. I have looked at the activity monitor before because I was scared there's something suspicious, but when I saw this post and was monitoring the CPU while adjusting the volume, I saw the spike too.


I press the volume up/down 3/4 times and see the bar dots jump 3/4 dots at a time after a few ms from pressing them.


Strange that there hasn't been a fix for this yet. It's really annoying.

Nov 3, 2023 7:31 AM in response to SpiritLobster

Happening to me for a long time. After googling and reading all the comments, I came to the conclusion that it happens for all Apple Silicone Macs, not only M1 or M2. And there is no evidence it does not occur on Intel Macs. It happens for multiple OS versions, not only in Ventura or Sonoma. Nothing except reboot helps, but even that only solves the issue temporarily. No SMC or PRAM reset helps. No Bluetooth connections are needed, but any Bluetooth device worsens the problem exponentially. It might be related to the Continuity feature of MacOS, like trying to sync the volume across your other devices or something like that.

It's indeed a ridiculous issue for the modern computer. It makes my M1 Mac performance comparable to a pre-Intel Mac, like PowerPC G5. Apple should honestly declare that Mac performance depends on your luck and is somewhere in the range of -1000% to 110% of prior Intel generation.

Nov 9, 2023 9:39 AM in response to SpiritLobster

This is especially bad in my case. If I hit the volume-up button once, not only is there lag but it acts as if the key is stuck and sends the volume to the maximum value. If I don't notice, I am treated to eardrum-splitting sound shortly thereafter.


This has been going on for months. It's unfortunate and frustrating. Using Air Pods used to be such a solid experience.

Nov 13, 2023 1:41 AM in response to SpiritLobster

I've had this problem with the M1 Mac mini for over a year. A couple of times, I discussed with Apple Support this problem. They collected some logs, screenshots, and screen recordings. After that, they escalated the issue to the engineering department. They answered that the problem was based on the user account and advised me to re-install the OS.


The main problem is I've also M1 and M2 Macbook Airs with the same apps installed. I've no problem with them while using my AirPods Pro 2. I re-installed the OS on my Mac mini, but the problem persisted. I deleted all settings and content, and the result is that I'm still having this problem.


Since my primary job is video editing, working with Mac mini with AirPods is a serious problem. Unfortunately, Apple Support didn't help me properly.


This is simply unacceptable.

Lag/CPU Usage Spike when Changing Volume when using AirPods

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.