Lag/CPU Usage Spike when Changing Volume when using AirPods

So, I did some light testing and I can reliably create and worsen the issue by connecting and reconnecting my AirPods.

The issue does not relate to having them connected, but rather the act of disconnecting does not fully release all resources on the Mac. So that every time you increase / decrease volume the Mac tries to do something with the now disconnected AirPods and fails, and then goes on to the next device.

I'm thinking something along the lines of this pseudo-code:

func increase_volume()
 // sound_devices_uid being some kind of enumeration of devices the OS thinks is connected
 foreach (uid in sound_devices_uid):
  // get a handle for the device and ask for necessary access from OS etc 
  dev = try_get_device(uid, timeout:200ms)
  if dev: 
   dev.increase_volume()
 // outside loop
 show_volume_increased_symbol_on_screen()

Now, I have no idea how MacOS enumerates and handles sound devices internally, so I'm doing what is known as a semi-qualified guess :-)

I am facing the same problem since first updating from Ventura to Sonoma.

Recently updated to Sonoma 14.1.2 and the problem is still there.

For example when using Slack if I get invited to a huddle (audio call) and I connect my AirPods (put them in my ears), in the exact moment of doing so the whole system freezes / stutters for 3-4 seconds, it is really annoying.

This happens with all applications, though.

I dunno. maybe reinstall your OS?

Same here on MBPro M1Max on Sonoma.

Changing volume, anything the produces audio like system sounds produces huge lags and cpu spikes.

Reboot helps for a while.

For me too, but only for a few days. The temporary fix is probably not related to the update per se, but to the fact that we restarted the Mac to update it. Usually restart fixes it for a few days.

This issue was fixed for me by upgrading the OS back in December.

Tons a processes go up when changing volume. Does not matter if using Mac MIni Headphone jack, Bluetooth Airpods etc. Also get Continuity Camera process using high CPU when changing volume after I have already diabled it. I Forced quit that process and other also no change, more keep coming.

Not sure what is causing the trouble, on Mac OS 13.3.1

Anyone managed to fix this?

I can reliably reproduce the issue with both generic bluetooth headphones and AirPods, and a bit less reliably so using my iPhone as microphone / camera (for example on FaceTime calls).

Same issue here. Any change in audio causes the computer to slow to a crawl. It is really bad when I use AirPods, but it also happens when I am not using them. Restart fixes for a day or two.

[Edited by Moderator]

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.

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.

Massive lag spike whenever changing system volume. 14" 2021 M1 Pro, started happening after upgrading from Big Sur -> Sonoma.

Not just a bluetooth issue - happened when BT disconnected and using laptop speakers. Also happens whenever I change system volume, change sound output device;

I don't know if this is related, but my Apple Music app on my Mac crashes once or twice a week. It seems to happen more when things are getting laggy. Does that happen to others as well? Wondering if the two issues are related.

For me this is not related to bluetooth. It also happens with bluetooth turned off. Just adjusting the volume of the internal speakers causes lag spikes, basically anything audio related. Changing audio devices, adjusting volume, starting audio playback, starting or ending a voice call... Lag spikes range from 0,5-1 seconds when adjusting volume to 3-5 seconds when starting a voice / video call.

2021 M1 Pro 14" 32GB Sonoma 14.1.2

Same problem here. I've noticed it for many months. Everyone here that is saying I upgraded this or that and the problem goes away, is it truly going away, or is it because upgrading forced a reboot, thereby "solving" the problem temporarily? So far the most plausible explanation has been that the OS is hanging on to resources, which compound over time, until a reboot. This issue is so annoying that I don't even want to change my volume. M1 Pro, 16GB Sonoma 14.2.1