MacBook speakers popping/crackling

Question

Level 1

4 points

MacBook speakers popping/crackling

My M3 Macbook Pro internal speakers crackle/pop when I play music from the Spotify app. Nothing significant is running when this happens. I'm usually playing music while reading when it does.

I've already:

checked for updates
restarted in safe mode
ensured the Spotify app is for Apple Silicon and reinstalled it anyway
changed speaker format to 48 000Hz in Audio MIDI Setup
run audio diagnostics
repeatedly run in Terminal:


sudo rm /Library/Preferences/Audio/com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist
sudo rm /Library/Preferences/Audio/com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist
sudo killall coreaudio

and restarted.

Nothing works. The crackle returns every time. My Macbook is well past its warranty. This is a very common problem judging by the number of reports online. What is the permanent fix?

MacBook Pro 14″

Posted on Sep 22, 2026 3:56 AM

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Answer 1

leroydouglas

Level 10

207,330 points

Sep 22, 2026 10:05 AM in response to cairns272

cairns272 wrote:

• My M3 Macbook Pro internal speakers crackle/pop when I play music from the Spotify app. Nothing significant is running when this happens. I'm usually playing music while reading when it does.

Nothing works. The crackle returns every time. My Macbook is well past its warranty. This is a very common problem judging by the number of reports online. What is the permanent fix?

—if this is isolated to one single third party app I would query there support... or use a different app if no resolve

For your third party app—if in doubt search the developers website or contact their: Support/Help/FAQ/Known issues/compatibility/updates

Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support

— you can try reinstalling the macOS on top of the existing macOS from Recovery

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

—You can try firmware revive, if no change you can try firmware restore (restore wipes all data) ...

ref: How to revive or restore Mac firmware

How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support

if no change or you need assistance—

In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Outside the USA

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

you can Call Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)

Outside the USA—Contact Apple for support and service by phone

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Sep 22, 2026 6:28 PM in response to cairns272

Do you have the same issue when using headphones? If not, then there may be a hardware issue with the internal speakers. It won't be a free repair except under warranty, so you will need to pay up for out of warranty repairs unless Apple has a free repair program. The publicly acknowledged free repair programs can be found here:

Apple Service Programs - Apple Support

Audio issues can be caused by connected devices as well, especially if they happen to be on separate electrical circuits, or the other device(s) have poor wiring/grounding. Disconnect all external devices to see if that makes any difference. Also try the audio while the laptop is running on battery power to completely eliminate electrical issues contributing to the problem.

Try booting into Safe Mode to see if that makes any difference. If the sound/speakers are fine while booted into Safe Mode, then you have some third party software installed which is interfering with the normal operation of macOS.

Keep in mind some audio based software can install & modify the macOS audio chain even when you are not actively using those apps. If you have those types of apps installed, then one of them may be causing a problem.

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