Q: iPad 4 speakers make crackling noise on keystrokes

Argh. Mine didn't do it again until tonight and then it started again. I reset and the problem went away but I'm not sure how to bring it in to Apple to replicate.

Mine does this about once a week. A reboot fixes it but its still very inconvenient.

Just a thought... I resolved this problem for a colleague by restarting his iPad.

Reading comments here, however, suggests that this isn't a permanent fix. While checking the preference settings I noticed that the user had Skype connected (though not in use), as well as PhotoStream.

I wonder if these "connections" are affecting the sound. I know Skype can slow things down on the iPad if it is on constantly... as well as draining the battery more quickly than usual. The FaceBook app may be a culprit also.

So... you can turn Skpe and PhotoStream off in Settings (I don't use FaceBook so I cannot comment on this) , but it may also be a good idea to double-click the home button so that the Dock of active apps appears at the bottom of the screen. Then click and hold down on one of the active app icons until they shake and acquire a minus symbol in a red circle in the top left corner. Click the minus symbol to shut down the app completely... and wait to see if the crackling audio returns.

I hope this helps.

I am having the same issue.  It happened intermittently for a while right after I got my iPad 4 (-- it never happened with the iPad 2 with a screen protector).  I had not experienced the issue for months, and then it started again this morning. My main concern is that the static sound is harming my iPad.  I am wondering if perhaps there is something on my fingers or on the screen that is triggering the problem. I just wiped the screen with a microfiber cloth, and it seems to be a bit better now. Who know? It's so random that  it is difficult to track down.

I'm having the same problem, it goes away then it comes back a different day.

Same problem here. iPad is 25 days old. I can recreate by going to settings and while in landscape, turn the Lock sound off and back on. There is a crackle after the lock sound is played.

Same problem occurring with my iPad. I can replicate it using Chris' method above, but only the once then it stopped. I found closing all my apps got rid of the sound.

I have the same issue. The sound is coming from the power adapter input. Doesn't sound good to me, don't think it's a software issue either. Would like to know if anyone finds a solution, thanks!

And same hehe on my "new" iPad. First noticed few days ago. Now happenes again usually when I receive a message on Facebook along with the pop sound.

I'm having the same problem.  However, mine didn't start until after I did a complete reset and restore at the request of the Apple Store.  I was having battery charging issues and they said it was from a bad downloaded app.  So after their suggestion, I now get the snapping crackling noise:(

I Had the same problem yesterday and this morning I have since charged the battery and it seems to be ok now. It is for sure static and therefore think that my rubberized Knomo has something to do with it. Static build ?

Literally got this problem today. After much online research, can't seem to find a solution. Called tech support and was pitched the $79 extended warranty. I asked if this was even an issue that could be solved over the phone (ie would I ultimately have to take it into a store anyway?) and she ASSURED me it could be solved over the phone. Can you believe that she spent over 5 mins on the phone with me but wouldn't release this top-secret info to me even after I dropped money for a 32gb retina iPad?!?! Even White House secrets aren't guarded this closely! What has this world come to?

I noticed it only happens to me when I have my sound alert setting to maximum. Each time I lowered my sound alerts just slightly below max, the crackling sound went away. Hope this fixes your issue! :)

So I would have to download an app to fix the crackling sound problem on the iPad.  Is that the fix?