volume fluctuation on macbook air

I dont think your macbook is bugged.... at least i don't think it's anything hardware related. I have the wifi issue and the volume issue as well, but wifi is fine at home, and the volume only fluctuates in browser, and not in itunes or vlc or anything yet...

I don't want to go to any Genius bar or Apple store because i still believe this will all be sorted out trough software updates, but the fact that apple does not respond in any way, shape or form simply makes my blood boil. It's really annoying to not get any confirmation on this. Should we be worried about getting new units, or is this software related. The fact that we don't reseave any feedback on this forum is really annoying to me.

It's simply arrogance not to acknowledge the wifi issue at this point. Just look at the number of people watching the wifi issues topics and do the math. Volume fluctuation topics also get a significant amount of views.

@Jinn - You need to keep up on your issues:

Apple working on wifi issues for Macbook Air 2013

http://www.macrumors.com/2013/06/29/apple-testing-software-update-to-address-201 3-macbook-air-wi-fi-issues/

And if you read through this thread, you would see that AppleCare contacted me directly, simply because I posted on this forum. As of early this week, they were asking to send a new macbook to me, so they could have my hardware with the volume fluctuation issue. They are VERY much interested in fixing any issues on their new Air models.

Next time, remember that living on the bleeding edge means you have to bleed sometimes ;o) Also, Call Apple instead of complaining on this forum - your Air is under warranty and will be fixed or replaced. No need to get snippy because no one called you personally.

This: "Apple does not specify in its invitation exactly what problem the software update is designed to address, it presumably focuses on the connection issues being reported by users." is simply arrogance.

As for the part where you state i should go to a genius bar, i walked into the dutch apple store and pretty much got told that they never heard of the wifi issue before. This was 2 weeks after release. And i guess i don't receive a phonecall because the dutch appstore is not connected to this forum.

As for your suggestion to get in contact with Apple: I would get in contact with apple this very day if they only would clarify if our problems are hardware or software related. If you truly believe that they don't know, then I rest my case.

Sorry you are so frustrated. This issue is regarding volume fluctuations and not the well known wifi issue in the 2013 MacBook Airs. Please refer to those discussions, or call the Apple Support line (the Genius Bar is not Apple Support - close, but not always aware of the latest issues as you experienced). Best of luck to you.

@PlotinusVeritas - sorry, I don't think anyone should throw $6.99US for BOOM to "find out". We should not need to spend $$ to fix an issue with OS X, when it shouldn't be there in the first place.

If someone already owns this software, and can report if it does anything specific to this issue, let us know. Thanks!

I purchases my macbook air 13' last week and has the same problem. Contacted apple care and they made me go through various steps and they told me it wasnt a software issue. Suggested its a hardware issue and that i should go to an Apple store and get a replacement. I went yesterday and got my replacement and it has the same volume fluctuation issue. We tested out all the display models they had in store and they had the same issue. So the guy just advised me to wait for a firmware update. I was also offered a full refund but I didnt take it because I feel like this issue should be resolved with an update. If not and its a hardware issue, its still covered under warranty so I toook my chances because I love my macbook air so much. :)

I just thought I would add a little information pertaining to my situation to this conversation.

I purchased a new 2013 Haswell MacBook Air approximately 5 days ago from the US Apple Online Store. I am a Canadian citizen but had a US gift card given to me, so I arranged to have my Air shipped to an address in the United States.

I discovered the speaker problem with my MacBook Air a few days ago while watching Netflix and Youtube on Safari. Since that time I have contacted Apple support who seems to believe that this is a hardware issue and has advised me the best option is to have my MacBook Air replaced with a new unit.

There is however one big problem. Apple support insists that ship all items relating to the return (return shipping label, and replacement MacBook Air) to the US address I picked it up at. That address is a 6 HOUR DRIVE away from me. There is now way that I can drive there to ship the computer back, and then drive there again to pick up the replacement unit.

I wish they could just handle this replacing my MacBook Air using the Canadian address where I live. I am really frustrated to say the least and I'm not sure what my options are at this point. This is the 3rd MacBook I have purchased in the last three years and I had really hoped that Apple would be more accomodating.

I am playing with my new unit for a couple hours. I checked the same videos which i had problem with my faulty MBA and in the new unit i have no volume drops and no cracking sound. Its crystal clear 🙂

Guys go get replacement units ASAP!!!!!

Hi guys, unfortunately i'm having the same problem as yourself and by the sound of it this seems to be a hardware problem, so i'm leaning towards getting a replacement unit.

My question is: what do you tell the people in the store? the reason i'm asking is that, in my case the issue is very hard to replicate on command, it just happense out of nowhere and i have now way of proving, that i'm telling the truth.

I've tried the posted link to the iTunes match video and it runs fine.

What to do?, what to do? 😕

Hey @DjTaurus, does it still work ok with your new unit? Can you confirm that replacement actually helped?

Some people here say it doesn't.

It's sad, I'm having the same issue =(

I'm having the same "different audio levels" when I watch online videos on the internet.

The sound is good, but the Fluctuation is very annoying.

I have a brand new macbook air i7 with 8ram shipped the end of June.

Please Apple, come with a software update please.

I have noticed similar volume fluctuations while using my new i7 mba to stream video in web browsers. The fluctuations occur at the same points in the video feed. Apple tech suggested using different web browser, updating flash, using a different user, and doing a reinstall of the os. None corrected the issue. Fluctuations do not occur when using headphones or when using an older pc laptop.

Problem persists:

with/without ac power

across various browsers (safari, firefox, chrome)

across various websites (netflix, dailyshow, cbsnews)

Received call back from tech support and was advised to make an appointment at local apple store to have a stress test done on the graphics card as volume fluctuations as described may indicate a hardware issue. Will update with any new info.

HI Shawn,

I have the same issue under the same conditions.

But, I not think it's a hardware issue, because I have not noticed this issue on Spotify.

When I do a stress test by meself on the CPU with Terminal command: yes > /dev/null

Nothing stranges is happend.

Will be continued...

I have also not noticed the problem while listening to music either in itunes or iheartradio. I only notice it when the audio contains dialogue like interviews, tv shows, and podcasts. The main reason that it may be hardware based is because the problem doesn't occur when using headphones. The volume seems to drop off from normal levels when there is slight pause in the dialogue or the speaker is changed.

Posting this, so Apple knows there is one more person with this issue.

I have a brand new 13" Macbook Air (Haswell) and I also get the volume going up and down, while watching any web videos over the internal speakers. I'm wondering if this will be fixed with a software update or is simply a design flaw. Is a speaker cable misplaced?