Static noise coming from Headphones when using Macbook Pro charger

I did a lot of searching and found one suggested solution online (it didn't fix it completely based off their instruction) which allowed me to eliminate the static about 99%.

If you go to Applications>Utlities>Audio MIDI Setup

I was able to mess around with the settings for the headphones and it made the static mostly go away.

I chose "Format - 96kHz" and 2Ch-20 bit Integer. That's the best one for me. When a track gets REALLY quite, I can still sometimes hear a moment of static, but it is MUCH better than it was.

I am not sure on the technical side, for those you edit audio and video, what kind of quality this may eliminate, but for me, I just listen to iTunes and videos on ESPN, it is much more enjoyable now.

Mess around with the different combinations for you (and your specific headphones) and hopefully you'll find an optimal setting.

I hope this helps some people. Felt like I was listening to a mix tape from the 80s with the static.

I have exactly the same problem except I'm using a late-2009 13 inch Macbook (not Pro) and both the old adapter and the new one I just bought are L-style (60W)

Whenever I plug the adapter in I can hear a hissing static noise through my headphone, if I remove it, the noise is gone. Also, there's no such noise when I'm using my old adapter, so this must be the problem with the new Magsafe itself.

Having the same problem. This ist he first time it's happening.

MacBook Pro Late 2011

The sound stops when my hands are toching the areas near the trackpad..

Hope this helps some of you, what solved my issue was the following,

Open Terminal

type cd /Library/Preferences/Audio and press Enter

type ls and press Enter

you should see two files, com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist and com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist

type sudo rm com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist and press Enter it will prompt you for your password

type sudo rm com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist and press Enter

this will delete the audio settings for your OS

type sudo killall coreaudiod and press Enter

that will restart the audio system and all should be working now, at least, it did for me.

I think I may have just found a solution to this problem and it's very simple. I too bought a 3rd party charger because Apple charging $100 for an AC adapter is just ridiculous in my opinion. I can buy a cheap laptop for that price.

I had 2 AC adapters noticed that only the new one I purchased had this problem. I tried many things like swapping the prongs, none of it worked.

Then I inspected the adapter again. When you take off the prong attachment there is a metal rod that holds it in place (see picture). It's hard to see with the naked eye, but upon further inspection and feeling with my finger, I noticed it didn't feel quite metal. That's when I noticed there was a thin plastic film covering it.

I simply peeled off the plastic and reattached the prong.

Viola, the static noise was gone. Not sure if it'll work for everyone here, but it definitely worked for me. Just wanted to share my experience in hopes that it helps someone else out.

I can also confirm the same problem. I have a late 2011 Macbook Pro 13". My original Magsafe died and I bought an aftermarket one, which works fine charging the thing. However, the static noise in the headphones jack starts to build up after charging the Mac for some time.

So far the only solution I found is to briefly disconnect the charger from the Macbook until the static noise is gone and then replugging it. It is quite annoying, but not as much as having a constant static buzz in your years 🙂

I would gladly welcome a more sustainable solution to this problem.

I have the same problem with my Macbook pro retina late 2013.

It is static but the strangest thing is that the noise is still there even if the charger is not connected to power.

Hope someone can come up with a solution to this problem thanks in advance.

I am also having this problem. I have a late 2011 Macbook Pro, for which I bought a new charger a few months ago. The static doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, it's quite loud. Like another user mentioned, the only thing that makes the static become quieter is placing my hands on either side of the trackpad.

I tried the suggested fix in Audi MIDI Setup, but it didn't help. Has anyone else found a solution?

Hi gcarrascal,

I've experienced the same problem with all the aftermarket chargers I bought for the Mac. As far as I can interpret the problem, it's a hardware thing...probably the unoriginal chargers don't charge properly and create static electricity that reaches the headphones jack 😟. The only way around it is to get your original charger from an Apple store. There's also a cheeper way around it. If the problem with your original charger is just the cable just have the cable replaced (try a local shop that specialises in this kind of repairs).

I hope this helps. I certainly did help me 😉

Here is what I've found. I am a Dj and I can NOT have this noise while doing gigs. It has taken me quite a bit of time to work through this but what I've done is added a simple "external usb audio card" and my nosie is now gone. It cost me $9.99 and a trip through >Preferences >Sound> select the sound card for output.

This has been driving me crazy and I've tried anti-hum and ground loop blockers, 3 prongers, two prongers, etc. etc.

I found mine at Micro Center but they are at many places. You do NOT need the $99 and up sound cards at Guitar Center.

May I add, I have had this problem since day one with my brand new Macbook Pro. Brand new charger that came with it. I also bought another charger, from Applestore just to have a back up and to see if it was the charger but alas, this did not solve my problemo either.

Anyway, I hope this helps others 🙂

Return or discard the charger immediately, and contact Apple and make them aware of the issue.

The noise stops when you place your hands near the trackpad, because your body is grounding electrical interference in your computer caused by the charger.
If the problem in the charger circuitry worsens you could end up grounding a lethal amount of electricity.

Hey I have a fix.

I have a 2010 15" MBP. Just bought a replacement charger because my old one was fried. Noticed static from the speakers when charger was plugged in. So I switched up the little plug on the charger (with the one from my old charger). Im talking about the part that actually plugs in to the power (the little removable piece on the charger). Now if I use my older plug or even my older extension cable; voila! No static 🙂. Hope it helps.

Spot on to Joel Lesleighter's comment!!!

I experienced identical problems with a new magsafe charger (official apple one, nonetheless). Additionally, the static would drastically dissipate when touching areas around the trackpad. I took it to an authorized dealer/repairer and they said the magsafe was, indeed, faulty and that it was a smart move to go ahead an disconnect the charger.

Don't fry your $1,300 computer by using an after-market charger to save $20 or $30. It's just not worth it.

Again, thanks Joel for keying me in on the potential damage. You may have saved me a lot of heartache. Cheers!🙂

I'm experiencing the same problem. When the AC mag safe is plugged in, there is a static buzz on my headphones. When I remove the magsafe connection, the noise goes away. That tells me its the magsafe AC power.

I tried the kill core audio thing on the last post but it didn't work. While it's nice to know I can by an intermediary device or filter, that doesn't satisfy me.

After spending $2,200 on a new 2015 MBP, I consider it a design flaw when a plugged in macbook (using OEM Apple Magsafe power supply) generates noise on it's headphone output. Is the macbook pro no longer the elite device for audio and video? Or was I just confused in thinking that it was?

i had the same issue. it led me to believe it was the power adapter. then i eliminated an extension i was using on my headphone jack, and the humm buzz sound was gone. (i tried the terminal fix and the audio midi setup app thing)