FaceTime making strange clicking sound since OS X 10.10

N3vn wrote:

FaceTime audio issue is caused by the headphone jack. Whenever this is used and then you try to use either internal speakers or BT headphones, the audio issues occur.

Can we get a poll from the users on this post experiencing issues with FaceTime having popping and clicking noises when you try to make a call either with FaceTime or via Continuity with your iPhone:

What is your rationale for this conclusion, that the headphone jack is the reason for FaceTime sound failure? How have you tested this root cause?
I will also point out that I have not been using headphone jack when this issue has occurred, so I cannot agree that the headphone jack is the root cause of the popping.

Your suggestion to create a poll here in not recommended. I do not want to receive notifications for each and every new "poll result" that everyone will be sending to this forum thread. If people are mindless enough to start posting your "poll answers", I will be forced to stop following this thread.

JanRL,

I spent over an hour testing it on my MBP yesterday. I also spent over an hour with an Apple technician via remote log-in to my system 2 days ago. From both testing scenarios, I was able to consistently reproduce the problem by either using the headphone jack or allowing the MBP to go into SLEEP mode on its own or by closing the clamshell. This information has been shared and documented with Apple to hopefully help them find the root cause and provide a fix.

My intention is not to create extra update traffic for you or other users via this post. I think you would agree this is a very frustrating issue for many people as evidenced by this post and several others on this subject. My intent was to try to identify if other people were also either using the headphone jack or putting the computer to sleep on its own or with closing the lid to see if indeed this seems to be the common scenario(s) initiating the problem. The majority of the responses on this thread have merely confirmed there is some audio issue with FaceTime in Yosemite but have offered no possible cause or way to avoid it other than doing a complete system re-boot. I am merely trying to identify what may actually trigger the issue so people will know what to do to avoid the problem until Apple issues a fix.

I'm about to give up on Yosemite and go back to Mavericks. On top of the FaceTime issue that Apple is apparently not going to fix, both my computers randomly become unresponsive for various reasons causing me to use a Force Reboot.

It's ironic. The two reasons I decided to try Apple computers in the first place, is because of FaceTime and operating system stability. Apparently Apple doesn't consider those two things to be priorities anymore. These days, I see less and less reason to stick with OS X over Microsoft.

Some of the posts on this very long string are obviously by hard core users with vast knowledge and experience with computers, and Mac products in particular. Rather than do PRAM resets (admission: I had to look up PRAM ... "duh", after I relieved my ignorance) and all that other troubleshooting I've read about, I'm going to trust Apple to make it work how it should. They've earned some "benefit of the doubt" here, as well as time. I realize that's relative for everyone. After years of frustration with Windows, which I still get at work, it'll have to get much worse before I abandon Apple.

Linux, anyone?

That said... and I understand everyone's frustration, since updating to Yosemite, my MBP (purchased late 2010) has slowed, which, ironically, reminds me of my PC days. However, referring to the problem that kicked off this thread, the last two times I used FT it worked fine - the only thing I did, which I always do, is shut down after use.

Haven't encountered a Force Reboot situation... yet. Hope I do not.

It'll have to get much worse before I go back to Windows products.

-Greg.

I was in touch with AppleCare about this very same issue. The senior advisor had me collect some data (capture?) and submit it. I was supposed to get a phone call back with an update, never happened. I've more/less given up on FaceTime since this started, and now using Skype almost full-time. I've had no issues with audio/video with Skype in Yosemite, only with FaceTime.

As for Apple, I think they are lost and not as focused on user experience AND quality as they used to be. The User Experience is garbage if he/she cannot use the software to begin with.

The best fix for this issue was posted a couple of months back - open iTunes and mute it. That ended the feedback issue until Apple can figure out to upgrade their software to do the same thing - apparently they're tying Facetime/iTunes in together and the speaker just don't like that 🙂

First off... That "fix" does NOT work.

Secondly, Apple released a Beta version of Yosemite to over a million beta testers. A workaround shouldn't be required in the first place.

Once Yosemite left the Beta stage, it should work as advertised. Microsoft has to address countless thousands of vendors building a multitude of PCs. Apple controls both the hardware and software. They have NO EXCUSE for turning out an operating system that doesn't work.

Apple is too focused on making political statements and fashion accessories these days to make a reliable operating system. Yosemite is a JOKE!

Your "fix" does NOT work and it shouldn't be necessary in the first place. As for my posting, if you don't like what I post, move to another thread. I'm simply stating the facts. A new operating system SHOULD NOT break existing features. One should expect a new operating system to work at least as well as previous versions. People like you probably don't care that Apple turning out inferior products, but I do. I will continue to post as I choose.

FYI - my issue started after the first post upgrade reboot from off; I don't use headphones or the jack, just the internal microphone/video.

Despite what others here have posted, turning the sound all the way down in iTunes and then exiting iTunes eliminated my popping sound and I was once again able to hear others on both audio and video Facetime calls.

Good luck.

Glosski, iTunes has absolutely NO affect on this FaceTime issue. Your "fix" is absolute nonsense. I duplicated this issue on a number of occasions. Your "fix" didn't do jack SQUAT. Once the audio popping noise starts in FaceTime and there's no audio, the only way to temporarily restore proper function is to reboot. Resetting the core audio might help but I've not tried that as of yet. One thing is for sure, your "fix" is no more a solution than the other poster's suggestions of replacing their router (***?) Once the computer wakes from sleep, FaceTime is FUBAR.

This is quite obviously a software deficiency in Yosemite. Apple broke FaceTime and Apple will have to fix FaceTime or a lot of folks who use it on their Macs will be forced to downgrade to Mavericks.

ALQ-131

Get over yourself and take your hostility somewhere else. That nonsense fixed my issue and it might help others with the same or similar systems or software configurations. It might not - it takes less than two minutes of your life to check. Everybody gets it that you're ****** off at Apple. I'm not wasting my time or effort replying to your insulting and obnoxious communications. Get a life away from your keyboard.

Glosski, I'm not being a bit hostile. You joined here just today (literally) so that's an example of the experience (or lack there of) that you have to offer. Which is to say not much. Your inane idea of turning iTunes volume down to 0 is a waste of time and doesn't work. You're the one who should get over yourself. You should STFU and let the adults continue with this thread un hampered by your silliness.

Late 2010 (maybe early 2011) MBP.

The issue also affects Skype, sometimes. But as reported by others, all other sound is fine. Additionally, I have FaceTime sessions that start with a silent "ring" to then start the ringing sound once I accept the the call, which does tend to make conversation somewhat difficult.

I would write a long rant about Yosemite but I guess this isn't the place.

Well I am surmising it must be something to do with the wireless/BT hardware in 2011 MBPros and earlier. I also have a brand new 2014 MacBook Air running 10.10.1. I am unable to re-produce the audio issue in FaceTime using the 2 methods that always cause it on my early 2011 MBP: 1) Letting the computer go to sleep or closing the lid to put it in sleep mode and 2) Using the headphone jack then unplugging the headphones.

Hopefully it is just a software tweak that Apple needs to write to fix the issue. Continuity is one of the biggest new features in Yosemite and it uses WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0. While it is true Handoff and Cellular Hotspot need BT 4.0 and BLE support and cellular calls and SMS messages just rely on Wifi, the Bluetooth 4.0 spec handles high bandwidth connectivity as part of the spec (24Mbps) by using WiFi. 2011 and earlier MBPros support Bluetooth 2.1 and the BT/WiFi card is one unit from Broadcom while newer MBPros and Airs use BT 4.0/WiFi Broadcom cards. This is why I am coming to the conclusion that it might be a software/hardware functionality issue with Yosemite and older BT/WiFi cards.

Just read all 10 pages of this thread, and I'm having all the same issues: popping/cracking on FT when plugging/unplugging headphones, sometimes w/o plugging in headphones, can't hear others but they can hear me, etc., etc. Early 2011 MBP running 10.10.1 and iOS 8.1.2. I'm guessing it's a bug that affects non-BT 4 machines. Just booked a Genius Bar appointment and will reference this thread when I take my machine in for them to diagnose the issue. Fret not, folks; they'll fix it. I'll just use Skype until they do (even though the quality isn't on par w/ FT).