Level 1

3 points

Sound from Thunderbolt Display crackles intermittently

Hello,

Ever since I bought my Thunderbolt display a month ago I've noticed an issue that I thought was a one-time thing. However it happened again today and I believe I know what's causing the issue.

The issue is that every now and then the audio from the TBD will start to crackle and become indistinguishable.

My office is setup with a MBP Retina (mid 2013) running Yosemite and the TBD.

The issue seemingly presents itself when the MBP lags. I often have a few graphics / programming apps open, as well as streaming my music, Facebook, etc. If I quickly switch from Photoshop to MS Word, for instance, if there's a slight lag while switching, the sound issue on the TBD occurs. Same can be said if I switch tabs quickly in Firefox (rarely, but it's happened). It seems any amount of slightly noticeable lag with make the sound start to crackle.

The remedy for this at the moment is simply unplugging the TBD from the Display Port and plugging it back in. The MBP has two TB ports, and the issue happens when using either of them.

Anyone else ever experience this?

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013), OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), Thunderbolt Display 27-inch

Posted on Feb 21, 2015 5:31 PM

27 replies

FWBurr

Level 1

26 points

Aug 17, 2015 7:50 AM in response to addesso

I'm still having this issue. After a long conversation online with Apple Support, they diagnosed a defective sound card in my 2014 MacPro. I took the unit to the local Apple Store - and the sound card checked out great. So they suggested I come back in with the MacPro and the Thunderbolt Display. I went home, hooked everything back up, and the sound was crystal clear for hours. I figured the issue had resolved itself (foolish, I know) and cancelled the follow up appointment. This morning, after two hours of use, it's back. Ugh. I'm beginning to suspect a bad cable, but one curious thing - the sound preferences options for display speakers show USB connection - but this display connects to one of the Thunderbolt ports. I wonder if that's the issue? Anyway, five days from now I have a new appointment.

Sep 28, 2015 5:36 AM in response to FWBurr

Similar here. I have Retina MBP and 2 Thunderbolt displays daisy chained. I can go to sound and flick between the sound output devices (between the 2 screens and MBP internal speakers) and then back again and it seems to work ok. I did think it was because I also run Parallels with Windows10 (have that on one screen for work, whilst Mac OS on other screen for...er...not work !) but by the sounds of it the Parallels complexity is not the issue here. I also have a Henge Dock.....but have stripped out all the cables except thunderbolt (from 1st Thunderbolt display) and power (from 1st Thunderbolt display) - So I'm ruling that complexity out as well.

Software update for the Thunderbolt display perhaps ?

Apr 27, 2016 5:52 AM in response to MatCartmill

Same issue here. Mid 2013 MBP (with a just replaced mainboard due to broken GPU), on a 2009 19" Apple LED display (where the audio goes via USB, video via TB/miniDV). Every 15 minutes I need to plug/unplug the USB connector to retain audio. Very annoying with skype and/or music playing.

Jun 2, 2016 9:44 PM in response to Dimbit

I found the source of the awful sound crackling in my thunderbolt display. It all went away after I disconnected all the USB connections. Yep... an apple keyboard or apple trackpad or an external drive will cause the sound to crackle. It's that simple.

Sebik123

Level 1

8 points

Feb 23, 2015 2:59 PM in response to MatCartmill

Is the problem like this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzqPuzLPdSg

MatCartmill Author

Level 1

3 points

Feb 25, 2015 6:31 AM in response to Sebik123

Yep. Just like at the beginning of the video. It's garbled and sounds like really bad compression.

No one else is having this issue?

MatCartmill Author

Level 1

3 points

Mar 14, 2015 7:57 PM in response to Jerome BERTRAND

I was able to replicate the issue in iTunes this evening. Before it was only when streaming via YouTube / 8Tracks / etc.

May 8, 2015 10:17 AM in response to MatCartmill

I have the same mac same monitor same problem, apple please answer this.

May 23, 2015 11:29 PM in response to MatCartmill

I have the exact same problem and nothing I've done so far seems to fix it.

I have a MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012) and a Thunderbolt Display. Rather frustrating.

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,777 points

Jul 19, 2015 5:33 PM in response to addesso

I use a 2012 Mini with TBD and sound is perfect so not all users have this issue.

Dimbit

Level 1

8 points

Apr 27, 2016 7:33 AM in response to MatCartmill

I have this exact issue. Its very annoying. I have two display's daisy chained. I'm amazed on no comment from Apple, which makes me worry.

FWBurr

Level 1

26 points

Jun 3, 2016 4:29 AM in response to ronskarvan

You may be right. The only thing connected to my TB display is a superdrive (which I use only infrequently), and the sound is fine.

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Sound from Thunderbolt Display crackles intermittently