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My MacBook Pro 2018 version speakers are crackling.

Hello. A few days ago I got the new MacBook Pro 2018 15in version. I’ve noticed since yesterday that my MacBook Pro speakers were crackling randomly. I’m not sure if since this is a new release that there are bugs in the software or if it’s an actual defect. Because before yesterday, I haven’t experienced this issue. I resetted the NVRAM and did a diagnostics test with no issues. After about 10 minutes of use that’s when it does it. Then stops. I think I might hopefully but not hopefully have to get it replaced since it’s under the warranty still. I did nothing to it. So this is dissapointing to me.

Posted on Jul 17, 2018 10:42 PM

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291 replies

Sep 16, 2018 3:59 AM in response to techny.noob

I believe that my issue is related to a sound coming from the speakers. I've been wondering for so long is that, how in the world will I get this issue fixed if changing the laptop itself still yields the same issue. I really hope Apple pays close attention to fixing this problem or issuing a return policy as I have just go this MacBook Pro 2018 in a week.


I am quite shock with the "technical Issues" on the MBP 2018 as I have never experienced them on my old 2011 MBP before. However, I am aware that some of these issues are common to every other person who pays close attention to their MBP.


Another wierd screen issue that I experienced which only happen once is this: Macbook Pro 13' 2018 Screen Issue - YouTube.

The only way to get rid of this screen glitch was restarting the computer. However, this never happened to me again afterwards.


I know that the screen issue is not common in the 2018's MBP, but like...... I was shocked when it happened. It is very hard to get a replacement MBP in my country as the third party reseller also doesn't like the return policy, and this has already been my second replacement.

Sep 16, 2018 4:51 AM in response to siradanaic07

To all people having 2018 MacBooks 13'' & 15'' and having those issues... do you experience those when the audio is coming through your earphone for example?

If that's the case, IMHO, these aren't hardware (speakers) issues and such as is more possible to be fixed in a future software upadte/patch.

I want to replace my old MacBook Pro (mid 2010) two years now, but with all these problems to previous models too I hesitate.

Oct 8, 2018 10:23 PM in response to Asher Menezes

Apple being typical Apple never officially publicly acknowledged it was even an issue as far as I'm aware. Some Apple store reps and service providers told certain individuals they were aware of it and working on a fix, while others claimed to be oblivious of the issue despite numerous news reports about it and many pages-deep forum threads like this. Several people deduced that the crackling was caused by sample rate drifting, and then a software update solved the issue. You are the first person since the update to complain about it (the two posts above you are talking about different issues, as they didn't read the thread properly before posting). Myself and others no longer have the problem.


Apple customer service is a dirty world of misinformation, confusion and flat out dishonesty. Several years later they are yet to acknowledge that iCloud music is a broken mess. Take anything they tell you with a grain of salt.


https://www.macrumors.com/2018/08/29/macos-high-sierra-supplemental-update-2-det ails/

Oct 8, 2018 11:04 PM in response to Rubb.

First of all I may be the first person since the update to reiterate this !

But you can see the original thread on MacRumors about this issue and a guy posted about his interaction with Apple Support just last week !

They stated that they are working on the issue.

That's why I contacted them to see for myself ! They then told me the same thing!

I agree with you about not being upfront and denying that this issue even exists !

But many years contrary to your statement are still plagued by this issue!

Oct 8, 2018 11:17 PM in response to Asher Menezes

I think the problem here is people are having a variety of different audio issues, and are all congregating in the same threads! I checked the post in the Mac Rumors forum, that guy seems to have a different problem to the one I was having that was solved (which at the time was quite widespread).


It's disappointing that there are so many different issues with these Macs. After the audio issue was solved for me, I started having some pretty bad bugs with video playback, which were thankfully solved by Mojave, and now it's working perfectly.


However I definitely don't have confidence that I won't find myself with more issues later on. Apple really needs to do something about its quality control.

On the bright side, at least they aren't deleting all our files like a certain other computer company! It's sad that that's even something we need to worry about with 2018 technology.


At least my N64 still works perfectly 🙂

Oct 20, 2018 10:10 PM in response to Marios K

Hello Marios;

Apple keeps saying that it is isn't a hardware issue but from the way people have been experiencing this issue they have had their speakers blowing off or stop working all together.

Technically speaking if the issue is with the software (i.e. Sampling Rate of Audio drifting) then that will affect the speakers causing hardware issues to occur.

Now for weeks Apple says that they are collecting logs!

I am still searching for a statement from Apple on their Release Notes addressing this issue and I am still in touch with Apple regarding this matter.


I wanted to so buy this MacBook Pro but I cancelled my order because I was worried about this!


Apple should at least address this issue and put out some kind of notice; because it is keeping concerned Apple users in the dark.


I cannot give you any guarantee but I will post any more update I get.

Oct 26, 2018 4:46 AM in response to IdentifiedGamer

Same issue here. Somebody said it might be a software problem with the priority of the audio drivers, i.e. when the machine is under load the audio drivers will not get enough priority to provide a constant stream auf audio. On my machine (2018 MBP 15" w/ 32GB RAM) the distortion is so bad that you can no longer recognize the sound at all.

Nov 6, 2018 4:39 AM in response to IdentifiedGamer

This is happening to me but I think it's CPU related - when the CPU is working.


I have a pair of Bose speakers plugged in and when a web page is loading or now I have an update going on my iPhone (through iTunes) where the CPU is working hard, I hear some almost white noise happening (small crackling or distortion). It seems pretty tied into what the laptop is doing.


Maybe this info helps, I'm not sure but I thought I'd explain what I observe.

Nov 12, 2018 6:09 AM in response to IdentifiedGamer

I just recently bought a new 2018 model only 2 weeks ago, and it is having the same problem. Happens only once every couple minutes, but it sounds almost like a quick bout of interference in a walkie talkie or baby monitor. I've noticed it doesn't happen when using my Bluetooth headphones, and only occurs when I use the built in laptop speakers. Restarting the browser (I'm usually watching YouTube or TV online) or the computer doesn't do anything to fix it either. It just delays it from restarting. Are there no fixes for this?

Nov 14, 2018 5:35 AM in response to CazCoronel

I have not used nor have any of these audio programs. My 2018 15" MBP (not even 2 weeks old) has only been used for and at work so far, running nothing but browsers (happens on both Safari and Chrome) watching YouTube or Playstation Vue, iTunes, iMovie, and Adobe Dreamweaver, Illustrator, and Photoshop. I also use a pair of bluetooth earbuds, which I can and have listened to for hours without any issue at all. It's only ever using the built-in speakers.


After reading several forums, and seeing people having no luck at all with replacing them, I just don't have the confidence that swapping it for a new one will fix the issue, and I really don't think it should have to resort to that when there are so many people experiencing the same exact problem.

Nov 14, 2018 10:32 PM in response to Daniel Bobbert

Daniel please contact Official Apple Support and tell them!

It's of no use if you come on this support forum without mentioning to Apple Support because they do not look at this.

And if you contact them they can escalate it to the appropriate team and at least let the engineers know!!

Please do it as soon as you wish. It will benefit not only you but the others too.

My MacBook Pro 2018 version speakers are crackling.

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