AirPod Pro Replacement for Rattling Noise - Beware!

[nmonti]

Word of caution for those replacing either AirPod Pro separately that are running firmware version 2C54.

Wanted to share my experience here for anyone that is about to embark on the same path.

I contacted Apple over the weekend to get a replacement for my left AirPod Pro that was starting to experience the rattling noise when in transparency or NC mode. They obliged and sent a replacement to me over night.

When the AirPod arrived I spent a good portion of my afternoon trying to pair it with the right one with no luck. I looked all over this forum, Reddit and Apple's repair site and none of the guidance helped in getting both ear pieces paired with each other.

Turns out the reasoning for this was a mismatch in the firmware versions between each ear. Easy fix, right? Just let the replacement AirPod update.

WRONG! My right AirPod Pro is running firmware version 2C54, the one that Apple pulled back in January. The replacement left AirPod Pro is running version 2B588, the current available firmware.

Since there's no way to downgrade the right ear, and no way to upgrade the left ear to a firmware that was pulled I had to get back on with Apple support and after some back and forth had to have a replacement issue for the right ear. Another $99 hold on the CC too!

The replacement for the right should arrive tomorrow and I'm hoping the firmware is 2B588 or earlier so I can get these working again.

 

[0118571]

Maybe they will send a replacement with the 2D3 firmware and they hold another $99 again and again. unfortunately this is the new apple. I hope they send with the right firmware and you don’t find yourself in this cycle.

 

[ericwn]

OP thanks for sharing your experiences!

 

[ericwn]

unfortunately this is the new apple

What’s so new here? Apple had mail service parts for ages. Tim ram the company first for Steve than later officially as ceo- all of that is old news.

 

[VinnyML]

I had same scenario and no issue. I think the path was to unpair, factory reset the buds, have both in the charger for an hour or two, and then to pair back with the phone as if brand new. Both were then at the newer (discontinued) firmware.

 

[tspear8183]

I had same scenario and no issue. I think the path was to unpair, factory reset the buds, have both in the charger for an hour or two, and then to pair back with the phone as if brand new. Both were then at the newer (discontinued) firmware.

This is exactly how it worked for me. It did need to sit next to the phone, plugged in for 15-30min. Firmware must have updated. Then I could reset and re-pair.

 

[PeterRollback]

Word of caution for those replacing either AirPod Pro separately that are running firmware version 2C54.

Wanted to share my experience here for anyone that is about to embark on the same path.

I contacted Apple over the weekend to get a replacement for my left AirPod Pro that was starting to experience the rattling noise when in transparency or NC mode. They obliged and sent a replacement to me over night.

When the AirPod arrived I spent a good portion of my afternoon trying to pair it with the right one with no luck. I looked all over this forum, Reddit and Apple's repair site and none of the guidance helped in getting both ear pieces paired with each other.

Turns out the reasoning for this was a mismatch in the firmware versions between each ear. Easy fix, right? Just let the replacement AirPod update.

WRONG! My right AirPod Pro is running firmware version 2C54, the one that Apple pulled back in January. The replacement left AirPod Pro is running version 2B588, the current available firmware.

Since there's no way to downgrade the right ear, and no way to upgrade the left ear to a firmware that was pulled I had to get back on with Apple support and after some back and forth had to have a replacement issue for the right ear. Another $99 hold on the CC too!

The replacement for the right should arrive tomorrow and I'm hoping the firmware is 2B588 or earlier so I can get these working again.

Did you try to connect the case with the pods inside to a power outlet for about thirty minutes with out interrupting them? I was having an issue where the light kept blinking red and its because they had to update to the new firmware while connected to power. Worked fine after.

 

[asfalloth]

Just received a new left AirPod Pro today (left side).
The new one had the case constantly flashing orange light and wouldn't respond to the holding of the button on the back, left them plugged in for 10 mins tried again all good saw a flashing white light after a few seconds of holding the button.
I was on 2C54 firmware before, and am still on that now.

 

[mezzetti]

Hey guys, I managed to reproduce the problem reliably when playing a youtube video.
- Could you please confirm that this is the issue that you are also having (

) ?
- Can you please try to play the video described in my video comment and see if you can also reproduce (

minute 2:11)?

I'm extremely annoyed by this issue, I really hope that being able to reproduce it reliably might give some insights into apple engineer.

 

[asfalloth]

Hey guys, I managed to reproduce the problem reliably when playing a youtube video.
- Could you please confirm that this is the issue that you are also having (

) ?
- Can you please try to play the video described in my video comment and see if you can also reproduce (

minute 2:11)?

I'm extremely annoyed by this issue, I really hope that being able to reproduce it reliably might give some insights into apple engineer.

Yes that is the problem I had on the left one, they worked fine for months, so the left one only started doing it a few weeks ago, received the new left side today all good again

 

[mikemj23]

Same issue here. Left replacement shipped today.

 

[shady16]

how can you view the firmware on each airpod?

 

[mikemj23]

Quick update. Received replacement for left and works great but now the right is rattling. I believe the right has been rattling but not as bad and was masked a bit by how bad the left was rattling. Getting the right replaced now.

 

[players02]

Made an account here to chime in, purchased AirPods Pro (2B588) this year and the right pair has a rattling sound which is apparent (on NC) on a bumpy ride (public transport).

 

[macnmac]

so this is a known issue... i need to get a replacement for mine asap
[automerge]1586609167[/automerge]

how can you view the firmware on each airpod?

maybe just have one in when checking the left and right?

 

[maugustine]

I am also getting a replacement for a noisy right AirPod pro. I raised the concern about being on a firmware version that had been pulled and the support rep said the new one can get the firmware from the other AirPod. Guess I’ll see in a week when my replacement gets here!

 

[players02]

Made an account here to chime in, purchased AirPods Pro (2B588) this year and the right pair has a rattling sound which is apparent (on NC) on a bumpy ride (public transport).

Raised a ticket online and after explaining the issue, they replaced the right-pair and had me mail in the faulty pair back on the same day. What a breeze!

 

[S1004]

Is that a common issue? I wanted to buy AirPods Pro but forum posts always discuss issues. I'm not sure if issues just look commonplace or are pervasive