AirPods Pro: Rattlegate

[thadoggfather]

Talk of this worries me, but then again got my Pro AirPods from Costco

(I prefer saying Pro AirPods, rolls off the tongue better than AirPods Pro)

 

[Apple_Robert]

I haven‘t run into this problem and I hope I don’t. Hopefully, Apple will redesign the Airpod Pros so that it doesn’t keep happening.

 

[Duncan68]

I just got Apple to send me replacements for both my left and right APP due to crackling and malfunctioning mikes. What a slog that was, and what idiocy the troubleshooting steps the rep went through. Also, there were long delays because the rep's computer was very slow. What are they using, Windows XP?

Also, I know I will get no sympathy here, but the whole express replacement thing is discriminatory towards low income people. Having a hold put on your card for $200 can hurt, however temporary. And right now many people have no option for taking them into a store for service. I sincerely hope Apple gets sued over this policy.

 

[Tagbert]

I’m really curious what’s causing it for some and some just don’t deal with it.

I’m on my second right; first left replacement and I just gotta wonder.

Are we “doing” something that’s popping the mics? Like using them near microwaves or coughing or using them on a very specific way that makes them pop; maybe blowing our nose or singing, chewing, while using them? I have a high frequency bug trap and now I’m afraid to turn it on haha.

It seems to happen to too many people to be something like you mentioned. It appears to be a case where an electronic component is failing. The component is used by the noise cancellation system. People have speculated that it is a failure of a microphone but we don’t really know which specific part. It seems like Apple has sourced a bad component and really should issue a replacement program. The concerning thing is that people report that the replacement components are failing too.

 

[SickDimension]

Fun times, heading to Apple store 4th time because of the AirPods. Now I have to say since the last replacement the eatbuds now work but this time the case stopped working. No more wireless charging more than 5 minutes, then then case just stops so every 5 minutes I have to go pick up the case from the wireless charger and place it back on top of it. And no, it’s not a faulty charger; I have 2 different ones that each which work fine with all other devices, but not with the AirPods pro case.

I don’t know wether to cry or laugh. Think different, my ass..

 

[Bustermd]

Sigh....
I thought I might have gotten away without any issues. I've had the Airpods Pro essentially since release (November 2019) and they were one of my favorite things. Today I've started hearing the dreaded rattle. For me it started in the left pod very insidiously. I describe it as a crackling, the sound very similar to Pop Rocks or Rice Krispies. Happens when I talk or chew while wearing the Airpods (a problem as I use them mostly for phone calls). Also reproduced by tapping on the left one. At rest I hear nothing.

Guess I'm going back to the regular Airpods. I don't see any point of asking for a replacement if its just going to break again in 1-6 months, as seems to be people's experience, and it certainly seems like this is a hardware design problem. Hopefully Apple makes it right by some sort of hardware exchange program but it seems almost every unit is affected.

 

[johannnn]

Too many posts to read everything. What is the consensus regarding where the rattle comes from? I have normal AirPods now, and I don’t want to risk the rattlegate. But I read all these rumors about “AirPods Pro Lite” or whatever, basically the look of the Pro but without noice cancellation. Would these also have the defect part? If they don’t have the thing that you stick in the ear, basically looking like normal AirPods but short like the Pro, would those also have the defect part?

 

[ninecows]

Sigh....
I thought I might have gotten away without any issues. I've had the Airpods Pro essentially since release (November 2019) and they were one of my favorite things. Today I've started hearing the dreaded rattle. For me it started in the left pod very insidiously. I describe it as a crackling, the sound very similar to Pop Rocks or Rice Krispies. Happens when I talk or chew while wearing the Airpods (a problem as I use them mostly for phone calls). Also reproduced by tapping on the left one. At rest I hear nothing.

Guess I'm going back to the regular Airpods. I don't see any point of asking for a replacement if its just going to break again in 1-6 months, as seems to be people's experience, and it certainly seems like this is a hardware design problem. Hopefully Apple makes it right by some sort of hardware exchange program but it seems almost every unit is affected.

Complain. Get the replacement. Refer to this thread. Start pushing for a refund if it happens again. Ask for a replacement to regular AirPods plus a refund of the price difference. Based on the history here Apple clearly made a design flaw here and if we silently accept it nothing will happen apart from consumers losing their money.

 

[ascender]

Replacement AirPod Pro is fine, but when I’m using them with noice cancellation enabled, the Airpod which hasn’t been replaced seems like its cancellation isn’t working as well. It seems to be letting in more background noise, or letting in the same amount, but using a different algorithm.

Has this happened to anybody else? Any explanations or should I be looking to get the other AirPod replaced too?

 

[Duncan68]

Replacement AirPod Pro is fine, but when I’m using them with noice cancellation enabled, the Airpod which hasn’t been replaced seems like its cancellation isn’t working as well. It seems to be letting in more background noise, or letting in the same amount, but using a different algorithm.

Has this happened to anybody else? Any explanations or should I be looking to get the other AirPod replaced too?

I bet if you do the fit test on the one that wasn't replaced, it won't pass now. These things are inherently flawed and normal use degrades functioning. Get the old one replaced and in the future, when you need a replacement, tell them that both earphones are rattling so you at least get a baseline where both will work for awhile before needing replacing again.

I'm glad I got Applecare+, so I WILL get my money's worth out of these things, but the hassle of constantly getting replacements makes them not worth it. Going forward I will choose another brand, like Jabra.

 

[ascender]

I bet if you do the fit test on the one that wasn't replaced, it won't pass now. These things are inherently flawed and normal use degrades functioning. Get the old one replaced and in the future, when you need a replacement, tell them that both earphones are rattling so you at least get a baseline where both will work for awhile before needing replacing again.

I'm glad I got Applecare+, so I WILL get my money's worth out of these things, but the hassle of constantly getting replacements makes them not worth it. Going forward I will choose another brand, like Jabra.

Well, you’re right, ear fit test on the left won’t pass regardless of what tip I use.

Its strange, because I’ll be walking on the pavement with noise cancelling enabled, cars will pass on my right hand side and I’ll head them, very pronounced on the left hand AirPod.

 

[jaytv111]

So mine had a fun issue, it rattled at first, then it started throwing massive amounts of high pitched noise into my ear when on noise cancellation or transparency. It was horrible. I got them replaced, hope to whatever higher power that it doesn't happen again. But if it does, then I guess I'm out entirely on Airpods, time to switch to a different brand for wireless audio.

Oh yeah, and even when I was on the phone going through troubleshooting with Apple they had me reset it and even only a few seconds of the high pitched noise during troubleshooting was unbearable to my ear, let's hope for other people it doesn't ever get that bad cause it could damage people's hearing.

 

[LostAggie]

Just had mine replaced for the 2nd time... done with these...

 

[Duncan68]

For those that have done the express replacement with a hold put on a debit card, how does that work? I just had the authorization disappear from my bank account, but I have no idea if it's going to come back in a day or two as a posted transaction, and then Apple will refund the money when the express replacement process is finished.

It doesn't help that Apple is replacing both earpieces and only the left one was in stock. I received the left one and sent my old one back already. The right one is supposed to be in stock on August 9, with me getting it a day or two later. I'm wondering how long my money is going to be tied up in this bull****.

 

[predation]

For those that have done the express replacement with a hold put on a debit card, how does that work? I just had the authorization disappear from my bank account, but I have no idea if it's going to come back in a day or two as a posted transaction, and then Apple will refund the money when the express replacement process is finished.

It doesn't help that Apple is replacing both earpieces and only the left one was in stock. I received the left one and sent my old one back already. The right one is supposed to be in stock on August 9, with me getting it a day or two later. I'm wondering how long my money is going to be tied up in this bull****.

You have 10 days to return the day you receive.

 

[biscuit]

Just thought I’d add my voice. I’ve explained over on this other thread but I got the rattle recently in left APP, which was already replaced in Feb after purchase in Nov. Got both replaced now.

Regarding warranty, surely the replacements are covered for a year from when you get them? That was my assumption anyway (I’m in the UK)

 

[chrfr]

Just thought I’d add my voice. I’ve explained over on this other thread but I got the rattle recently in left APP, which was already replaced in Feb after purchase in Nov. Got both replaced now.

Regarding warranty, surely the replacements are covered for a year from when you get them? That was my assumption anyway (I’m in the UK)

In the US, warranty replacements are covered for 90 days or the balance of the original warranty and/or AppleCare, whichever is longer. You can look it up here https://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/

 

[ascender]

I’ve got the replacement left-hand AirPod Pro now and the difference in noise cancellation is incredible. Its now clear to me that the original pair were failing for some time and the “rattling/squawking” is the end result. Although I only heard that in one earpiece....

I’m guessing warranty will just be for the original year from purchase date, although I’m going to keep a note of the dates of replacements because I have a funny feeling this could happen again.

Also, in the UK, if you want to save yourself a trip to the UPS depot, when your replacement arrives, just ask the driver to wait so you can take the good one out and put the faulty one back in the enclosed envelope.

 

[frostbit3]

Just got my second one replaced, had the left ear replaced due to rattling back in June and now the right one was just replaced. Hopefully both of these last longer than a few months.

 

[0194839]

I purchased the APP right after the release date in November 2019 but returned them after 3,5 weeks of testing. The main reason for returning the APP was the degrading noise canceling. Now we know it’s because of the vents getting clogged

The first 2 weeks these AirPods Pro were a miracle of technology. I was beyond happy. I still miss them and wondered if I should rebuy them.. so today I took a look on macrumors and found this thread.. rattle gate? Seriously Apple?

How can such a prestigious company as Apple who claim to produce premium quality products come up with such a faulty product?? SMH

 

[chrfr]

Now we know it’s because of the vents getting clogged

We don't know that at all. It may be part of the problem but it may not be all or any of it.

 

[0194839]

We don't know that at all. It may be part of the problem but it may not be all or any of it.

Yes we do. I’ve read dozens of posts from people who -temporarily- restored their faulty NC by cleaning the vents with blue tack. It’s clearly a design flaw.

 

[chrfr]

Yes we do. I’ve read dozens of posts from people who -temporarily- restored their faulty NC by cleaning the vents with blue tack. It’s clearly a design flaw.

I don't disagree that there's a flaw, and whatever the root cause, it's significant and frustrating. It could be in design or manufacturing, however. In most cases reported here (including with mine) trying to clean the vents had no effect whatsoever on the noise canceling.

 

[biscuit]

In the US, warranty replacements are covered for 90 days or the balance of the original warranty and/or AppleCare, whichever is longer. You can look it up here https://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/

I think the UK might be similar actually . Was a bit naive of me to think the replacements would extend out the warranty.

Well, if it happens again I guess I’ll push for a refund.

 

[vinegarshots]

Yes we do. I’ve read dozens of posts from people who -temporarily- restored their faulty NC by cleaning the vents with blue tack. It’s clearly a design flaw.

There are multiple issues. One can be helped with cleaning in some cases (fit test, noise cancellation), yes. There other issue is caused by faulty hardware inside the pods (the buzz or rattle), which cannot be fixed with cleaning.