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Audio popping issue back on MacOS 11.3 for 16 inch MacBook Pro

vanderlylesorrow said:
Honestly, no "steps" required, per say. I'm always using headphones, so volume really isn't that much of a factor. Of course, if the volume is louder, the crackle is more noticeable. Other than that, common usage of the mac is enough to trigger this issue.

Edit: for example, if I visit Instagram, and there's a video that autoplays on mute, I'll hear the crackle. It doesn't matter if I unmute it, I'll hear the crackle as long as the video autoplays. On Youtube, if I click on a video, I'll hear it right before it starts.
Click to expand...

Can't replicate the issue with either 2-band 3-segment Sony earbuds or 3-band 4-segment HyperX headphones with YouTube pause/play/scrubbing with or without mute, Audacity, etc. Happen to be currently on Big Sur 11.6.2 but didn't have the issue either on Monterey.

Has anyone done a USB recovery clean install of MacOS to rule out software glitch?
 
mi7chy said:
Can't replicate the issue with either 2-band 3-segment Sony earbuds or 3-band 4-segment HyperX headphones with YouTube pause/play/scrubbing with or without mute, Audacity, etc. Happen to be currently on Big Sur 11.6.2 but didn't have the issue either on Monterey.

Has anyone done a USB recovery clean install of MacOS to rule out software glitch?
Click to expand...

I upgraded my system from Big Sur to Monterey - still had the issue.
Downgraded back to Big Sur (due to other issues with FCPX), and still have the issue......
 
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Update: called Apple support, they basically told me to do more diagnostics and run out possible culprits.

And so I have. I'm honestly nowhere near a solution, but I've found the following:

I managed to be able to trigger the crackle. By going to System Preferences - Sound - Output, and toggling my headphones, I won't hear a crackle. HOWEVER. If I play audio, or have played audio recently, every time I toggle (switching to and from the speakers option) my headphones, I can hear it. I'm not very knowledgeable on tech stuff, but it seems like it's the sound card that deactivates, or whatever, when it's not in use. That would explain why having sound playing makes it so that no crackles are ever heard.

So... I'm at a loss. Should I return this mac and get another one? I absolutely adore this machine, but audio is basically my number one priority on a device, for listening purposes, and I'm enjoying everything else that this Mac has to offer. I barely buy anything tech related, this is my first "big" purchase (at least it is to me).

Any help is greatly appreciated...
 
I still think its a software issue rather then hardware, so you could return and replace the machine, and still have the issue.
In fact, I didn't have the issue for a good 18 months after buying my system, and suddenly after an OSX update it started happening. Hence it could start at any time.......
 
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vanderlylesorrow said:
Update: called Apple support, they basically told me to do more diagnostics and run out possible culprits.

And so I have. I'm honestly nowhere near a solution, but I've found the following:

I managed to be able to trigger the crackle. By going to System Preferences - Sound - Output, and toggling my headphones, I won't hear a crackle. HOWEVER. If I play audio, or have played audio recently, every time I toggle (switching to and from the speakers option) my headphones, I can hear it. I'm not very knowledgeable on tech stuff, but it seems like it's the sound card that deactivates, or whatever, when it's not in use. That would explain why having sound playing makes it so that no crackles are ever heard.

So... I'm at a loss. Should I return this mac and get another one? I absolutely adore this machine, but audio is basically my number one priority on a device, for listening purposes, and I'm enjoying everything else that this Mac has to offer. I barely buy anything tech related, this is my first "big" purchase (at least it is to me).

Any help is greatly appreciated...
Click to expand...

I get a barely audible pop at 3/4 volume when changing system preferences sound outputs between speaker and earbuds but it only happens twice until I think capacitance discharges but that's not surprising.

If I were you I'd take it to Apple store and have them clean restore MacOS with Apple Configurator 2. If that doesn't help and you're within return period then return and buy another new. Don't exchange for refurb.

Knock on wood but haven't had the issue on MBA M1 16GB/256GB acquired new and manufactured around 2/2021.
 
Ifti said:
I still think its a software issue rather then hardware, so you could return and replace the machine, and still have the issue.
In fact, I didn't have the issue for a good 18 months after buying my system, and suddenly after an OSX update it started happening. Hence it could start at any time.......
Click to expand...
Yes, it is a software issue as I didn't have any popping sounds before installing macOS Big Sur 11.3. There is a software "fix" which was suggested by @Abhay Bobby
Abhay Bobby said:
yeah there is a fix which is temporary as of now, open up QuickTime player and open up a new audio recording, don't do anything else just minimize that tab and use it as the way you normally do, the popping sound isn't heard. Hopefully apple will address it and fix it
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This fix has worked and is still working for me on macOS Monterey 12.2. However, I mainly use Chrome and Safari, which as of 12.2, don't have issues with popping sounds (for me at least). However, Firefox 96.0.3 has been having popping sounds when playing Youtube. I sent Apple feedback a week ago about this; however, I have yet to receive a response from them.
 
macOS 12.2.1 popping sound still present in Chrome and Firefox. I haven't tried macOS 12.3, though, so if anyone has 12.3, please let us know if the popping sound is present or isn't for you.
 
The popping is still present on macOS 12.3 on two different 2020 M1 MBPs I have access to.

It's been the usual for about a year now:
  • Loud pop when audio playback starts.
  • Slightly quieter pop approximately 2-3 seconds after audio playback stops.
Console shows no errors or abnormalities related to coreaudiod when the pop occurs. So far the only workaround is a muted audio track playing in the background. Also, for me it's not related to any particular app – it happens in all browsers, all media players and all other software capable of playing audio I've used. Even notification sounds are affected.
 
I'm surprised Apple still haven't issued any statement or fix yet - seems clear its a software issue....
 
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Ifti said:
I'm surprised Apple still haven't issued any statement or fix yet - seems clear its a software issue....
Click to expand...
Based on Apple's recent history I am sadly not surprised anymore. I have been complaining about this issue since macOS 11.3 and it still hasn't been fully fixed. The only thing that has been fixed for me at least is the audio popping in Safari. Other browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Opera still have audio issues.
 
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Anyone have one of the newer MBP's with the M1 Pro or Max? Same issue or not?
 
skardvin said:
Based on Apple's recent history I am sadly not surprised anymore. I have been complaining about this issue since macOS 11.3 and it still hasn't been fully fixed. The only thing that has been fixed for me at least is the audio popping in Safari. Other browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Opera still have audio issues.
Click to expand...
yeah for me it only works on the new restart. Once it sleeps, i go back to opening quicktime haha
 
People keep saying it's software-related, but I disagree.
This problem NEVER occured before the T1/T2-chips started being used in Macs.
 
jagan said:
People keep saying it's software-related, but I disagree.
This problem NEVER occured before the T1/T2-chips started being used in Macs.
Click to expand...
I experienced this on Macs without the T chips: 2015 13 inch MBP and 2017 13 inch (no touchbar). I think it started happening after spring 2021 Big Sur update, in my case at least.
 
It's happening on my MBP 14 as well. Audio pop anytime a sound starts or stops. Happens on USB C headset, Bluetooth headsets, and 3.5mm audio jack, but not on built in speakers. Happens with Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Apple Music, system sounds... Basically anytime sound starts or stops. This is even having upgraded to the latest software update in Monterey.
 
Okay, that's weird. I open up my laptop today and the issue is completely gone. I'm on Monterey 12.3.1
 
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