Some 2018 MacBook Pro Owners Experiencing Crackling Speakers

[MacRumors]

Following the release of 2018 MacBook Pro models last month, some customers have turned to the MacRumors Forums, Apple Support Communities, Reddit, and YouTube to report intermittent crackling from the built-in speakers.

The crackling appears to occur spontaneously during audio playback on both 13-inch and 15-inch models, based on a handful of videos shared by customers. As with many crowdsourced issues, there are a lot of variables involved, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly what may be causing the problem.

Some customers appear to experience the issue while playing music in iTunes, while others are affected when using GarageBand, or playing a YouTube video. Some users also hear the crackling when running Windows via Boot Camp. It's unclear if the crackling is limited to specific volumes or frequencies.

MacRumors forum members have speculated about possible causes, including radio interference due to a lack of shielding, audio drivers, and the T2 chip.

A few years ago, some customers experienced similar crackling from the built-in speakers on the 2016 MacBook Pro, oftentimes when running Windows via Boot Camp. The crackling was so loud that it often permanently damaged the speakers, resulting in the MacBook Pro needing to be repaired or replaced.

Within days, Apple acknowledged the issues in a support document, and released updated audio drivers for Boot Camp with a fix:

If you installed Windows 10 using Boot Camp Assistant before November 25, 2016 on a MacBook Pro introduced in October 2016, it's important that you install the Audio Driver Update for Boot Camp using Apple Software Update for Windows to avoid issues with your speakers.

The speaker issues with the 2018 MacBook Pro don't appear to be as dire, or nearly as widespread, but enough complaints have surfaced that we wanted to bring some attention to the matter in the interest of those affected.

At least one user claims the issue may have been fixed in the latest macOS Mojave betas, which is unconfirmed. Another user claimed that Apple engineers are looking into the matter. Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

Of course, in a production run of millions of new MacBook Pro units, a small percentage may have defective speakers, but this does appear to be an actual issue that hopefully can be or has been addressed in a future software update.

If you are affected by this issue, we recommend contacting Apple Support. In the meantime, some users have shared potential workarounds, such as resetting the System Management Controller and NVRAM, disabling Hey Siri, or simply rebooting, but these solutions may not be ideal or work for everyone.

Article Link: Some 2018 MacBook Pro Owners Experiencing Crackling Speakers

 

[MacLawyer]

Software update coming I'm sure.

 

[dan9700]

I had it today restart fixed it but annoying

 

[Chopper9]

Are we sure this isn't a Macbook Air?

 

[yes3sir]

It's not crackling, it just had some Taco Bell for dinner last night.

 

[TMRJIJ]

Hehe... MBP couldn’t handle those sick beats

 

[44267547]

Some of the above comments are not surprising already, as this really is a non-issue, as a software patch *should* be able to repair this problem. But some will make it seem like the 2018 MacBook Pro is a ‘failure’ because of the sound crackling.

 

[SecuritySteve]

It's not just crackling in the speakers, it's crackling in any output device. I notice the same in my AirPods. Happens any time I'm playing music and then another app plays sound.

 

[Harlowgold1]

I have had two 13" MBPro's in the last four weeks and my sound goes out intermittently. I'm not surprised.

 

[YaBe]

Some of the above comments are not surprising already, as this really is a non-issue, as a software patch *should* be able to repair this problem. But some will make it seem like the 2018 MacBook Pro is a ‘failure’ because of the sound crackling.

I'll tell you what t is not surprising, Apple releasing a computer without testing it nowadays..

If it was such non issue, it would not be there to begin with , it might not be a failure, and I am sure it is not (yet as you fail to see why people complain, I fail to see why people defends Apple no matter what), but it has pretty much the same issue 2016 and 2017 models had, it would be time Apple addresses them BEFORE releasing the new version.

But I am sure someone will explain us how this is the user's fault

 

[TMRJIJ]

It's not crackling, it just had some Taco Bell for dinner last night.

That’s why I only get soft shells.

 

[NBAasDOGG]

I went to the Genius Bar today about this problem, but he told me it’s normal.
He told me that it’s part of the courageous deigns...

 

[krause734]

Sounds like it's another Gate : Cracklegate

 

[StellarVixen]

Horrible? Will this MBP fiasco ever end?

Or is it just gonna keep getting worse and worse?

 

[SoN1NjA]

Some of the above comments are not surprising already, as this really is a non-issue, as a software patch *should* be able to repair this problem. But some will make it seem like the 2018 MacBook Pro is a ‘failure’ because of the sound crackling.

Yes, this can probably be fixed with a software update, but why should there have to be 1000x patches for a $6000 computer to perform like it should?

———

You think people would be a little confused or upset about new issues arising, but I guess not

 

[fokmik]

For those who experience this, should wait, not to hard use the speakers until the firmware fix will come.
Its a deja vu from 2016 MBP audio drivers in bootcamp, where some used them until they broke the hardware until the fix came

 

[44267547]

but why should there have to be 1000x patches for a $6000 computer to perform like it should???

What’s the price have to do with anything? That’s the nature of tech sometimes, is that there are glitches and bugs, just like it is with the Apple Watch, the iPhone, the iPad, those all have patches that repair intermittent issues, as it’s not perfect.

 

[logicstudiouser]

Apple will now include the option to upgrade to non-crackling pro speakers for an additional $500.

 

[BootsWalking]

You're listening wrong.

 

[OC40]

Yes, this can probably be fixed with a software update, but why should there have to be 1000x patches for a $6000 computer to perform like it should?

———

You think people would be a little confused or upset about new issues arising, but I gusss not

$6,000. Lol. How many people actually purchased the 4T ssd?

 

[SoN1NjA]

What’s the price have to do with anything? That’s the nature of tech sometimes, is that there are glitches and bugs, just like it is with the Apple Watch, the iPhone, the iPad, those all have patches that repair intermittent issues, as it’s not perfect.

The price has to do with it because when you’re purchasing an expensive product you think they’d spend more than 5 seconds to make sure it works properly

 

[Rogifan]

Some of the above comments are not surprising already, as this really is a non-issue, as a software patch *should* be able to repair this problem. But some will make it seem like the 2018 MacBook Pro is a ‘failure’ because of the sound crackling.

Front page story because it will drive page views/clicks.

 

[adamjackson]

Finally, an issue that's wide-spread that hasn't affected me (yet). !!! this is so exciting.

 

[Rogifan]

Yes, this can probably be fixed with a software update, but why should there have to be 1000x patches for a $6000 computer to perform like it should?

———

You think people would be a little confused or upset about new issues arising, but I guess not

What are the thousands of patches you’re referring to? Or are you just being hyperbolic?

 

[TimmeyCook]

Apple will now include the option to upgrade to non-crackling pro speakers for an additional $500.

Sure, because Apple does that in any of their products. /s