How to fix MacBook Pro speakers crackling

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Posted by Geeks Callout London

@geekscallout

 18 July, 2022

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How to fix MacBook Pro speakers crackling

A MacBook Pro isn’t some cheap laptop with low-quality components. Apple offers you the best hardware parts and software to provide a smooth and flawless user experience. However, in the midst of everything premium, the MacBook Pro speakers crackling plays the part of annoyance for users who can’t enjoy a good movie or their favourite music album peacefully.

Now, what to do if your MacBook Pro speakers have issues that disrupt your listening experience? Well, if you just bought a MacBook Pro and realized the audio doesn’t work perfectly as the speakers make a buzzing or crackling sound, you could seek Apple support. Because the speaker problem existed right out of the box, Apple should fix it under warranty and even replace your MacBook Pro if required.    

What are the steps you could take to fix it?

If your MacBook Pro speakers started malfunctioning recently, you could try to fix it. The hardware issues might need professional MacBook repair service because sometimes the damage in the speaker’s diaphragm creates an unpleasant noise as you play audio. On the contrary, the errors in the software can be fixed if you try the following methods.

1- Update your macOS:

Update your macOS

Updating your macOS is a reliable solution to resolving almost all software problems. The new improvements in the latest software automatically eliminate bugs, fix errors, and strengthen device security. This step should repair any errors existing in the speaker’s system.

On the contrary, if the crackling sound started after you updated your macOS, you’d have to roll back to the previous version. It might be possible that the latest update had a bug, so you must check if the speakers work fine without it. So, if they work alright, you must resist updating the OS until Apple resolves the issue.

2- Test other audio software apps:

The audio software app you use may be incompatible with your macOS, so you hear buzzing or weird noises. Whatever application you’re using, check its compatibility by visiting its official website. You could also download other software apps like FL Studio or Logic Pro to test if other apps work fine or if the issue persists.

3- Reset the sample rate settings of your Mac audio:

Reset the sample rate settings of your Mac audio

Sometimes resetting the sample rate of your mac audio clears the problem. You can change the rate to 48kHz in the MIDI setup audio app. Moreover, changing the I/O buffer size to 1024 may also help to fix the problem in some cases.

You can go to the MIDI setup audio app via the utility folder available in the Application folder of your Mac.

4- Reboot the NVRAM system:

For Intel-based Mac:

Step 1- Power off your Mac and press the power key right after it shuts down.

Step 2- When the MacBook turns on, quickly press the Option, Command, P, and R keys and hold them for 20 seconds.

Step 3- Release the keys.

For M1 chip Mac:

Step 1- Go to the Terminal app through Spotlight

Step 2- Once the window opens, enter the following Command: NVRAM -c in the Terminal window.  

Your NVRAM system will reboot. However, you’ll have to reset other settings like time zone, display resolution, etc. This step should fix the audio problem. If the issue persists, try the next method.

5- Run Diagnostics tool:

Run Apple diagnostics to fix any hardware errors. Follow the steps below for Intel-based MacBooks.

Step 1: Ensure your MacBook Pro is connected to the internet and the charger.

Step2: Shut down the device and turn it on again by pressing the power button.

Step 3: Press and hold the “D” key while your MacBook reboots.

Step 4: Release the key once you enter the Mac diagnostics mode.

For Mac with M1 chip:

Step 1: Restart your MacBook Pro

Step 2: Keep pressing the power button for 10 seconds and wait till the startup options show up on the screen

Step 3: Press Command + D to enter the diagnostics mode. 

Now, if there are any hitches in the hardware, the diagnostics tool will identify them and display instructions along with the reference codes. You may note down these codes and follow the instructions step by step.

6- Run system in safe mode:

Run system in safe mode

Running Mac in safe mode follows pretty straightforward steps. You can quickly boot in the safe mode and figure out if the crackling audio issue resolves itself or not.

For Mac with Intel chip:

Step 1: Restart your MacBook Pro and press the Shift key until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Step 2: You will be asked to put your login details in the system. So, type in your credentials to boot in the safe mode.

For Mac with M1 chip:

Step 1: Turn off your MacBook and continue to press the power button until you see the startup options.

Step 2: Pick your startup disk from the options and press the Shift key.

Step 3: You may release the key once you get the “Continue in Safe Mode option.” Choose this option, and you’ll be asked to enter your login details.

Step 4: You will now boot in safe mode.

Final Thoughts:

The crackling sound is pretty exasperating for music lovers and anyone with work associated with audio listening. So, we mentioned some of the tested and tried methods you could apply to resolve the current issue in the speakers. However, if none of the procedures work, your last resort would be to contact a PC/Mac professional who will run an in-depth checkup to fix your MacBook Pro speakers.

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