How to Fix Cracking and Popping Sound ?

Still a bug on Big Sur 11.4 for me too.

Here, there is no need for Xcode to run, crackling happen on You Tube, Facebook, on Chrome or Firefox, Spotify app. Difficult to replicate. Sometimes I don't hear it for days.

From Apple to me re: Feedback reply Mar 18, 2021 at 4:57 PM – FB9047661: Xcode Simulator Accessibility Spoken Content Problems

Xcode & crackling speaker output while simulators are open on Macs running Big Sur:

Apple:

After reviewing your feedback, we have some additional information for you, or some additional information, or action is necessary for this issue:

Please verify this issue with Xcode 13 Beta 5 and update your bug report with your results by logging into https://feedbackassistant.apple.com/ or by using the Feedback Assistant app.

Xcode 13 Beta 5 (13A5212g) https://developer.apple.com/download/ Posted Date: Aug 10th, 2021

For a complete list of logging instructions visit: https://developer.apple.com/bug-reporting/profiles-and-logs/

My reply to Apple:

Sorry, I do NOT run Beta Softwares on my machines anymore. I will let you know how the final Gold Master release works.

Still a bug on Big Sur 11.5.2 for me too. I am using Macbook pro 16 inch. I have to restart my computer very .often

Is the issue resolved in MacOS Big Sur 11.6?

Having this issue on my MacBook Pro 16", but only when starting an iPhone simulator.

Happening for me on 11.6 (M1 MackBook Air). Might be associated with having an iPad app running (Overcast). I find if I use control centre to switch from Bluetooth to built-in for a moment and then back again the problem goes away. However as soon as something changes, e.g. next podcast in Overcast, you have to flick to speakers and back again once more.

I had this problem 3 times already and each time a small magnetic particle had ended up on the bass speaker. The vent openings are big enough for small particles to enter the inside of your Macbook Pro. The easy fix is to open your back cover and wipe the speaker clean with a soft brush and while you're at it give the rest of the inside a good clean with the brush as well. With later Macbook pros be careful when opening the back though as there are 2 clips and 2 hinges and when you have popped open the front and side of the lid you need to pull it forward to unhinge the back lid. If unsure just watch on youtube how to open it. Apple has changed the lid design for quite a few years now.

Monterey 12.0.1, MacBook Pro (14", 2021, M1 Pro)

Still no fix?! WTF?!

I just bought 6 days ago a new MBP 16'' M1 Pro 16GPU and I'm getting this annoying sound from time to time while watching youtube or listening to something else, I was also able to reproduce this issue several times by doing this.

open a browser (Firefox, Safari or Chrome) and play any youtube video (and try to lower the volume a bit), then open "Audio MIDI Device" select "Macbook Pro Speakers" then select "Configure Speakers" and finally click on the Test Icon (left or right), and every time the test audio ends the annoying sound will be there.

This is an expensive machine and do not think it should have this kind of issue.I'm thinking about returning it.

Hi,

I have the same problem with all sound going from my MBP 15, retina Late 2013 with macOS Big Sur. Is there any help how to resolve it?

Thanks.

Same here, way to go apple.

Running macOS Big Sur Version 11.6 on a Mac mini (late 2014) Using USB speakers. Getting this annoying crackling and popping sound. Don't recall having this problem until the last OS update.

Same issue but with a new iMac 10-core i9....running Big Sur 11.6.1. I don't seem to have CoreAudio in my Activity Monitor to close and restart as others have recommended.

I have the same issue after upgrading to Monterey 12.0.1. The sound continuously cracking both for output and input streams. I'm on Macbook Pro 13` 2015 (i5 2.9).

Just want to chuck in my two pobble beads... Running an MBP 16" 2019 (8-core i9 2.4GHz, 64GB RAM, 8GB 5500M, 2TB SSD) bought May 2020. No problems at all until a few days ago when crackling started from my left side speaker grille. Tried resetting SMC, NVRAM, changing speaker format to every available frequency option, rebooting, using Terminal and Activity Monitor to play whack-a-mole with coreaudiod... Nothing worked. Re-installed macOS Monterey (12.0.1) yesterday and the issue disappeared. Until today. It's back but, er, only sort of. Occasionally, I hear crackle but not as much as I was experiencing when the problem first made itself known. But it isn't constant. It occurs when playing music through Apple Music, playing video through Apple TV and when watching video on YouTube (via Safari 15.1 or Firefox 94.0.2), and when running games on macOS or Windows 10 via Bootcamp.

Annoying doesn't begin to cover it. Apple needs to get this sorted. This issue has been affecting users of MBPs and MBAs for years now. Ridiculous. I'm posting simply to share info.

Well my 2019 Macbook pro right speaker has joined with all the others. Sounds like it is blown, but I don't listen to it at full volume, and last I used it, it was fine. Upon firing it up tonight and going to youtube, the right only sounds like it has either a bad connection, or the cone has become detached from the housing. Tried all the fixes on the software and setup end, but no change. The only reason I got this laptop was because I am a stock holder, and wanted to support the company. Now I'm just angry that this seems to be a very wide spread problem that Apple is not taking care of. I am very very disappointed with them. Maybe a class action lawsuit will get their attention.