How to Fix the Popping and Crackling Sound on Mac.
Are you consistently listening to the popping and cracking sound on Mac?
The high quality of Macbook audio system has at all times been among the finest audio system on a laptop computer. Not simply because they’re loud and clear, but in addition their entrance place prevents customers from masking them. Still, they’re vulnerable to points occasionally, corresponding to iPhone Calls Not Ringing on Mac, distorted audio, crackling sounds, and so forth.
In truth, the popping and cracking sound on Mac has been there since OS X Mavericks, and nonetheless, Apple hasn’t discovered a solution to repair it as soon as and for all. The drawback may happen each as a result of {hardware} and software-related points. But don’t fear. We’ll assist you to diagnose the trigger and troubleshoot the problem with the strategies listed beneath.
So let’s get began straight away!
1. Clean the Speaker.
Over time, the floor of your pc’s audio system might gather mud particles, leading to a popping and crackling sound on Mac. However, that is simply fastened by cleansing the speaker floor to take away mud and particles blocking the small holes.

To achieve this, use a microfiber material to wash the mud particles and rubbing alcohol to wipe out any grime caught on the speaker holes. Allow the audio system to air dry and examine if the crackling sound has gone.
3. Force Restart Your Mac.
Unexpected bugs in your pc’s software program end in points that might additionally have an effect on the {hardware} elements. Thus, it’s attainable that the popping and cracking sound on Mac is because of a short lived bug in your system. Frequently, they are often eradicated by merely pressure rebooting your Mac.
Here’s the way it’s executed:
- Press and maintain down the Power button or the Touch ID in your Mac, relying on the mannequin you personal.

- Release it when the Apple brand seems on the display screen. This ought to repair the popping and crackling sound on Mac.
4. Update Your macOS.
Software bugs additionally result in the popping and crackling sound on Mac. These bugs typically get eradicated through a model update. So you probably have any macOS update pending, set up it instantly to see if that resolves the problem.
Here’s how to do it:
- Firstly, go to the Apple menu on the prime left nook and select About This Mac.
- Then, click on on the Software Update button.
- Wait in your Mac to examine for any updates, and if it’s accessible, click on the Upgrade Now button to start the method.

While following this methodology, make sure that your Macbook has a ample battery. If not, put it on cost earlier than putting in the update. Moreover, connect with a robust web connection and have sufficient storage in your Mac for the update to be efficiently put in.
5. Lower the Volume Level.
Usually, audio system begin producing popping and crackling sounds on Mac when the audio is enjoying at a excessive degree, or it has increased frequencies. So, strive decreasing the amount degree to round 70% by urgent the F11 shortcut key and see if that resolves the problem. Otherwise, transfer to the following methodology from this information.

6. Quit Unnecessary Programs and Let Your Mac Cool Down.
If your MacEbook’s temperature is rising, this is perhaps one motive why you’re listening to distorted audio or crackling sound. Applications with excessive CPU utilization eat loads of sources, which ends up in overheating of the inner elements.
If you’re feeling your Macbook is hotter than normal, shut it down and provides it a while to chill down. If you’re using it outside, take it inside to deliver its temperature down. Afterward, play any audio and examine if the popping or crackling sound has vanished.
You may additionally stop the functions with excessive CPU utilization by following the steps beneath:
- First, go to Finder from the dock.
- Next, click on on the Applications tab on the correct pane.
- Once there, double-click on the Utilities folder.
- Now, double-click on Activity Monitor to launch it.

- When it opens, go to the CPU tab.
- Click on the CPU column to rearrange the working functions based mostly on their CPU consumption fee.
- If you need to shut an software, first choose it.
- Then, click on on the x icon on the prime.

- Finally, select Quit from the dialog field that seems afterward.
The popping and crackling sound on Mac ought to be efficiently solved.
7. Change the Output Sound Format.
Macbooks permit customers to decide on a most popular pattern fee for the output audio. If the chosen format can not alter to various frequencies of the sound format, you would possibly hear the popping and crackling sound on Mac. Changing this pattern fee may repair this problem.
To achieve this, comply with the directions beneath:
- Begin by urgent Command and Spacebar keys concurrently to deliver up the Spotlight Search.
- Type ‘Audio MIDI Setup’ and click on on the primary consequence that exhibits up.
- When a brand new window opens, go to the Macbook Speakers tab from the left pane.
- On the correct pane, open the drop-down menu for Format and select a frequency completely different from the one already chosen.

Now, stop the Audio MIDI Setup window and play audio to examine if the problem has been resolved. Otherwise, transfer to the next methodology from this information to troubleshoot your drawback.
8. Remove Corrupted Audio Files.
Plist recordsdata, additionally known as property record recordsdata, are utilized by Mac to save lots of preferences and configuration settings of a number of applications and apps. Sometimes, these recordsdata might turn into defective and trigger varied points, corresponding to popping and crackling sounds on Mac.
You can repair this problem by deleting these corrupted audio recordsdata out of your Macbook. To achieve this, beneath are the steps you will need to comply with:
- To begin, go to Finder.
- Next, click on on the Go tab on the menu bar and select Computer.

- Now, choose your quantity, e.g. Macintosh HD.
- There, open the Library folder and go to Preferences.
- Then, go to Audio.
- Move the next recordsdata to your Desktop:
com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist
com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plis

If that fixes the popping and cracking sounds in your Mac, delete the recordsdata you moved to your desktop. However, if it doesn’t, transfer them back to their authentic location.
9. Reset the NVRAM.
NVRAM is a reminiscence kind in your pc that shops settings and information associated to quantity, startup disk choice, and so forth. Resetting it would clear the reminiscence and will assist resolve the said problem.
Here’s how to do it:
- First, shut down your pc by going to the Apple menu and selecting Shut Down.
- After that, boot up your Macbook and, on the similar time, press and maintain the Command + Option + P + R keys concurrently for about 20 seconds.

- Release them when the Apple brand seems on the display screen.
10. Visit the Apple Store.
If all of the said strategies don’t repair the problem, there’s a excessive likelihood your Mac suffers from a {hardware} drawback. We suggest you’re taking your device to the nearest Apple retailer to diagnose the problem and obtain technical help.
This wraps up our information on how to repair the popping and crackling sound on Mac. If you continue to have any questions, be at liberty to ship them to us through the remark part beneath. We’ll be blissful to supply additional help on the matter.
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