How to Fix Cracking and Popping Sound ?

The problem still persists on my Macbook Pro M1 when using Mojo Chord connected with USB-C (but not with directly connected headphones). However, I recently got a used Mac Mini M1 and after connected the Mojo Chord to that I've had no cracking issues at all, so essentially switched using that for music instead of the Macbook which I use for work.

Both machines are running latest Ventura release, have Rosetta installed and have multiple Intel processes running. I have to assume it's something to do with the Macbook hardware or architecture. Maybe that's why they don't seem to be able to fix it with software updates.

I had a call with Apple a minute ago, and it seems that they are aware of this problem. They said you need to update your system and that they are already analyzing the problem. Hopefully, a bugfix will be published soon!

Same issue with MacBook Air M1, 2020. After a while, the crackling starts. Reducing the volume doesn't help at all.

I've been updating OS but the problem persists. It's surprising that the issue persists for 2 years now! You would think that either hardware or software it would be resolved by now.

2021 Macbook Pro, 16", M1 with similar, short crackle/pop/fart sounds at any volume, which has worsened to roughly every 1-2 minutes. Did anyone have a permanent fix by taking it to the Apple Store?

sudo killall coreaudiod

Fixed it! It should reload itself within a fraction of a second.

This problem has been here for a whole year! Let's celebreate with a little birthday for this issue!

This is what I found in the console:

HALC_ProxyIOContext.cpp:1149  HALC_ProxyIOContext::IOWorkLoop: skipping cycle due to overload

HALS_IOEngine2.cpp:3683 Detected possible coloring mixer glitch on BuiltInSpeakerDevice: buffer time: 10222740 actual time: 10221968 safety violation: -268 with 2 running contexts

HALS_IOEngine2.cpp:3683 Detected possible coloring mixer glitch on BuiltInSpeakerDevice: buffer time: 10223236 actual time: 10222087 safety violation: -163 with 2 running contexts

HALS_OverloadMessage.cpp:644  index: 0, start: 0x103be423d17e, duration: 0x2b, fault address: 0x107684000, fault pc: 0x1a184fe6c, faulting TID: 0x10ab9f, fault type: 0x1, PID: 0x406c

this erros continues from index 0 to index 66

HALS_OverloadMessage.cpp:644  index: 66, start: 0x103be423d14d, duration: 0x2c, fault address: 0x107680000, fault pc: 0x1a184fe6c, faulting TID: 0x10ab9f, fault type: 0x1, PID: 0x406c

HALS_OverloadMessage.cpp:681  lastStackshotStart: 86478510820208, lastStackshotEnd: 86478511948958, numStackshotsTaken: 1855, sumOfTakenStackshots: 4264003166

HALS_OverloadMessage.cpp:267  HALS_OverloadMessage: Overload due to HAL client proc exceeding io cycle budget

HALS_OverloadMessage.cpp:273  HALS_OverloadMessage: Overload due to the driver taking too long
 HALS_OverloadMessage.cpp:194  Audio IO Overload thread: 10a134 inputs: '<private>' outputs: '<private>' cause: 'Unknown' prewarming: no recovering: no
   CAReportingClient.mm:537  Sending message { message="{
  "HAL_client_IO_duration" = 25665708;
  HostApplicationDisplayID = "com.ColossalOrder.CitiesSkylines";
  cause = "PageFaultsOffIOThread,ClientHALIODurationExceededBudget,DriverTookTooLong";
  deadline = 10220870;
  "input_device_source_list" = "";
  "input_device_transport_list" = "";
  "input_device_uid_list" = "";
  "io_buffer_size" = 1024;
  "io_cycle" = 3005;
  "io_cycle_budget" = 21354125;
  "io_page_faults" = 0;
  "is_prewarming" = 0;
  "is_recovering" = 0;
  "issue_type" = overload;
  lateness = 237;
  "other_active_clients" = "[ { HostApplicationDisplayID_other_client: com.spotify.client, sample_rate_other_client: 48000.107769, io_buffer_size_other_client: 512 }, { HostApplicationDisplayID_other_client: com.ColossalOrder.CitiesSkylines, sample_rate_other_client: 48000.107753, io_buffer_size_other_client: 1024 } ]";
  "other_page_faults" = 67;
  "output_device_source_list" = "Internal Speaker";
  "output_device_transport", reporters="<decode: missing data>" }

I don’t feel like turning off every app apart from the one making sound is viable, and frankly it shouldn’t be necessary. I haven’t had to do that in 20 years of having computers. Until now. Apple finally replaced my M1 MacBook Pro after verifying the crackling sound in spite of not being able to diagnose the fault. And then I switched on the replacement and no pops, no crackles… I start to relax, celebrate even… and then pop 💥 it’s back 🤦🏼‍♂️

I still have this problem when I am using Ableton. I already changed the bitrate to 48000 to all devices and also tried multiple latencies. It seems a problem with the audio driver:

 HALS_OverloadMessage.cpp:644  index: 15, start: 0xaa780f998d, duration: 0x2b, fault address: 0x10ba8c000, fault pc: 0x1895cfe6c, faulting TID: 0xc20f, fault type: 0x1, PID: 0x1a8
   CAReportingClient.mm:537  Sending message { message="{
  "HAL_client_IO_duration" = 11961041;
  HostApplicationDisplayID = "com.ableton.live";
  cause = "PageFaultsOffIOThread,ClientHALIODurationExceededBudget";
  deadline = 87596004;
  "input_device_source_list" = Unknown;
  "input_device_transport_list" = Virtual;
  "input_device_uid_list" = "GDAudioDevice_UID";
  "io_buffer_size" = 512;
  "io_cycle" = 4;
  "io_cycle_budget" = 11354166;
  "io_page_faults" = 0;
  "is_prewarming" = 0;
  "is_recovering" = 0;
  "issue_type" = overload;
  lateness = 33;
  "other_active_clients" = "[ { HostApplicationDisplayID_other_client: com.globaldelight.Boom3D, sample_rate_other_client: 48000.000000, io_buffer_size_other_client: 512 }, { HostApplicationDisplayID_other_client: com.globaldelight.Boom3D, sample_rate_other_client: 48000.036378, io_buffer_size_other_client: 512 }, { HostApplicationDisplayID_other_client: com.ableton.live, sample_rate_other_client: 48006.012834, io_buffer_size_other_client: 51", reporters="<decode: missing data>" }

Found this thread while trying to diagnose a crackling sound with my M1 Max macbook pro (Ventura 13.2.1), mostly using Bitwig Studio. Tried killall coreaudiod, but that didn't work. Same program works fine on my 2010 Mac Pro (running Monterey). Interestingly, the Bitwig "DSP Performance Graph" shows sharp spikes coinciding with each of the crackles. Activity monitor shows absolutely no memory pressure (the machine has 64GB, isn't running much). Tried changing sample rate in Bitwig, which did show a different baseline in the DSP Performance Graph, but the spikes still happen. Very odd behavior.

I have been in contact with both Apple and the creator of an app which makes the crack sound.

For Apple, this is ONLY an Apple-issue, that they will look at if the sound comes when there is no third-party apps open. The creator of the app, said that when all their sound is turned off, they don't make any sound.

So this means, that we will never get this solved. They are firing bullets at each other. This is very sad. I think we should try make a list of programs that has this problem and also maybe try find out what coreaudiod is doing.

ChatGPT has told me, it is an audio driver.

So, I’ve found a bit of a work around for this issue which Apple has ignored for about 10yrs now. I’ve been looking for a solution for about 2months or more, ever since I was forced to upgrade to Catalina. I’ve seen this has been a problem as far back as 2014 for some people and NOTHING from Apple. This is a disgrace. Apple has ignored this incredibly BIG issue for this long and the bigger problem we as consumers have is that we have no option except to go to Windows, they suck too. But I digress…

Anyway, I do a little DJing in my spare time. I own a Denon DJ controller. The controller is a standalone unit which means it has the ability to play music without a computer attached. Most DJ controllers use laptops nowadays. Maybe you’ve seen DJs using laptops with turntables to DJ, in this case, you don’t need a laptop. The controller links to the computer so you can put music directly on the controller or on a USB flash drive which you can plug into the controller. Denon DJ makes a free software called EngineDJ so you can organize and load music onto your controller or on a usb flash drive. When I open Engine DJ, I have minimal audio dropouts in Apple Music, there are still some, BUT when I close EngineDJ its 10 times worse. This tells me that its a software issue that can be fixed and Apple has simply decided NOT to fix it. “Expletive” You Apple.

I’m not sure why the dropouts nearly stop when EngineDJ is loaded but until someone comes up with a better solution, maybe this will help some of you with this long running Apple computer problem. And maybe one of you developers can figure out how DenonDJ makes it work and then get Apple Music to load the same way.

Thank you and good luck… Remy Lebeau

Boom 2 - Stereo Sound Enhancer for Mac - Global Delight fixed this issue for me!!!!!

Now I'm looking for some free software, that is doing the same... But you can try a trail and check it out!

In my case, increasing Bitwig Studio's "Block size" from the Automatic setting of 256 samples to 512 samples almost entirely fixes the issue. Oddly, the same instruments with Bitwig studio on my 2010 Mac pro don't have any crackling issues even with block size set to 32 samples.

This is still an issue:

• Monterey 12.4
• 16in 2021
• Apple M1 Pro

This fixed it for me.

1. Open the Audio MIDI Setup app
2. Select MacBook Pro Speakers.
3. Change the format to 44kHz or 48kHz

Someone made an app it's here on github (eqMac) https://github.com/bitgapp/eqMac

It's been working for like 20+ mins now and my chronically bad laptop is now pumping out crystal clear tunes

FIX FOUND!

eqMac, by Roman Kisil. Go to eqmac.app/ for the install.

I am now using APPLE MACBOOK AIR M2 CHIP 2022 and I’m having this issue. I’m literally having anxiety when I hear it cause this is my first laptop and its expensive as hell. What shout I do? 😭😵‍💫

I have the same issue on my MacBook Pro 14 2023 (Apple M1 Pro). Looks like it is not present on Firefox. Only on Safari.

I'm having the same issue, random popping and crackling sounds when the memory is on high pressure, on a MBP 14-inch 2021. Absolutely egregious this hasn't been addressed by Apple having affected so many people. I hope for a future recall, a class-action suit, or something!

The fix for my noise problem! I'm on an M1 Mac Mini, Venture 13.2.1 with JBL 305P studio monitors (killer monitors BTW) connected via a UA Volt 176 interface / DAC. I had a faint but constant and annoying electronic/buzzy/pulsing sound in the left channel. I tried swopping speakers and it was still in the left so it isn't a speaker issue. I tried a few of the suggestions given here like quitting all apps, etc to no avail. Then I plugged headphones straight in to the Mini and there is no noise. Hmmm. So it's not the speaker but it's also likely not the computer sound as the noise isn't there in the headphones on either channel. Then it hits me. My Orbi wifi extender is standing about 18 inches away from the back of the left channel JBL. I unplug the Orbi and problem instantly gone! So relieved. I know this probably isn't the issue with most of you all but I hope this helps someone else. Depending on your situation, consider outside sources for potential noise generation.

Noise is gone with "Apple USB-C to headphone adapter". And is worse with Magsafe + headphone jack.

Same issue recently on a MacBook Pro (14inch, 2021), had another mbp since 2015 and it never cracked...

It happens with Spotify so I thought it was the app's problem at first, but apparently it probably wasn't. Here is a post from the community:

Crackling/Clipping Noise on Macbook [https://community.spotify.com/t5/Desktop-Mac/Crackling-Clipping-Noise-on-Macbook/td-p/5016088/page/4]

I didn't try every possible solution they mentioned since it seems in the end always failed, but when someone suggested it could be effected by memory pressure, it reminds me I used to have the memory cleanser with me (though I never know if it's helpful). So I turned it on and it seems reduce the frequency of cracking in a certain extent, but no not fixed, just to a bearable level (for now)

Adding my voice as well on my "old" macbook pro 15 late 2013 running now on big sur 11.7.7 Sound always played well until the latest os updates. there's no way to have the sound I had few weeks ago. I am sure it's a sw/driver problem because pluggin in some headphones via wire the play fine. I don't think speaker broke down because I use music at low volume but never the less even at low volume the noise is there all the time.