Apple Launches AirPods Pro Service Program for Crackling/Static Problems and ANC Issues

Apple today announced the launch of a new service program for AirPods Pro sound issues, which is designed to address ‌AirPods Pro‌ units experiencing static or crackling sounds or problems with Active Noise Cancellation.

AirPods PRo isolated
Faulty AirPods exhibit the following problems, according to Apple:

  • Crackling or static sounds that increase in loud environments, with exercise or while talking on the phone
  • Active Noise Cancellation not working as expected, such as a loss of bass sound, or an increase in background sounds, such as street or airplane noise

Affected AirPods were manufactured before October 2020, and those who have AirPods experiencing issues can take them to Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for service free of charge. Apple says that the ‌AirPods Pro‌ will be examined prior to service to verify that they're eligible for the program. ‌AirPods Pro‌ earbuds demonstrating the issue (left, right, or both) will be replaced.

The program applies only to the ‌AirPods Pro‌ and not other AirPods models. It covers ‌AirPods Pro‌ for two years after the first retail sale of the unit.

‌AirPods Pro‌ users have been complaining about issues with crackling/popping sounds during movement and problems with Active Noise Cancellation for months now. Affected users see the crackling or popping sound appear over time, and it appears to occur when something causes the earbud to move or vibrate.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Caution)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone May Finally Go All Screen

Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by
Apple is preparing a "bold" new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As part of what's being described as a "major shake-up," Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself. Here's the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no...
maxresdefault

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and ...
CarPlay Hero

Apple Releases Wireless CarPlay Fix

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed. Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update's release notes say it "addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles." If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should...
top stories 2025 04 19

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, CarPlay Bug Fix, and More

Saturday April 19, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
This week saw rumor updates on the iPhone 17 Pro and next-generation Vision Pro, while a minor iOS 18.4.1 update delivered not just security fixes but also a fix for some CarPlay issues. We also looked ahead at what else is in Apple's pipeline for the rest of 2025 and even the 20th-anniversary iPhone coming in 2027, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! iPhone 17 ...
iOS 18

iOS 18.5 Includes Only a Few Changes So Far

Monday April 21, 2025 11:00 am PDT by
Apple seeded the third beta of iOS 18.5 to developers today, and so far the software update includes only a few minor changes. The changes are in the Mail and Settings apps. In the Mail app, you can now easily turn off contact photos directly within the app, by tapping on the circle with three dots in the top-right corner. In the Settings app, AppleCare+ coverage information is more...

Top Rated Comments

Bustermd Avatar
58 months ago
“Manufactured before October 2020”

So... all of them?
Score: 64 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gjdarbo Avatar
58 months ago
I literally just called Apple about an hour ago about this issue and they told me they couldn't find any related issues related to the crackling noise. Lol
Score: 57 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LeeW Avatar
58 months ago
It's not an Apple product if it doesn't have a repair program.
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bustermd Avatar
58 months ago

Before October 2020 does not include any manufactured after October 31, 2020. So no, not all of them.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions to which the answer should be obvious.
Seeing as today is October 30, 2020, my question is how could any be in existence that were manufactured after October 31, 2020? Or is it a reverse entropy situation like in that Tenet movie?

The point, which you missed obviously, is that Apple has essentially acknowledged that every one made up until very recently has been faulty. This is a big deal for headphones that cost as much as Air Pods Pro. Good for Apple for acknowledging the problem though. Better late than never. But seeing as I got mine replaced a couple months ago with zero argument I figure they knew it was an issue long ago.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brar.arsh Avatar
58 months ago

It's not an Apple product if it doesn't have a repair program.
Am not sure if that is a positive or negative comment.
According to me Apple does care for their customers more than 99% percent of the companies out there.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
canyonblue737 Avatar
58 months ago

Glad I just payed apple $90+ dollars to replace one of mine that had this exact issue smh
talk to them, in this situation they refund you.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)