Your MacBook's speakers crackle, hiss, sound distorted or are suddenly much quieter than before. Sometimes it only happens with loud music, sometimes with every sound. That may be the software, but also the speakers themselves. This article explains how to find out what is to blame, what you can try yourself and when a repair is needed.
Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam, including when the sound is no longer right. With the steps below you can often first see for yourself whether it is a software or a hardware problem.
Step 1: always, or only in one app?
Play sound from different sources: a video in Safari, music in the Music app and a system sound via System Settings, Sound. If it only crackles in one app or on one website, that app or file is to blame, not your speakers.
Step 2: test with headphones
Connect headphones or AirPods. If they sound fine, the problem is probably in the speakers or their connection. If the headphones crackle too, software is more likely. Also see connecting AirPods to your MacBook.
Step 3: check the sound settings
- Open System Settings, Sound, Output. Choose the internal speakers and check that the balance is in the middle.
- Try the volume at about three quarters instead of fully up. Small speakers distort sooner at full volume.
- Check whether a sound effects app or an equalizer is active, and turn it off for now.
Step 4: restart the Mac's audio
Sound on the Mac is managed by a background process. Restarting the Mac restarts that process. Advanced users can also do it in Terminal with sudo killall coreaudiod; the sound drops out briefly and comes back. See opening and using Terminal.
Step 5: safe mode and updates
Install the latest macOS update. Then try starting up in safe mode: only the basic parts load. If it does not crackle there, a program or extension is interfering. If it crackles there too, that points to hardware.
Hardware causes
- Overdriven speakers: long use at full volume with lots of bass can damage the membrane. Then it crackles mainly on low tones.
- Moisture: after a spilled drink or high humidity the speakers or their connection may start to hiss. Read water damage: problems that come later.
- Dust and dirt in the grilles can muffle the sound. Clean the grilles gently with a soft, dry brush, never with moisture or compressed air up close.
- A loose cable or connector after a drop or an earlier repair.
- A problem on the logic board in the audio section. Then the microphone or headphone jack sometimes act up too.
Known on older MacBook Pros
On a number of MacBook Pro models from around 2016 to 2019, crackling speakers were more common. If you have such a model, it is worth checking whether the speakers themselves are to blame. Also see checking Apple repair programmes.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
We test the sound with and without software, measure the speakers and their connection, and look for moisture or damage. Then you hear what is needed and what it costs, before we start. On many models we only replace the speakers; on some they are attached to a larger part. More on our page about MacBook repair in Amsterdam.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace the speakers myself?
On most MacBooks the bottom has to come off and the speakers are held by glue or small screws. That takes experience and the right tools.
My speakers only crackle at high volume. Is that bad?
It is often a first sign the speakers are wearing. Keep the volume a bit lower to prevent it getting worse.
Is it macOS after an update?
Sometimes. Test with headphones and in safe mode. If it sounds fine there, the speakers are probably not to blame.
