A number of AirPods Pro users have complained recently, saying their headphones aren't as good as they were when they first got them. One of the issues that made waves on the Apple forums was when users noticed a crackling sound coming from their headphones.
This week, Apple released several support articles that specifically mentioned some troubleshooting steps.
If you have a problem with your AirPods Pro, you can try these remedies first.
If the product continues to have problems, it is recommended to contact Apple Customer Service and seek device repair/replacement.
The AirPods Pro was launched in October 2019, so it's still covered by Apple's warranty.
In the first support article, if your AirPods Pro makes a crackling or static sound, Apple suggested that you should first check if the iOS device or Mac you're connected to is the latest version.
Apple then suggests isolating the problems associated with audio interference in the environment and experimenting with different audio applications.
If the problem persists, Apple says it will contact their support team - especially if the problem arises "in a noisy environment, while exercising or on a call."
According to replies on the forum, Apple's support team is replacing AirPod for users who are not exhibiting the issue.
For active noise reduction that gets worse, Apple again recommends updating your operating system to the latest version. Then, use a dry cotton swab to clean the mesh on top of the AirPods Pro.
Apple says that if the mesh is fouled by earwax or other debris, it could affect the noise reduction performance.
If you notice a drop in bass response or an increase in background noise (such as airplane sounds) that the active noise reduction setting cannot eliminate, then the cleaning step should be useful.
If you have cleaned the product and it still doesn't fix the problem, then you need to contact Apple Customer Service.
