Why Are My Headphones Crackling?

Find what changes the crackling

Crackling can come from the connection, the headphones or the sound playing through them. We'd change one thing at a time, starting with the recording, because a device comparison is much more useful once you know whether the noise occurs in other audio.

1. Play another recording and listen for the same noise. If only the first recording crackles, try it outside the app or use a downloaded copy before changing the headphones.
2. Lower the volume and replay the passage. Note whether the noise changes, then continue to the device comparison; volume alone doesn't identify a damaged part.
3. Try the same headphones on a second compatible device. If they sound clear there, check the original device or app. If they still crackle, follow the connection checks below.

The headphones plug into a jack

A loose plug can make wired audio crackle or cut out. Check the connection before changing sound settings, because reseating it gives you a direct test.

1. Push the plug firmly into the jack and listen again. If the sound clears, the connection was the useful lead. If it still crackles, check both connection points.
2. Look for debris on the connector and in the jack. Use a soft brush or compressed air to clear what you can reach, reconnect and listen. If the noise remains, inspect the cable.
3. Look along the cable for fraying or cuts. If you find damage, report where it is when you ask about service. If the cable looks intact, compare another compatible playback device.

The noise comes from one side or when the cable moves

Check the cable, connector and affected earbud for visible wear or breakage. If the noise appears when the cable moves, note where you were holding it, then try the headphones on another compatible device. Crackling that follows them keeps the focus on the headphones; clear sound points back to the original device.

If one side is quieter as well as noisy, headphones that sound muffled has checks for that separate symptom.

The connection uses USB or an adapter

If an adapter sits between your headphones and a USB-C or Lightning connection, reseat the connections on both sides and listen again. If your setup supports a direct connection, compare it with the adapter in place. A difference tells you which connection to check next.

For USB headphones on a Windows computer, try a different USB port. If the crackling remains, keep the port result and continue with the playback-device checks.

The headphones connect over Bluetooth

Nearby electronics and Wi-Fi signals can interfere with wireless audio. We'd first bring the headphones close to the playback device and remove obstructions between them, because a change in sound gives you a useful connection clue.

1. Listen near the playback device with fewer obstructions between them. If the sound clears, keep that arrangement in mind. If it doesn't, reduce nearby interfering devices and listen again.
2. Try the headphones with another compatible device. If the crackling stays with the original device, check its audio settings. If it follows the headphones, continue with the maker's reconnect or reset steps.
3. On Galaxy Buds2, connect the earbuds to Galaxy Wearable, then tap Earbuds settings, General and Reset. Pair them again after the reset. On Sony Bluetooth headphones, the sequence is reset, initialize, then pair again; the button presses vary by model, so use your model's operating instructions (opens in a new tab).

If the sound skips, pauses or cuts off completely, follow the Bluetooth disconnection checks for that symptom.

Only one app or recording crackles

Play audio outside the affected app. If the other audio is clear, check the app's output choice before working on the headphones. On Windows, an app can use a different output device from the system default.

For streaming audio, try a downloaded copy of the content and compare it with the stream. If the downloaded copy plays clearly, focus your next check on the stream or app. For earbuds used with a phone, disconnect them and play the affected app through the phone speaker to see whether the noise stays with the app.

Does the noise follow the headphones?

Compare the same headphones on a second compatible playback device. For wired headphones, check that the second device supports their impedance. Clear sound on the second device points you toward the original jack or its software; crackling on both devices points you toward the headphones and their cable.

If the noise follows the headphones after the connection checks, stop at external inspection and contact the manufacturer for a service assessment. Check your warranty coverage, request an estimate and ask whether repair or replacement makes sense. Report any visible damage, whether one side or cable movement changes the noise, and what happened with another recording, volume setting and device. For AirPods, you can check Apple's service options (opens in a new tab); the final fee follows inspection.

The original device still crackles

If the headphones sounded clear on another device, turn off audio enhancements on the original one and listen again. On Windows, audio enhancements (opens in a new tab) can cause distortion or crackling on some devices. If playback clears, leave them off. If it doesn't, restart the device and check for a software update.

A few related symptoms

Check the playback device's software

If the crackling stayed with one playback device, restart it and listen again. If it persists, check for a software update. On a Windows computer, outdated or corrupt audio drivers can also cause crackling, so check for an audio-driver update in Device Manager and listen again after updating.