429 Too Many Requests

SOLVED

I had an unbearable high pitched squeal in the right side when I used ANC or transparency. I tried:

• Changing tip size
• Software updates
• Changing in ear detection settings
• Resetting them and repairing them
• Cleaning them. They were new anyway.
• If I turned off ANC or transparency then it was fine but I wanted that feature of course.

In the end I got them replaced within the 14 day period and lo and behold… the replacement had the exact same issue. ****.

Why? It must be me then. I actually discovered I had a lot of ear wax build up within my ears affecting the AirPods ANC performance. It didn’t affect AirPods Pro 2 for me but the new design of the AirPods Pro 3 must be such that it is affected with the ear wax build up in my ears.

I got my ears cleared out and SOLVED! Fixed! No software or firmware issue needed. Just needed to clean out my ears. Give it a try yourself.

I (possibly) found a solution/explanation!

I’ve experienced this exact issue as well immediately after buying my new AirPods Pro 3, and after doing a lot of testing, I found something that (at least for me) completely solves the issue temporarily and pretty much confirms this is a software issue. I discovered it completely by accident.

Here’s what I tried:

In the AirPods settings on the iPhone, I ran the Hearing Test (Settings ➝ Your AirPods ➝ Hearing Test). You need to be wearing your AirPods to do this.

When you start the test, the AirPods automatically turn off noise cancellation.

If you had ANC enabled before starting the test, it normally turns back on once you finish or cancel the test.

However, you can’t cancel the test right away, you have to continue until you reach the part where it asks you to “tap when you hear a tone”.

Once you reach the “tap when you hear a tone” part, you can cancel the test. As soon as the test stops, ANC automatically turns back on, but this time the static/hissing noise is completely gone.

The catch:

If I change the AirPods mode (ANC ➝ Transparency/Off ➝ back to ANC), the static/hissing immediately returns. Running the Hearing Aid Test again removes the hissing again until the next mode switch.

So right now, running that test seems to act as a temporary workaround that removes the white noise until ANC gets cycled.

I’d be really interested to know if anyone else can reproduce this, because it strongly points to a software bug rather than a hardware issue.

Hey Guys. I think I found out what this is and / or how to "fix it". I bought the latest generation Airpods Pro Model Number A3064. They worked well for a couple days only to have this exact issue pop up. It seemed to only be an issue with the left one but nothing I tried fixed it. I went into this forum and tried much of what people seemed to try with no luck. Made sure I had the latest software, did a hearing test etc.

In the end, what fixed it was deceivingly simple. Basically just put them back in the case and wait a few minutes? How many? Not sure but that seems to reset them eventually but not right away.

What causes it? It seems to me that when you wear your Airpods, and then take them off but not put them in the case, the AirPods are trying to still figure-out the environment and adapt. If your environment is particularly quiet, they seem to want to amplify sound more than they should, causing the circular audio loud beep issue.

TLDR: Prevent this by putting them back in the case when you are done with them; Fix it by putting them back in the case, closing the case and just letting it sit there for a few minutes (say 5?).

Good luck and I hope this saves you going into the rabbit hole and it works.

My success story

I use a lot of fans at my home. And thus I started to see a pattern. Humming starts (and then stays regardless of changing conditions) always if I put on AirPods within air moving area. It seems even light wind fools sensors. Noise level seems to be irrelevant.

So after doing any voodoo for resetting humming noise that works for you (in my case leaving them in a case for some time was enough; others pointed thorough cleaning, de- and re-pairing, hard reset etc.) just try to put them on where air stands still. After that it becomes fully resistant to a wind.

Worked for me every time (and humming ALWAYS started if I forgot the rule and put them on in a windy area).

It’s ridiculous for flagship headphones for $250 but here we are. Hope it works for you too.

Simba__ wrote:

I (possibly) found a solution/explanation!

I’ve experienced this exact issue as well immediately after buying my new AirPods Pro 3, and after doing a lot of testing, I found something that (at least for me) completely solves the issue temporarily and pretty much confirms this is a software issue. I discovered it completely by accident.

Here’s what I tried:

In the AirPods settings on the iPhone, I ran the Hearing Test (Settings ➝ Your AirPods ➝ Hearing Test). You need to be wearing your AirPods to do this.

When you start the test, the AirPods automatically turn off noise cancellation.

If you had ANC enabled before starting the test, it normally turns back on once you finish or cancel the test.

However, you can’t cancel the test right away, you have to continue until you reach the part where it asks you to “tap when you hear a tone”.

Once you reach the “tap when you hear a tone” part, you can cancel the test. As soon as the test stops, ANC automatically turns back on, but this time the static/hissing noise is completely gone.

The catch:

If I change the AirPods mode (ANC ➝ Transparency/Off ➝ back to ANC), the static/hissing immediately returns. Running the Hearing Aid Test again removes the hissing again until the next mode switch.

So right now, running that test seems to act as a temporary workaround that removes the white noise until ANC gets cycled.

I’d be really interested to know if anyone else can reproduce this, because it strongly points to a software bug rather than a hardware issue.

I noticed this some time ago

DonDzonson wrote:

I tried without eartips, it seems a bit less noise, but still hear it.

In my airpods I hear this noise in every mode contact, adaptive and noise reduction. It only disappears at the moment when I'm starting hearing test, after theese questions aboiut age, and health the noise disappears

but in my the noise appears after test, and this happens regardless of the mode, albo on ANC off. But if there is the way when this noise disappears, so this is probably the issue that can be solved by hardware

I'm having this same issue in my AirPod Pro 3 right earbud. It's most definitely and issue with the ANC, whether in noise cancelation mode, adaptive or transparency the problem persists. However, when you turn this function off, the high pitch/feedback sound goes away. I have an appointment with Best Buy tomorrow to replace them but not sure at this point if I should even bother since a lot of folks getting replacements are having the same issue. My current firmware vesrsion is Beta 8B14c and same for the case. Not sure if I should get a refund or wait to see if they fix it with a firmware fix.

This has been documented by a multitude of users.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AirpodsPro/comments/1nqf02b/new_airpod_pros_3_have_static_sound_in_left_side/

https://www.reddit.com/r/airpods/comments/1nr9bux/my_opinion_on_airpods_pro_3_from_an_airpods_pro_2/

https://www.reddit.com/r/AirpodsPro/comments/1nl2fem/ocean_static_noise_with_airpods_pro_3_anyone_else/

Apple has not responded to any of this in the public domain other than giving folks replacements; for every user on these forums a replacement has NOT resolved the issue (because it's likely a design failure or a firmware issue across the board for people with specific ear shapes and/or hearing sensitivities). I have inquired whether people with units manufactured in Vietnam vs. India vs. China can confirm whether the issue persists, and there is no clear pattern, meaning that it's likely universal (if we assume the same microphones are being sourced to each unit).

My working theory is that the anti-wave pattern being generated in the AAP3 is overly aggressive changing the noise floor envelope which is very audible to a large subset of customers -- this is how they are able to achieve their purported 2x ANC of APP2 over APP3 claim. If we assume this is not a sourcing / manufacturer defect in the microphones (which we cannot rule out), we need confirmation from Apple that the ANC anti-wave pattern is in fact generating an audible white noise / hiss / low-fan air wooshing that users are experienceing. At this point, Apple not even acknowlding this in the open (but in their Genius Bars repeatedly) is gas-lighting consumers.

The clear way to replicate the audible noise is to enable off-mode and toggle between that and noise-cancellination; as soon as you toggle on noise cancellation mode, you will hear an air-wooshing sound (to different degrees deppending on your ear shape and/or sensitivity); prior APP2s DO NOT yeild this audible noise when in noise cancelling mode because the ANC anti-wave pattern and/or microphones employed are dialed in appopriately for all.

People should continue to add comments to this thread.

Update: the new firmware does have the option “off”, only with the listening mode switched on. That option is to be found way down at your airpod settings.

when “off”, no white noise or squeeling etc. Three other modes (transparant, adaptive, anc) still have the white noise (bloodflow?).

squeeling briefly reappeared when anc responded to something “squeeling” nearby, and disappeared when the outside noise was gone. Didn’t hear it while cycling outside.

it seems that airpods microphones are constantly measuring outside sounds when not in “off” mode. The microphones are very sensitive, and i think they generate the white noise sound.

for other users here; when in off mode, do you still hear white noise?

I finally took my AirPods Pro 3 to BestBuy after opening an Applecare ticket. I explained to Apple support all the troubleshooting I did and they said to take it to Apple or BestBuy and have it replaced. BestBuy ran the diagnostic on the earpods and they both came back fine. The did agree to go ahead and replace the right one since that was the one I was having issues with. After receiving the replaced earbud and getting it paired up successfully, the right earbud is now working just fine. I urge all of you who are still dealing with this issue to use the Apple Feedback tool to report this. Apple support does not read forums and most are unaware of the issue. If we want Apple to address it and fix it, then we need to use the feedback tool so the information can get to them. Here is the link for those that need it.

Feedback - AirPods - Apple

By the ‘changing modes didn’t help’ did you also use then “off” mode? That works for me. No squealing, no white noise at all. The other mode i use is “transparant” while cycling, and then the white noise is back (background). When i put in the eartips firmly, i do not have any squealing. By firmly, i mean put them in with minor force, afcourse painless, and when in twist them a bit and leave them be. This helps quite a bit.

second question is it the right ear piece of left? Mine is the right one. It sounds a bit ‘off’ when on a mode other then ‘off’. The ‘off’ mode works perfectly, but people buy these for the anc mode ofcourse..

OK this happened again now to my wife and what I posted above did NOT work but MAYBE this will work for you as it did for her airpods. Just clean them with a cloth or whatever means apple recommends. That made it go away when nothing else worked. Apple really should post something more official here as we're otherwise just all posting what works for us and looking confused...

I posted this to another tread but I don't know how to link here to that tread so here it is again:

I had this problem too and it was especially bad on a flight I took the day I bought my AirPods 3. I contacted Apple Support through Chat and was told after they did a diagnostic analysis of them to reset my AirPods. I went through that process and I have noticed 2 things. First, the sound seems better but I have not and will not be on an airplane any time soon so I cannot say that they work as they should in that situation. Second is the removal of the ability to turn off the ANC. There were originally 4 choices "Off", "Transparency", "Adaptive", and "Noise Cancellation". After the reset "Off" was gone. My AirPods 3 now have Firmware 8A357 which the Apple site says is the latest.

I hope this helps but I am not sure if the issue is really fixed.

I've gone trough all of this and the problem remains.

But other than most of you around here, after listening and trying a lot I came to the conclusion that the cause simply lies in the way the SW amplifies certain frequency ranges into much more bass and much more high frequency than APP1 and APP2.

I suggest the DA-conversion in the APP3 is rather "noised" and this is then amplified. I compared that to a lot of other earphones, headphones and sound sources so that I can say the white noise sticks with the APP3 and only with that ... no matter which BT-device is the sound source.

This goes so far that especially old analogue recordings with some white noise are painfully noised when listening with the APP3. A very analog sound.

But you summarize correctly that to much of white noise is clearly audible in any of the 4 sound modes with any sound source ... even off. It's still noteworthy to mention that the noise vanishes shortly sometimes when switching apps or sound modes.

My summary: It's probably the - in comparison - limited performance of the DA-conversion or limits of the used BT-mode.

I had the squeeling sound before latest firmware upgrade (older version had the 4 modes , 4th being “off”. Latest firmware doesn’t have that option anymore). Sofar they don’t do the squeeling sound anymore. But i’ll keep on testing them. So users that experience the squeeling sound , please try the firmware upgrade. Might help you.

The white noise in my case is very low, to the point that i am not sure if i hear my blood streaming, as my ears are closed ofcourse. I do have (tiny bit) tinnitus so that may confuse me aswell.

If you do the audio test, the white noise disappears for a brief moment, gets back and disappears again. It must be software related.

For me (tinnitus) the white noise is bearable, but that’s no excuse for the noise being there!

If you turn off the noise cancellation, the white noise, squealing, and cracking disappear because the noise cancellation is not working. However, that makes the AirPods Pro comparable to regular headphones that can be purchased in any electronics store for $20. That so many problems are not worth $250 😢 In my case, both headphones make white noise, and it¡s unbearable. I recall using my first-generation AirPods Pro to sleep at night due to noisy neighbors, and now I can barely use them to listen to content. I'm going to try a factory reset to see if it's related to my paired device (M1 iPad) or the hearing test I mentioned a few messages ago. But if this situation continues, I will return them to Amazon and try a new pair.

Solution:

There is an older version of my comment addressing the same issue of hearing white noise on left ear.

Today i checked with an ent doc and he cleared the wax of my left ear (it was completely blocked with wax)

After that there is no white or disturbing noise from my left earbud. (So probably my left earbud was telling me that i had blockage on left ear :3)

Both are working just normal.

If anyone of you are hearing sounds like that, please do contact an ent specialist as well.

Those who are having the high pitch/feedback issue in the earbud(s) need to send it to Apple via the feedback app. This is the only way it will get to Apple techs to work the issue.

Feedback - AirPods - Apple

In settings , you can enable mode “off’ for the airpods. In that setting, it should be dead quiet, no (white) noise. Use the eartips, they are needed for fit and better sound.

I had the squealing sound people discuss here, but after cleaning, eartip ‘stretches’ the squealing sound disappeared. The only thing i hear is a low level white noise sound, might be same to yours. But such a low level, it doesn’t really bother me (only to be heard when nog music / sounds). It’s probably noise form the earpods mics, as they are always on in all modes except ‘off’. in other settings they are used to listen for siri, surrounding sounds (transparant), noise canceling etc. Imho thats fine.

I did simba’s test/trick and i also had the white noise disappearing. Only to re-appear when again changing settings (like chosing ‘transparant’ and back to ‘noise canceling’). Redoing hearing test the noise was gone again.

so it seems to work, but: i cannot test the quality of the noise canceling. What i suspect is that the airpods mics are set lower in sensitivity , so making less noise. The sensitivity normally seems really high, which might cause the white noise. I don’t really mind that, due to the way i use the airpods. With music on, the noise seems non-existent to me.

Mind you; i am one of few having no real issues at the moment, so not dismissing your experience.

so, yes, the simba hearing test ‘trick’ seems to work.

i suggest to make a genius appointment and get it replaced. My replacement had been issue free. But i am afraid to get Pro 3 for anyone at least right now. I got my Aunt a 4 with ANC instead.

It's amazing that after all the posts with complaints that no one has responded to whether or not they have tried a reset as I mention in my previous post. The firmware on my AirPods 3 was definitely updated/changed and I have no issue with screeching noise. In fact I have not heard it since. I haven't been back on an airplane where it was the worst but in general use it's not there. Getting a new pair with the same firmware as the first pair means your chances of the problem not being there is pretty low.

How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro - Apple Support

Try a reset and then post if it does not fix the issue or if it does. This way others will know what they should try.

APP2 same thing since apple released APP3. Seems like a firmware issue. Cleaned my ears, cleaned airpods at service center – same issue. Noise is louder in right one. Have read other topics about same issue with APP2 and APP3 – no solution. Waiting for the update

100% software issue! Them saying it’s the user is insane. Worked absolutely fine for a month. It’s clearly the adaptive noise control bugging out trying to filter noises and regurgitating horrible feedback

Let me know if at least the ‘off’ mode gives you usable airpods. Mine don’t squeal anymore; cleaned eartips, new firmware, pulled tips off, reinstalled them etc, all the tips here. But indeed: no squealing sofar (used all the modes, used them outside on a bike, inside etc).

left is the white noise sound; that comes with all the modes except ‘off’. It must be the built in mic being very sensitive. I assume it also makes the squealing sound, like a guitar in front of an amplifier . I only have problems with the right airpod, To me it seems that the mic in the left airpod is fine, and the right one is too sensitive or so. The white noise picked up by the mic could be my blood streaming. I don’t know.

it also seems to me the bad airpod sounds hollow, like a short slap reverb. I noticed this with tapping with my nail on both airpods, moving from top to bottom. The bad one has a more hollow, higher pitched sound, like it has no extra isolation or so. Can’t open them ofcourse. But that is one hardware difference i noticed between good and bad airpod.

i am not sure what to do with it, use transparent outside, cycling with wind flow. Rest of the time it’s on ‘off’. Other modes behave like transparent, so a tiny bit of audible white noise.

Weregus wrote:

😆 Please, Apple, don't use this information as a possible solution 🙏 Both cases are unfavorable.

As Apple doesn't read here for feedback or suggestions, it's unlikely that they will. You can give Apple feedback here:

Product Feedback - Apple

However, I think the better solution is to make a Genius Bar appointment if that's at all possible. The kind of problems you're describing are not how they are supposed to work.

100% not a sensitivity issue but a hardware one. The pro 3 are defective and Apple is not acknowledging it to avoid a marketing nightmare.

That said they did replace my AirPods with new ones and working now

This is what fixed it for me, too. I think it’s funny thinking about all of us perfectionists (including me) trying everything, announcing fixes that seem to work for a few (did they put their iPods back in the case?) but not for all … and then the solution turns out to be “put them back in the case for awhile.”

I also have this issue, I just wanted to share some commonalities with the other posters:

• I also have a fair amount of ear wax produced by my ears
• It happens with the left pod, always. I've already replaced it once with Apple Care, came back next time the ear bud got a bit of wax on it.
• I tried cleaning the AirPods according to Apple's guide with some success
• The last time I cleaned the pods pro-actively, the issue came back after I had cleaned them.

Now whenever I put the ear tip I get an annoying microphone feedback noise, as well as static noise. If I take the ear tip off, the annoying feedback goes away, but I can faintly hear the static still happening.

It feels like a mixture of a software bug, and hardware mis-caculation (a bit of ear wax is disturbing some balancing between the in-built mic and speaker). Apple, please fix your product. I never had this issue with my Pro 2's and they have been through alot.

I read someone replaced them three times and all models had this “issue”. I myself bought another pair and they still had the white noise sound. It’s a manufacturing problem.

I noticed the same thing. I upgraded from the Pro 1 and never had this issue there.

i noticed that if you enable switch the mode to „off“ the white noise is gone. But in transparency and ANC it’s very present and very annoying when trying to listen music at a lower volume

+1 on this. Especially for the comparison with AirPods Pro 2.

AirPods Pro 2 have a white noise too, but it is barely noticeable.

AirPods Pro 3 have a very noticeable white noise in ANC/Transparency. You can clearly hear this noise appear and disappear when switching to "OFF" mode, back and forth.

Same issue. I’ve been using AirPods Pro since 1st gen and never had an issue with white noise. I just bought mine a few hours ago and I can hear the constant white noise on ANC, transparency and adaptive mode. Very irritating and there does not seem to be a solution. I’ve tried all the ear tips, adjusting accessibility settings and the sound is still there. Very noticeable when no audio is playing and slightly less (but still present) when music is playing. I’ll have to return them and hope they find a fix. Thankfully I still have my AirPods Pro 2.

I have purchased airpods pro 3 on 4th October. The sudden high pitch sound was less noticeable at the beginning but after yesterdays update its persistent and sometimes stays for few seconds which is unbearable.

Also if i try to adjust the left earbud the same high pitch noise occur.

Its the left bud only which has the issue.

I hope they fix it with an update. Till then going back to old one.

Have the same issue. Constant low level noise, which I assume is connected to ANC. There is no option to turn this off! Only ANC, Transparency or Adaptive. In the dead of night, listening to podcast quietly, the hiss is louder than the spoken word! Totally unacceptable.

Gaurantee Apple will not acknowledge unless it gets picked up by a media outlet.

There is no pattern of specific "defective devices" and so Apple will not acknowledge that their ANC programming is suboptimal for a subset of customers with specific ear physiologies (even though this was not an issue for APP2s). For this reason, it will be avoidance (again, unless picked up by media).

I too have this problem with Airpods Pro 3. They make a clear hissing noise in Noise Cancellation, Adaptive, and Transparency modes. It disappears in Off mode. I've tested the acoustic seal repeatedly; it's OK. And the firmware is the latest version, 8A358.

I never experienced anything similar with Airpods Pro 1, from which I have upgraded.

Yesterday I bought a couple of AirPods Pro 3, one for me and one for my father. I tested both myself, and in both cases, I experienced the same problem. A white noise sound was audible while any active sound mode was enabled (e.g., transparency, noise cancellation). I returned to the Apple Store, and they replaced one of them to determine if it was a problem with the product. However, when I tested them at home, I experienced the same white noise sound. I just bought a new AirPods Pro 2 on Amazon to make a comparison, but if the 2 works well, I will return the 3 to the store. I'm tired of trying unfinished Apple products 😩 This year, between the scratchable Chameleon iPhone and the Liquid Glass operative system, I have the feeling that we are just paying to experiment with a what-if Apple experience.

My AirPods Pro 1 had the design flaw that caused them to produce a cracking noise. I have had enough bad experiences with noisy headsets for a lifetime. I want something that sounds good and makes no noise. So, if I have to stick with the 2 until you release a functional AirPods Pro, I will wait. You are not particularly customer-friendly when the solution involves replacing the poorly designed headphones every year, or when the noise reappears, rather than replacing them once and for all with an AirPods Pro 2.

I finally returned my 3 and bought a 2. The noise was hurting my ears, and after removing them, I still had a residual noise in my head. I noticed something, though. Some noises started after doing a hearing test. Maybe that did something to the noise cancellation system 🤔

The “off” option can be put back; scroll down at the airpod pro 3’s settings screen (accessible via bluetooth or the airpods option in “settings”). Scroll way down to “listening modus off” and switch in on; the “off” option is back.

I've not used the 'Off' mode yet, but it seems a bit silly to buy these earphones and not use the various modes. But I'll give it a try tomorrow. The squealing occurs in both left and right ear. It also appears when changing modes. Whichever way I put the tips in (firmly, twisting, not twisting, lightly, etc, etc), the squealing occurs. Funny thing is, they start out OK the next day, only to squeal again a couple of hours later. Like I said before (user name 'trueblue53'), I'm on my third pair now. Puzzling.

Hi everyone,

Got exactly the same issue

Ocean like static white noise while in transparency mode,and way more marked on noise cancellation mode.

Done all the trouble shooting and nothing changed,noise still there.

Just finished to talk with the apple support, they booked me a genius bar appointment,that will probably end in a replacement,as bought them quite recently. Also it seems to be an unknown issue to apple related to the pro 3 gen.

Same problem here.

I came from the AirPods Pro 1 and needed to replace them to improve ANC and battery life.

I tried the new ones quickly during my lunch break at the office yesterday and they seemed spectacular. But the moment I got home, wearing the AirPods with the music stopped and only a few background noises, my worst nightmare began… white noise. I know I have fairly sensitive ears, but I had never experienced this issue with the AirPods Pro 1, otherwise I would have thrown them away years ago. I tried not to think about it, maybe I was just tired… but once I was in bed listening to Audible at a fairly low volume, I couldn’t stop focusing on the white noise. It got to the point where I put the AP3 away and went back to the AP1.

I spent the whole morning on forums and I see this isn’t an isolated case. Of course, in ‘off’ mode the noise disappears, and I’ll probably use that setting at night, but I’m still undecided whether to hope for a firmware update or just return them and say goodbye. The sound quality is definitely better, and the sleep detection feature that stops playback when you fall asleep is exactly what I need. But since I already suffer from tinnitus in one ear, I really don’t want to know what it would feel like to have it in both…

UPDATE:

Quick update… I started playing around a bit with the positioning of the AirPods and it seems, again, it SEEMS that the white noise disappears when the earbuds don’t completely seal the ear canal opening. Can you let me know if I’m going crazy or if this is actually the case?

Thanks!!

I tried without eartips, it seems a bit less noise, but still hear it.

In my airpods I hear this noise in every mode contact, adaptive and noise reduction. It only disappears at the moment when I'm starting hearing test, after theese questions aboiut age, and health the noise disappears

I have AirPod pro 2 & 3 both bought new from Apple. The AirPod 3 are worse in two ways: 1) they are less ergonomic; they are longer and jut out the ear until I push them to be more flush, and 2) they keep making robotic noises and distorting what’s playing while trying to noise cancel. The 2s did this once in a while but the 3s do this ALL THE TIME. Multiple times whenever I am out walking with them. They better do a software update to fix this :/

Something I’ve noticed about the Hearing Test trick:

Even though this workaround removes the static, I did notice that the ANC strength feels reduced afterward. It’s still clearly active (and much stronger than the Off mode), but it does seem a bit weaker than the default ANC before doing the trick.

It seems like something about the ANC initialization after the Hearing Test resets whatever is causing the static, but also slightly alters the ANC and reduces it.

Very weird and should be fixed by Apple.

So, on December 22nd, and using version 8B28, which I believe is the latest one, there is still background noise when ANC is enabled. After attempting the hearing test as suggested, the noise level remained unchanged, and although I read the latest update for the AirPods Pro 3 is said to fix the noise problem, the AirPods Pro 2 are still affected. I don't want to buy a v3 because I'm concerned about being stuck with two products affected by the same issue, so the only option for me now is to wait for a new update that fixes the problem. Please, Apple, take this seriously because the moment I stop using the headphones, the noise remains in my ears for a while. I don't want to have permanent hearing damage due to the background noise of the ANC. As I understand, in complete silence, I shouldn't hear any sound in my ears, even with the ANC active.

In the thread "High pitched noise on AirPods Pro 3", there are more shared experiences about this problem. I thought the problem was solved by using 3rd party eartips but: Alas. This morning, out of the blue, the 'feedback' squeal once again rang in my right ear before I had a chance to test out the original Apple eartips. So this problem, for me, also occurs with the 3rd party 'Comply MAX' eartips (medium size). I was riding an electrical bike, not sweating, temperature outside was near freezing, the EarPods were in 'transparency' mode and I was listening to a podcast. It did seem like something 'popped' in my ear but I could be wrong. Small consolation, I had a spotless week with the AP3 before circumstances apparently changed for the worse. What a bummer. I'll return my (fourth!) AP3 set to Apple tomorrow. Back to my trusted AP2... grmbl.

diegofromcerritos wrote:

Apple really should post something more official here as we're otherwise just all posting what works for us and looking confused...

Apple engineers do not frequent these forums as they are only user-to-user forums. We're all just end users like yourself. If you want to make your concerns known to Apple user this link: AirPods feedback.  

i thought it was just my feedback they were deleting. Ridiculous. I returned mine and got the AirPod pro 2 gen 2. Far better

I got my ears cleared out AND bought a new pair of AirPods and none of it worked. I’m just gonna get my money back and buy the pro 2’s

I have the exact same issue with my 3 day old AirPod pro 3’s. Low level hiss/white noise. I’ve commented here to make a record of this issue with apple and link to this thread.

the hiss is there regardless of mode weather ANC is activated or not.

these things ain’t cheap, let’s hope there’s a fix soon as it’s rather annoying and kind of defeats the whole noise cancelling experience.

Same for me. AirPods Pro 3 bought yesterday. Made in Vietnam. White noise in both the left and right earbuds. Clearly audible in a quiet room, clearly audible with quiet music or a podcast. The first time I noticed white noise was in the AirPods Pro 2, but it was much quieter compared to the third generation. The first-generation AirPods Pro were completely free of noise; when I bought the AirPods Pro 2, I noticed white noise for the first time. In the AirPods Pro 3, the noise is the loudest of all three generations. So loud that it’s disturbing when listening to podcasts in a quiet room. I am very dissatisfied with this!

I'm having the exact same issue. Static background noise when in Transparency/ANC mode. My first experience with ANC earphones & I'm not happy at all. I've scouted around online and tried the suggested fixes - toggling conversation boost, resetting the earphones, turning custom transparency settings on & off - nothing helps. I really wish I hadn't bought these things.

I am having the static issue when on phone calls, but I don't hear it when using apps or music. VERY irritating to spend that kind of money for them to not be as good quality as my Pro 2. I hope Apple fixes this somehow. I also have the latest software update already. I had to do that just to get the noise cancelling feature to work.

Same here. I used to have the QC Bose, which sounded really good, but I switched because the new AirPods Pro 3 offer better sound quality and a much better microphone than the Bose (which they do). However, this white noise in both ears is extremely annoying. In my case, it only happens when I’m listening to music, not when paused. Mine are made in Vietnam. I hope this can be resolved through a software update soon.

I'm experiencing the same thing with my one week old APP3 that I bought to upgrade from APP2. I never experienced the same (or even a similar) problem with my APP1s or APP2s. When I first put the AirPods in my ears, the hissing noise is quite loud. It then levels off at a steady, low volume constant statistic. It is very annoying when there is nothing playing, and less noticeable when something is playing. But once you first become aware of the low-level background static / white noise / hissing, it becomes quite obtrusive to a good listener experience.

The situation has me disappointed in Apple (for the first time ever) for charging the same premium price I've become accustomed to paying for the superior customer experience & highest quality products. Here's to hoping that it's a software / firmware issue that can be corrected. If they don't acknowledge the issue soon, I'm unfortunately going to have to return the hardware.

Yeah I’m seeing so many reviews of the AirPods and non of them mention it, I started to wonder if I was the only one hearing it. I already bought another pair but it still has the same problem. I love the noise cancellation and the sound quality of the AirPods but the floor noise/static noise is such a bummer especially when these AirPods are almost 300 dollars.

There’s dozens of forum posts floating around now citing the same issues — this is more than some fringe subset of people with odd sensitivities. We’re now a month out from release. Apple probably won’t respond or acknowledge this unless it gets picked up by a significant tech blog or the media.

I also hear the static noise in both left and right. It may have come after the latest firmware update. It will suit Apple to acknowledge if there is a firmware problem or is set as expected before many of us are going to return it.

Same thing and unfortunately I went ahead and returned them - started wearing 2s again. There wasn’t much difference for me personally to begin with. Sure ANC was nice but that static noise? Nope. And based on what I know about Apple it’s better to solve the problem yourself than wait for their act.

Also experiencing this errant white noise issue. I was super excited to use my new APP3 on a flight (737-800) and immediately disappointed by the unacceptable performance while in Noise Cancelling mode (not playing any audio). The noise canceling “noise” continues to change like random sounds waves. Unbearable for more than a few minutes.

Same issue with static, primarily in left earbud, product OOTB. Will contact Apple for troubleshooting, likely have to return product. Luckily still have 2 weeks to return this product. Disappointing.

Apple should confirm whether they are working on a fix or whether customers should simply return their purchase.

—

Has anyone had any luck exchanging it for a new one? Or does it just has the same hissing problem. ?

My left AirPod started doing this today out of nowhere, I tried all troubleshooting and it stopped the high pitched sound but the crackling and ocean noise won’t stop. They’ve told me to go to the store to have them looked it, but the high pitched noise was so loud it perforated my eardrum. My ear started bleeding and it’s been ringing ever since

I face severe ear pain with cracking noise on my product purchased in India , ( first product purchased on launch day and it’s a big mistake )delivered to me on 18-Sep , my airpod pro 3 is at service center since 18-Oct (21 days now ) and Apple tried replacing new left & right pods to have the issue exist .. they don’t have solution yet to this weird design issue .. I had requested cash back .. ( my AirPod pro first generation was seem less for more than 2-3 yrs before I lost it , I regret losing it now ) .. Apple removed my post today for adding this feedback on AirPod pro 3 which is really bad

I used my AirPods Pro 2 for a few hours yesterday (experiencing the same noise issue as the 3 I returned), and when I removed them from my ears, I was left with a persistent noise that lasted until this morning. Could the headphones with this defect potentially harm my ears? I don't want to start having noises in my head 😖

Well... I'm on y third (!) pair of Airpods Pro 3 now, got the latest pair from the Apple Store in The Hague this morning. The previous two pairs started 'squealing' after a couple of hours of use which rendered them unusable. Changing modes didn't help. My ears are clean (doctor checked the other day.. grin). So there you are. I don't hold out much hope that this 3rd pair will improve anything. However, the firmware is still on 8A358, maybe a newer firmware version will help. I already confessed to the 'Genius' this morning that if problems re-occur with this 3rd pair, I'll then have the sale nullified and will go back to a pair of AP Pro 2. Hopefully, I'll be able to find a decent refurbished set. That would be my first time that I return an Apple product. Call me lucky.. <g>

I’m waiting for 2 pod replacement by Apple after 10 days for mail discussion between apple authorised service centre and Apple back end technical team .. they hope replacing pod out of pod will make this crackling / squealing noise disappear .. appears like apple do not have any idea of the issue technically and keep replacing pods .. I’m 6 days short from a month since I submitted my AirPod with Apple authorised service center in India .. waiting for the magic

Without noise cancellation, they have no wite noise or cracking sounds, but I hear myself swallowing, breathing, walking, and pumping blood through my ears, so they lose their magic. It's even worse than having white noise 😆 Please, Apple, don't use this information as a possible solution 🙏 Both cases are unfavorable.

Thanks a lot, @IdrisSeabright, for your advice. Based on the number of posts I had deleted, I was certain Apple was monitoring this forum 😆 I'll try to speak with the Genius Bar at my local Apple Store. If that does not work, I'll return them. I don't want to end up deaf because of an incorrect operation of the headset 😖

Weregus wrote:

Based on the number of posts I had deleted, I was certain Apple was monitoring this forum

The Hosts only monitor the forum to make sure that everyone abides by the Terms of Use.

I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time. I've had AirPods (original), AirPod Pro, AirPod Pro 2, and now the 3. The 3 is amazing. It's also the first time I haven't had to MacGyver something so that they would stay in my ears.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time...

Thanks. I also got the first AirPods Pro, and the experience was terrific. My best audio experience in years, but then, the cracking noise started, and I asked Apple for help. They replaced my AirPods Pro with new ones that had the same design flaw. After one year, the new ones began to make cracking noises again, but they told me that it was no longer their problem, despite knowing it was a design flaw with one of the parts that allowed dirt to accumulate and cause noise. So I wait one generation. And I bought the AirPod Pro 3 with hope, trusting in Apple and its expertise. And what I got. A different kind of noise, and not only in the new AirPods Pro 3, but also in the old AirPods Pro 2. And the only answer I got in the Apple Store was, "We are going to replace them, but if they make noise, it's not the headphones, it's you, and you shouldn't replace them again because when you return them, we cannot put them back on sale, so you are impacting the environment. It's your problem, or your device's problem, not the headphones' problem. You are one of the few sensitive people incompatible with the product". More or less.

I'm really sorry if I've been a little bit grumpy, but I noticed the same problem I had with the first AirPods Pro in the new ones, and remembering all the time and effort invested in fixing them made me feel exhausted. I didn't want to go through all that again to end up with a dead product in my desk drawer. I want the same Apple-like experience I had with my first AirPods Pro. I want a product that I can enjoy without being afraid of the moment it fails.

Weregus wrote:

I'm really sorry if I've been a little bit grumpy, but I noticed the same problem I had with the first AirPods Pro in the new ones, and remembering all the time and effort invested in fixing them made me feel exhausted. I didn't want to go through all that again to end up with a dead product in my desk drawer. I want the same Apple-like experience I had with my first AirPods Pro. I want a product that I can enjoy without being afraid of the moment it fails.

No worries! Like wearing uncomfortable shoes, using uncomfortable headphones will make anyone grumpy. Especially if they were expensive.

What a pity that the latest firmware doesn’t solve your problem. I’m on my 3rd pair since a couple of days and 10 minutes ago, the squealing noise started. So that pair is also unusable. I switched ANC (and the other modes) off and that got rid of the squealing but it’s a bit silly to do that. Cheaper earphones sound better than AirPods Pro 3 with those capabilities switched off. So I made my 3rd appointment with the Genius Bar and in all likelihood will ask for a refund. What a shame.

1 month of frustration without my EarPods and discussions with apple support in India ( sophisticated teams who never mind or track high ageing issues ) - requested refund today including Apple care cost ..

So far ,

2 set of EarPods replacements done by apple service centre in India

and still they are evaluating based on Apple technical team guidance - crackling or squealing noises on both ear pod still exists- looks like Apple globally do not have any idea about it and not let it in open .. “ STRANGE … THAT NONE OF

THE SO CALLED INFLUENCERS PICKED THIS SO FAR “ .. recent software update for ear pod seems didn’t help either .. Clueless service centre in Chennai , India.

I have replaced my AirPods Pro 3 THREE times. All 3 exhibited the same problem, a high pitched squealing ('feedback') noise after a couple of hours of use. The noise is painful to the ears and renders the device unusable. I have an appointment with someone at the Genius Bar this coming Thursday and I'll return the AirPods. I will also ask for a refund and will go back to a couple of AirPods Pro2. A great shame.

Update after 32 days of investigation on my Ear pod 3 pro by Apple service centre and Apple back end technical team , India -

* Root cause for the squealing or crackling noise is still unknown in all 2 replaced ear pods + 1 purchased one submitte for complaint .

* Apple support team in India says no refund possible in India , only Apple care + will be refunded

* Apple support team gave me only 1 option which is replacement which I was forced to accept

* Apple Support team needs 14 days to complete replacement ( 47 days in total since I submitted my EarPod for repair )

* Apple support don’t have answer what if the issues repeats on replaced product ? My inner voice says - are you dare enough to wait for another 45 days

• MESSAGE AND LEARNING : Apple support team ensures your are handled professionally and drags for almost a month even for replacement ( with or without apple care warranty ) and you will feel next time why I took this path
• when going good with product & design - all is well , when it ends with issues - don’t you dare to come to at us ( Apple support next time , mind it ) ..

Regret purchasing at launch date ,interestingly no influencers I follow has picked this issue yet .. very strange

My ordeal continues with Apple India support team for last 41 days ( escalating & talking themselves by holding my product at their authorised service centres in Chennai) .. Apple support team after replacing both the ear pods twice and now agreed to replace

with full box piece( with no option & willingness , no choice of refund in India) .. since 71 days from purchase including additional Apple car + ( Apple India investigated my product for 38 days with them , so far no root cause communicated ) .. prepared for another 14 with Apple India process for replacement & refund of Apple care + .. one of the poorest customer care I have ever come across in India ( Apple India Support Team based in India. sure to lose more customers for their lethargic way of handling of customers , India consumer forums are so weak & lengthy to drag them ) I’m looking at Bose pods already as my replacement .. not ready to buy a newer AirPod pro 2 ( which I have been using last 2 yrs) due tho poor customer care at back end .. I heard many customers who had similar problem are reluctant to submit their product due to long lead time by Apple India customer care & their service duration - easy way to fizzle out the heat

i got similar issues with tha AirPods Pro3.

even more annoying is the fact that the case and the headphones itself seem to decharge quickly even when not in use. Even more annoying, the headphones will not charge when in case.

they are both draining battery without reaching 100%.

sorry Apple, but what have you done here?

I expect a quick software update asap !!!

I was about to send them back, but this literally fixed the problem. I really hope they fix it in the next update, because Pro 3 is literally perfect in loud environments, just have this issue at home...

Thank you

I tried this and its exactly how u describe the white sound disappears after I do the test and cancel it but as soon as cycle it or remove one of the AirPods from my ears it goes into transparency and then white noise returns, do u still have this issue?

Just confirming I have the same issues with my AAP3 headphones I bought three days ago. Worked just fine for three days, then randomly- out of the blue I start to get the microphonic feedback chirping sounds everybody else is getting. No idea what it is, but like everyone else has said, that AirPods Pro 2s never had the same issue. Seems like something unique to the new headphones. Would love to love these headphones, Apple.

Should also add- like many users, the issue is in the right unit exclusively. Left works just fine and doesn't seem to be the result of a physiological difference in my ears. You can hear it feeding back even before it's placed all the way in the ear

Same for me. Got them friday and since I can hear this white noise/hissing/static noise in both airpods,equal.

Hope to be a firmware issue and not an hardware one!

I have tired resetting them and I’m sure most here have too. I can say from my experience that resetting them and updating them to the latest software did not work.

I have the Same Problem it is always doing a acute Sound in the canceling Mode… Hope you guys fix it otherwise ill Go back to Sony xm6…

I also hear the white noise especially in my left AirPod Pro 3, but if I pay more attention it's also in the right AirPod. I hope this can be fixed by a software update!

Same issue here. I’m also returning mine and keeping the 2nd Gen. :(

I have set up another appointment with Apple. Will see what they will do. M

I’ve had 2 brand new pairs the new ones are squealing/feeding back too. Awful

Same issue here. New firmware was released today by Apple, 8B25, and the issue still persists.