How to fix AirPods Pro 3 noise issues?

I have been an AirPods Pro user since the 1st gen. I was excited to upgrade from my 2nd gen to the new and “everything is better” AirPod pro 3. I quickly noticed that there is a constant low volume white noise / static / hissing type sound, whether I am in transparency or ANC mode. It is less apparent with media playing but still there. It is such an obvious difference from my AirPod pro 2 that at first I thought there was a fan on nearby or it was raining outside. Quick search online shows I am not the only one experiencing this issue with the new AirPod Pro’s 3.


Did all the troubleshooting steps with support to no avail (different ear tips, resetting / re-pairing device etc etc). Others online have mentioned they already did an exchange with no change. I am open to suggestions.

It seems like a possible software issue fixable with a firmware update, until then I will return my pro 3 and go back to my pro 2’s.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: AirPods Pro 3 - static / white noise / hissing

Posted on Sep 23, 2025 8:01 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 13, 2025 12:04 PM

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.

89 replies

Nov 22, 2025 5:04 AM in response to DonDzonson

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.





Dec 3, 2025 10:03 PM in response to DonDzonson

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.


Oct 9, 2025 11:26 AM in response to stefromcolorado springs

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.


Nov 12, 2025 8:46 AM in response to erikcoolen

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.




Nov 12, 2025 12:45 PM in response to Weregus

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.

Oct 7, 2025 12:41 PM in response to stefromcolorado springs

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.

Oct 9, 2025 4:00 AM in response to stefromcolorado springs

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.

How to fix AirPods Pro 3 noise issues?

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