Airpods Pro Squeaking When Moving [5 Troubleshooting Tips]
In this article i discuss about airpods pro squeaking when moving? Having AirPods that make squeaking noises when you move can be annoying and concerning. This comprehensive guide will walk you through potential causes and solutions to stop AirPods Pro from squeaking.
Common Causes of Squeaking AirPods Pro
There are a few typical culprits behind AirPods that squeak during movement:
- Loose or misaligned eartips
- Buildup of earwax or debris
- Issues with the mesh earbud cover
- Problems with the AirPod itself
Let’s explore each cause further.
Loose or Misaligned Eartips
The most common reason AirPods Pro make noise is because the eartip fits improperly or becomes loose over time.
AirPods Pro come with three sizes of soft, flexible silicone tips that conform to the unique shape of your ear. A secure seal is crucial for audio quality, noise cancellation, and comfort.
If the eartip doesn’t perfectly match your ear canal or becomes loose, it can rub against the sides of your ear when you move your jaw. This creates a squeaking friction noise.
Earwax Buildup
Earwax naturally accumulates inside the ear canal and on the AirPod mesh covering. When compressed between the eartip and ear canal, it can cause squeaking with movement.
The earwax can also harden over time, creating a waxy debris inside the eartip or on the earbud itself. This debris interrupts the seal and allows odd sounds during motion.
Damaged Earbud Cover
The AirPods Pro earbuds have a fine protective mesh covering the speaker. If this mesh becomes torn or separated, it can vibrate against the eartip and produce noise.
The mesh is delicate and prone to damage if the AirPod is dropped or compressed. A separated or loose mesh flap essentially creates an internal squeak toy!
AirPod Hardware Issues
In rarer cases, the noise comes from within the AirPod hardware itself. Components can become loose or misaligned, causing them to rub or vibrate oddly during movement.
Issues with the integrated microphone, active noise canceling module, or battery can also produce atypical sounds.
5 Troubleshooting Guide
Now that you know the potential issues behind squeaking AirPods, here is a systematic process to troubleshoot the problem:
1. Check Eartip Fit and Adjustment
Start by analyzing the silicone eartip. Follow these steps:
- Remove the AirPod and inspect the tip:
- Verify it is clean with no wax buildup or debris
- Check for any damage like tears or cracks
- Reinsert the AirPod with a gentle twisting motion to achieve a secure fit
- Open and close your jaw to listen for noise
- Try adjusting the AirPod angle and insertion depth
- Angle the speaker mesh towards front or back of ear
- Push AirPod slightly deeper or shallower
- Still hearing squeaking? It may be time to size up or down in eartip
2. Clean AirPods and Eartips Thoroughly
If adjusting the tip fit doesn’t help, give your AirPods and eartips an intensive cleaning:
- Remove ear tips from AirPods
- Submerge and swirl ear tip in warm soapy water
- Use cotton swabs dipped in alcohol to scrub away stubborn debris inside eartip
- Check AirPod speaker mesh for wax buildup or tears
- Gently brush debris away with dry cotton swab
- Rinse all soap residue before reattaching clean, dry ear tips to AirPods
This should eliminate any problematic buildup causing the noise. Reinsert AirPods and listen for squeaking during jaw motion.
3. Examine AirPods for Damage
If cleaning didn’t fix the issue, closely check AirPods themselves for damage:
- Inspect the mesh earbud cover for separation or tears
- Look for cracks or dents on the AirPod casing
- Check if noise cancellation/transparency modes sound normal
- Review audio quality – is one side louder or muffled?
- Toggle between active noise canceling and off modes for difference in sound
You may notice additional odd sounds pointing to hardware damage as the culprit.
4. Reset AirPods and Update Software
Before further troubleshooting hardware issues, try rebooting the software:
- On your iOS device, open Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings
- Also reset your iOS network settings for good measure
- Update iOS software and AirPods firmware to latest versions
- Re-pair AirPods with Bluetooth device
- Test for popping/squeaking noises again after reset
This clears out any software bugs that could be contributing to the odd sounds.
5. Contact Apple Support
If software resets don’t eliminate the squeaking, the issue likely stems from physical AirPods damage requiring repair or replacement:
- Book a Genius Bar appointment at an Apple Store for further diagnosis
- Alternatively, contact Apple Support by phone or chat to troubleshoot remotely
- Be ready to answer questions about when noise started, troubleshooting steps tried, and any events that could have caused physical damage
- Apple Support can run diagnostics and determine if AirPods require service due to hardware issue
Apple may be able to repair only affected components, or replace one/both earbuds entirely under warranty if damage explains sounds.
Preventing Future AirPod Squeaking Issues
Start by cleaning your AirPods and eartips thoroughly – remove built-up earwax or debris. Then ensure eartips fit securely with a gentle twisting motion on insertion. Try adjusting the angle and depth of AirPods in your ears. If the issue persists, replace old tips or contact Apple Support about possible hardware damage needing repair.
While occasional squeaking may come down to getting used to the fit, you can take proactive measures to avoid regular issues:
- Always keep AirPods and eartips clean
- Remove wax and debris before it builds up
- Disinfect with alcohol wipes to prevent germ/moisture buildup
- Inspect for small tears on mesh cover and casing damage after drops
- Consider adding protective skin or case to dampen impact of falls
- Replace eartips once they become loose or hardened
- Toggle noise cancellation and spatial audio settings occasionally to keep components moving
- Update firmware when new versions available
- Avoid exposing AirPods to moisture outside of cleaning to limit potential internal corrosion
Making device care and maintenance a regular habit will keep AirPods in optimum shape!
When to Seek Repair for Noisy AirPods
Occasional muffled sounds or pops during adjustment are normal. However, you should seek help if AirPods have:
- Frequent squeaking or rattling noises when moving jaw or head
- Scratchy audio quality or significant sound difference between earbuds
- Issues with noise cancellation quality
- Damage like dents, cracks, or leaking battery acid
- Had a recent incident of water exposure or being dropped
These symptoms likely indicate hardware damage or a faulty component. Make an appointment at the Genius Bar or with an authorized service provider. Repairs may be covered if still under standard 1-year Apple warranty.
Bottom Line
Airpods pro squeaking when moving!! A few troubleshooting tweaks can typically resolve minor AirPod squeaking. But recurrent noise points to improper fit or actual device damage needing repair by a professional. With some diligent maintenance and care when wearing, your AirPods can enjoy a long squeak-free life!
I hope this guide gave you some ideas on how to troubleshoot annoying AirPods Pro squeaking. Let me know if you have any other questions!