Earbuds Crackling or Static Noise

• Restart your Device/Earbuds: Often, restarting the device is enough to fix the issue. Restarting your device also restarts the underlying software controlling services like Bluetooth, clearing up any temporary glitches impeding Bluetooth functionality, resulting in poor audio quality.
• Check Steaming Settings: One possibility is that your audio playback is set to the minimum playback setting to conserve data, assuming your streaming. Check that audio playback quality is set to high or very high in your music streaming service for the best quality.
• Test with other wireless devices: This will help determine if this is an issue with your earbuds or the sound source’s Bluetooth module. If your sound source is staticky after a restart, the issue might be with your sound source.
• Update your device: Updating your device can help resolve any software conflicts that might be causing issues with how your device handles Bluetooth functionality.

Other nearby Bluetooth devices or wireless signals, such as wireless routers or access points, can cause interference, reducing the signal strength or causing connection conflicts.

• Move your Audio Source: Ensure your audio source isn't near any signal-generating hardware, such as wireless routers, access points, or streaming hardware, such as cable boxes, Apple TVs, Roku, Amazon Firesticks, etc.
• Decrease Distance from Audio Source: Being too far from your audio source or having physical barriers between you and it can weaken the Bluetooth signal, preventing a successful connection. Try to get as close to your audio source as possible, or at least try to be in the same room.

If you encounter a decrease in bass sound or an increase in background noise when using Noise Cancellation, your earbuds may require cleaning. Noise cancellation works by using external microphones to detect ambient noise, then generating an "anti-noise" wave that is the inverse of the original sound wave, effectively canceling it. If the external microphones become dirty, this can affect how well your Noise Cancellation works.

1. Add a small amount of micellar water to a cup.
2. Dip a soft-bristle toothbrush in the cup of micellar water until the bristles are fully saturated.
3. Hold your earbuds with the mesh facing up.
4. Gently brush the mesh in circles for about 15 seconds.
5. Turn over your earbud and blot it on a microfiber cloth. Ensure the cloth contacts the mesh.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 twice (three times total) for each mesh you would like to clean.
7. To rinse off the micellar water, rinse the brush with distilled water, then repeat steps 1-5 with distilled water for each mesh you cleaned.
8. Allow your earbuds to dry completely before you place them in the charging case or use them.

Bluetooth devices generate keys and metadata stored on your phone for automatic connection. On Android, this data is written in a system file typically named bt_config.xml, while on iOS, pairing information is stored in a secure part of the system's storage and integrated with the keychain and Secure Enclave. If this data is lost or corrupted, re-pairing is recommended.

1. Go to your device’s Bluetooth settings.
2. Find your earbuds in the list of paired devices.
3. Select Forget Device and confirm.
4. Put the earbuds back into pairing mode and reconnect to your audio source.

Firmware is specialized software embedded in your earbuds that enables communication between hardware and software. In many cases, outdated firmware might have glitches that lead to frequent disconnections or pairing failures. If your earbuds support it, try updating their firmware.

1. Ensure that your AirPods are within Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac connected to Wi-Fi. Place your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid.
2. Connect the charging cable to the charging case and plug the other end into a USB charger or port. If you're trying to update your AirPods Max, you will plug your headphones in.
3. Wait for the firmware to update for at least 30 minutes. Don't open your AirPods case during this time.
4. Reopen the charging case lid to reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You can verify the firmware version once more through your Bluetooth settings.

1. Insert the earbuds into the charging case, leaving the lid open.
2. Navigate to and open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone or tablet, and then tap Earbud settings or About earbuds.
3. Tap the Earbuds software update, and then tap Download and install. If an update is available, the update process will begin.

In some instances where updating the firmware isn't possible, you might need to factory reset your earbuds.

If, during troubleshooting, you notice physical damage to your earbuds' speakers, you might need to consider repairing them. Earbuds have a lengthy and tempestuous history when it comes to repairability. However, if you have some micro-soldering skills, consider checking out some of our incredible guides.