Fix Audio Crackling, Pops, or Drop-Outs on Mac After Updating to macOS Tahoe (26)

After upgrading to macOS Tahoe 26/26.0.1, many users report crackling/popping, warbly/slow audio, brief drop-outs, or a single channel (often right speaker) dying after sleep/restart. This shows up on M1–M4 Macs (and some Intel), across built-in speakers, AirPods/Bluetooth, wired headphones, USB speakers, and HDMI/Thunderbolt audio via docks/displays, like using TV as a display.

We’ve been tracking multiple Tahoe issues lately. See our related pieces:

The issue:

After upgrading to macOS Tahoe 26, many users have reported audio problems such as crackling, popping, garbled sound, or short drop-outs. In some cases, one speaker–most commonly the right channel–stops working after the Mac wakes from sleep or restarts.

The issue affects a wide range of models, including M1, M2, M3, and M4 Macs (Air, Pro, and Studio), as well as some Intel systems. It occurs with both built-in speakers and external audio outputs like AirPods and Bluetooth devices, wired headphones, HDMI or Thunderbolt displays, and USB speakers or docks.

These glitches often appear under CPU or memory pressure, for instance when using Xcode, VS Code, Safari with multiple tabs, or during video calls, and are more common when the Mac is connected to docks or external monitors.

Fixes

Follow these troubleshooting steps in this order to fix Audio Crackling, Pops, or Drop-Outs on Mac After Updating to macOS Tahoe (26):

Toggle your output device (fastest reset): Go to System Settings > Sound > Output, switch to another device, then switch back. If these settings greyed our, see this article.
Power-cycle the audio path:
Unplug/replugUSB/Thunderbolt/HDMI speakers, docks, or displays.
For Bluetooth/AirPods: turn Bluetooth off/on, then re-connect.
Reduce the trigger load briefly:
Close heavy tools for a moment (Xcode, Simulator Canvas Preview, long Safari sessions, VS Code, video calls).
Many reports tie glitches to CPU or memory pressure.
Change sample rate in Audio MIDI Setup:
Open Audio MIDI Setup (you can use Spotlight or open Applications)> select your output device > try 48,000 Hz or 96,000 Hz. Note: Tahoe changed the Launcpad.
Some users found 96 kHz reduces artifacts; you can switch back later.
Restart CoreAudio:
Open Terminal and run the following code:
sudo killall coreaudiod
Enter your Mac password (you won’t see characters as you type).
Audio typically recovers instantly. Relief can last minutes to hours, varies by load.
Give CoreAudio higher CPU priority:
Open Terminal and enter the following code:
sudo renice -20 $(pgrep coreaudiod)
Helps some users under heavy load by reducing buffer underruns.
Persists only until reboot or the next CoreAudio restart.
When the right (or left) speaker crackles or goes silent after wake:
Run Step 5 to restart CoreAudio.
A full reboot may temporarily restore it; if it returns after the next sleep, it’s likely the same software bug others report.
Keeping the Mac awake prevents it for some users (not ideal, but it suggests a power-management/driver issue, not hardware).
HDMI / Thunderbolt displays & docks (OWC, etc.):
Disconnect the dock/monitor for 10–15 seconds, then reconnect.
If the monitor has its own soundbar/TV device, try another port/cable, or route audio to Mac speakers or headphones as a stopgap.
Bluetooth & AirPods:
Forget and re-pair the headphones (Bluetooth >** i** > Forget This Device; then re-pair).
If audio slows/crackles, quickly toggling Bluetooth or re-selecting the output often resets it for a bit.