Troubleshooting AirPods Pro Noise Cancellation Problems

Some AirPods Pro owners have run into issues with their earbuds, and there have been numerous complaints about Active Noise Cancellation failing to work properly or becoming degraded after firmware updates. This guide covers the problem and provides troubleshooting steps recommended by Apple as a potential fix.

airpodsprodesigncase
Since the launch of the 2B588 firmware for the ‌AirPods Pro‌ in November 2019, there have been complaints about Active Noise Cancellation issues, which some believe have gotten worse with each firmware update.

This is not a problem experienced by all users, though the people who are affected believe that the Active Noise Cancellation properties of the ‌AirPods Pro‌ have been downgraded since launch.

AirPods PRo isolated
The current version of the ‌AirPods Pro‌ firmware is 2D15, and there have been mixed reports on whether the update fixes the problem, as some people report improved Noise Cancellation and others suggest there's been no change.

Rather than firmware causing the problem, Apple has suggested earwax buildup could be the problem, with Apple making the following recommendations as a fix:

  • Make sure all iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac devices are running the latest software from Apple.
  • Make sure Active Noise Cancellation is enabled when the ‌AirPods Pro‌ are in the ears by opening up Control Center and long pressing on the volume indicator.
  • Clean the mesh located at the top of the ‌AirPods Pro‌. airpodspromeshclean

Apple says that if debris or earwax builds up at the mesh located at the top of the ‌AirPods Pro‌, it can affect how Active Noise Cancellation works. Debris buildup can cause a loss of bass sound and an increase in background sounds, such as street or airplane noise.

Contact Apple Support

If ‌AirPods Pro‌ problems with Noise Cancellation persist after following the steps listed above, Apple suggests ‌AirPods Pro‌ owners should contact Apple Support for further help.

Guide Feedback

Have a question about Apple's advice for these issues, know of a potential solution we left out, or want to offer feedback? Send us an email here.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

Multi Display CarPlay 1

All-New Apple CarPlay Launching Later This Year With These 5 New Features

Friday September 29, 2023 11:29 am PDT by
At WWDC 2022 last year, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience would be announced in late 2023, but it has still not shared any additional...
BMW Logo iPhone 15 Pro

Warning: BMW Wireless Charging May Break iPhone 15's Apple Pay Chip

Sunday October 1, 2023 6:14 am PDT by
If you have an iPhone 15 and drive a BMW, it might be best to avoid charging the device with the vehicle's wireless charging pad for now. Over the past week, some BMW owners have complained that their iPhone 15's NFC chip no longer works after charging the device with their vehicle's wireless charging pad, according to comments shared on the MacRumors Forums and X, formerly known as Twitter. ...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

Apple to Address iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issue With iOS 17 Update

Saturday September 30, 2023 9:28 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an iOS 17 update to address a bug that may contribute to the reported iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, according to a statement the company shared today with MacRumors and Forbes reporter David Phelan. Apple also says some recent updates to third-party apps have overloaded the system and contributed to the overheating issue. The report notes that...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
iPhone 16 Side Feature

iPhone 16 and 16 Pro: Preliminary Weights and Dimensions

Friday September 29, 2023 12:34 pm PDT by
MacRumors has obtained preliminary information on the weights and dimensions planned for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The information corroborates previous reports suggesting that the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will feature larger displays. iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Current information suggests that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will maintain the same...
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.1 Beta 1

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:57 pm PDT by
Just a week after releasing iOS 17, Apple has seeded the first beta of iOS 17.1 to developers. iOS 17.1 adds some features that Apple promised were coming to iOS 17 in the future, plus it refines and improves some existing features. This guide covers everything new in the first iOS 17.1 beta. Apple Music Favorites You can favorite songs, albums, playlists, and artists in the iOS 17.1...
CarPlay SharePlay

CarPlay Not Working for Some iPhone 15 Users, Possibly Because of USB-C Cables

Friday September 29, 2023 2:27 pm PDT by
CarPlay is not working as expected for some iPhone 15 users, an issue that is likely linked to the transition to USB-C. There are multiple complaints from MacRumors readers and Reddit users who are unable to get CarPlay to work with their new devices. Cable type and available port options are a common theme in the CarPlay reports, with many of the functionality problems linked to USB-A to...