How to Fix macOS 13 Audio Distortion Issues

Upgrading to macOS 13 (Ventura) can occasionally introduce audio bugs, such as crackling, popping, static, or stuttering sound across internal speakers and external devices. These issues are typically caused by outdated third-party audio drivers, system cache corruption, misconfigured sample rates, or glitches within the macOS Core Audio daemon. This guide provides straightforward, step-by-step solutions to diagnose and resolve audio distortion on your Mac quickly.

Restart the Core Audio Daemon

The Core Audio background process manages all sound processing on macOS. Restarting it resolves most temporary glitches without requiring a full system reboot.

  1. Open Terminal (located in /Applications/Utilities/).

  2. Type the following command and press Enter:

    sudo killall coreaudiod

  3. Enter your administrator password when prompted (characters will not appear on the screen) and press Enter.

  4. Test your audio playback immediately to see if the distortion has stopped.

Adjust Settings in Audio MIDI Setup

A mismatch between the sample rate of your audio hardware and the playback source can cause crackling and popping sounds.

  1. Open Audio MIDI Setup via Spotlight search or navigate to /Applications/Utilities/.
  2. Select your active output device (such as MacBook Pro Speakers or your connected headphones/interface) from the left sidebar.
  3. In the right panel, find the Format dropdown menu.
  4. Change the sample rate to 44.1 kHz or 48.0 kHz (2-channel, 16-bit or 24-bit). If it is already set to 48.0 kHz, try switching it to 44.1 kHz, or vice versa.
  5. Close the application and test your audio.

Disconnect Peripherals and Test Default Output

External hubs, USB-C adapters, and specific audio interfaces may require updated drivers for macOS 13.

  1. Unplug all external devices, including docks, USB hubs, external monitors, and audio interfaces.
  2. Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Sound > Output.
  3. Select your built-in speakers.
  4. If the internal speakers work normally, reconnect your accessories one by one to identify which device or cable is introducing interference or latency.

Uninstall Incompatible Third-Party Audio Software

Virtual audio drivers, equalizers, and audio routing utilities often conflict with new major macOS releases until developers update them.

  1. Identify any third-party sound management software installed on your Mac (such as Loopback, Soundflower, Boom 3D, or Audio Hijack).
  2. Check the developer’s website for an update that explicitly supports macOS 13.
  3. If no update exists or the issue persists, use the official uninstaller provided by the software developer to completely remove the application and its associated kernel extensions or system extensions.

Boot into Safe Mode to Clear System Caches

Booting into Safe Mode clears temporary system caches and prevents non-essential software from launching, which helps isolate and fix underlying software conflicts.

For Apple Silicon (M1/M2) Macs:

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Press and hold the Power button until you see "Loading startup options."
  3. Select your startup disk, press and hold the Shift key, and click Continue in Safe Mode.
  4. Log in, test the audio, and then restart your Mac normally.

For Intel-based Macs:

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Turn on the Mac and immediately press and hold the Shift key.
  3. Release the key when the login window appears.
  4. Log in, test the sound, and restart normally.

Apply the Latest macOS Updates

Apple frequently releases minor point updates to fix system-level audio bugs identified after major OS releases.

  1. Navigate to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.
  2. Download and install any pending macOS 13 updates to ensure all bug fixes are applied to your system.