How to Fix Mac Audio Dropouts and Lagging Issues

New Apple computers are experiencing an audio performance bug causing “terrible lag spikes” and “audio glitches”, leading to the inability to create music. Overheating may also be a factor.

The machines that are affected by this bug are all the latest models that have the Apple T2 Chip. These include:

• iMac Pro
• Mac mini models introduced in 2018
• MacBook Air models introduced in 2018
• MacBook Pro models introduced in 2018

The T2 chip is Apple’s second generation, custom silicon for Mac computers and is supposed to deliver new capabilities to the Mac by integrating several controllers – System Management Controller, audio controller, image signal processor, and the SSD controller- that are found in the Mac computers.

The intended result of this integration is more versatile machines, but it seems there is one significant drawback: poor audio performance.

This article will help you troubleshoot audio glitches that you might be experiencing as you try to play music on any of the devices listed above.

What Causes Audio Dropouts and Lagging in the latest Apple Computers?

The T2 chip, as it appears, is the cause of the audio glitch. There are issues with how it synchronizes timing, thus causing dropouts and glitches in the audio stream. The glitch impacts all USB 2.0 audio interfaces, and while some users might blame the USB 2.0 interface manufacturer, Apple is the real culprit given that the issue is software-related.

How to Fix Mac Getting Audio Dropouts and Lagging

If your Mac is getting terrible lag spikes and audio drops, there are multiple ways to solve the problem. These are going to be discussed below. But before you go any further, it is advised to clean your computer first with a reliable Mac cleaning tool, such as Mac repair app. This tool will scan your system for any performance limiting issues, like junk files, missing registry entries, and outdated software and correct them. With your computer scanned and fixed for any problems, it will respond more quickly to troubleshooting methods.

1. Reset the NVRAM and SMC.

SMC or System Management Controller controls several core functions on your Mac, such as battery management, selecting internal and external video source for some iMac displays, keyboard backlighting, and thermal management. Apple advises that resetting the SMC will help resolve the audio dropouts on Mac issue.

How to Reset the SMC on Macs with the T2 Security Chip

This is how to reset the SMC on Mac desktop computers with the T2 security Chip:

1. Shut down your computer. Go to Apple Menu > Shutdown.
2. After your Mac has shut down, press and hold the Power button for about 10 seconds.
3. Release the Power button and wait for a few seconds.
4. Turn your Mac on by pressing the Power button.

Check to see if the issue has been resolved. If not, follow these steps:

1. Shut down your computer. Go to Apple Menu > Shutdown.
2. After your computer successfully shuts down, unplug the power cord.
3. Wait for about 15 seconds.
4. Plug the power cord back in.
5. Wait for about 5 seconds before turning on your Mac. Press the Power button.

Resetting the SMC on Mac Notebook Computers with the T2 chip:

1. Shut down your computer. Go to Apple Menu > Shutdown.
2. After your Mac has shut down, press and hold the Power button for about 10 seconds.
3. Release the Power button and wait for a few seconds.
4. Turn on your Mac by pressing the Power button.

If the issue remains unresolved, take the following steps:

1. Shut off your computer. Go to Apple Menu > Shutdown.
2. After your Mac successfully shuts down, press and hold the left Option key, the right Shift key, and the left Control Key for about seven seconds. Keep on holding all the keys as you press the Power button for another seven seconds.
3. Release all the keys, including the Power button and wait for a few seconds.
4. Turn your Mac on again by pressing the Power button.

After resetting the SMC, you will also be required to reset PRAM and NVRAM.

The PRAM or Parameter Random Access Memory and the NVRAM (non-volatile random access memory) contain information about the configuration of your Mac. Such configuration information includes the date and time, volume, desktop, mouse, and other control settings. Resetting the NVRAM will stop the Audio dropouts on your Mac.

Here is how to reset both NVRAM and PRAM settings on your Mac:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. While Pressing the Power button, press and hold the Command, Option, P, and R keys until the grey screen appears.
3. Keep holding the keys until the Apple logo appears and disappears a second time.
4. Release the keys.

After resetting your SMC and NVRAM, check to see whether your Mac is still experiencing audio problems.

2. Turn Off “Set time & date automatically” in the System Preferences.

Some Mac users have reported that unchecking time sync and the location sync in the Time zone tab on the Mac reduces the audio dropouts. This they note is only a temporary solution because the T2 chip will automatically try to sync back.

3. Get a Thunderbolt or USB 3.0 Audio Interface.

Upgrading from USB 2.0 interface to Thunderbolt or USB 3.0 Audio interface helps solve the issue of audio drops on your Mac. This is because the issue mostly affects machines that only have USB 2.0 interface.

4. Use an Older Mac Version.

Many Mac users may not like this last solution, but it is known that the kind of audio glitches that we are discussing only affect users of newer machines. Thus, until the bug is convincingly solved by Apple, consider using an older computer that doesn’t incorporate the T2 chip.

If you still don’t know what to do about Mac audio dropouts after trying out on the solutions outlined here, you should probably contact Apple customer support. They will advise you accordingly.