MacBook Pro Update Hopes to Fix Kernel Panic and Crackling Speakers
Credit: AppleToggle Dark Mode
Apple this week released a new Supplemental Update for 2018 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models that fixes several significant issues.
When it was released, there wasn’t much available information on the update — officially dubbed macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Supplemental Update 2. It only claimed to improve the “stability and reliability” of 2018 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar computers.
MacRumors contacted Apple regarding the new supplemental update. In response, the Cupertino tech giant said it addresses two key issues, speaker crackling and kernel panics, on new MacBook Pro models. That’s in addition to other speed and reliability updates.
Because of that, Apple recommends that users install the supplemental update on all compatible MacBook Pro models.
Fixed Issues
The kernel panic and crackling speaker issues have been reported by a small but not insignificant number of 2018 MacBook Pro owners.
For the speaker problem, users report crackling sounds when playing audio across various platforms — like iTunes, GarageBand and on web browsers.
The crackling appears to be persistent, as the issue continues after system reboots and volume changes.
Other 2018 MacBook Pro users experience kernel panic incidents, which are essentially the macOS analog to the Windows “Blue Screen of Death.” Some iMac Pro users also experience similar panics.
Impacted users report kernel panics related to bridgeOS, which has led some to theorize that the culprit could be the T2 chipset used in 2018 MacBook Pro models, as well as the iMac Pro.
It’s worth noting that the T2 chip has been cited as a potential cause for the crackling speaker incidents, too.
The T2 chip is proprietary Apple silicon that manages a suite of previously separate features and components, including system management controller, image signal and audio processors, and various security functions.
User Reports
Of course, even though the new supplemental update is intended to fix crackling speaker and kernel panic issue, there’s some evidence that it hasn’t fully alleviated those problems.
On Reddit, various 2018 MacBook Pro users report that the update does mitigate the crackling speaker issue on various apps like Spotify. But several others said that the crackling problem persisted after the supplemental update, specifically when playing audio content from YouTube.
As far as kernel panics, at least one user reported experiencing at least one incident even after installing the supplemental update.
What This Means
This is the second supplemental update released specifically for 2018 MacBook Pro models, with the first reliably fixing issues with performance throttling.
But, of course, if the Supplemental Update 2 doesn’t fix kernel panics or crackling speakers, it might suggest that the problem is deeper-rooted than Apple has suspected. Users should wait to see if the problems are mitigated over time.
What Else Can I Do?
Until Apple confirms the issue has been patched or that further fixes are coming, the company has recommended other courses of action. That includes disabling FileVault and PowerNap to fix the kernel panics. No methods have been suggested for the crackling speakers, however.
It’s also worth noting that there isn’t a supplemental update for macOS Mojave. But since that macOS version is in beta testing, Apple will presumably implement fixes before it rolls out to the public.
