Bose's noise-cancellation article covers the causes. In very loud settings such as airplane takeoffs, concerts, sirens or construction, the noise-cancelling microphones can be overwhelmed and cause brief crackling or distortion even in Quiet or Aware mode; it is normal, does not damage the product and eases if you move away from the source. Reflected sound from a nearby hard surface such as a wall reduces cancellation, so move away. Try a different level: the Bose app adjusts cancellation from 0 (least) to 10 (most). Install updates from a computer at btu.bose.com.
Make sure the earcups are tightly seated: glasses, earrings and hats can break the seal. Make sure the cushions are securely attached, since a loose cushion affects noise reduction and sound. Reboot the headphones by holding Power/Bluetooth while connecting the USB cable. The modes article explains the modes: Quiet is full cancellation, Aware is transparency, Immersion is full cancellation with immersive audio, and Custom modes (up to seven) set your own cancellation or wind block; Aware with ActiveSense turns cancellation on for sudden loud noises. By default the headphones power on in Quiet, and you cycle favorites by holding the Multi-function button.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bose QuietComfort headphones and earbuds noise cancellation”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A very loud environment
What separates it You hear crackling or distortion in Quiet or Aware mode because the environment is very loud
How to confirm Move away from the source; this is normal
- 2
A hard surface nearby
What separates it The cancellation seems weaker because a hard surface is close to you
How to confirm Move away from walls and other hard surfaces, and listen again
- 3
A poor seal
What separates it Noise leaks in because the headphones do not seal properly
How to confirm Remove glasses, earrings or hats and reseat the cups
- 4
Aware mode is selected
What separates it Ambient sound comes through because Aware mode is selected
How to confirm Switch to Quiet mode, so that the noise cancellation is at its strongest
- 5
A loose cushion
What separates it The noise reduction and the sound suffer because a cushion is loose
How to confirm Reattach the ear cushion, or replace it if it is damaged
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The product and generation and the current mode
- The environment and what is around you
- How the cups seat and whether glasses are worn
- The cancellation level in the app
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the mode
ReversibleCheck the mode, and select Quiet or Immersion, and not Aware, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Raise the level
ReversibleRaise the level, by setting the cancellation to ten in the Bose app, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Fix the seal
ReversibleFix the seal, by removing glasses, earrings and hats, and reseating the earcups, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Move away from walls
ReversibleMove away from walls, to reduce the sound that reflects back at you, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the cushions
ReversibleCheck the cushions, and make sure that they are attached properly, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Update
ReversibleUpdate the headphones at btu.bose.com, and then test the noise canceling again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reboot
ReversibleReboot the headphones, by holding Power and Bluetooth while connecting USB, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Models this page covers
- QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (the catalogd first generation and the 2nd Gen), QuietComfort Headphones, QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and QuietComfort Earbuds II. Bose writes one article set for the family; the model notes cover the differences such as the charging case and the audio cable.
- Modes
- Bose lists Quiet, Aware, Immersion and Custom modes on the QC Ultra Headphones, with up to seven custom modes.
- Earbuds
- Bose has matching adjustable noise cancellation articles for the QC Ultra Earbuds and Earbuds II.
- Model name instead of a part number
- No part number is involved for you. Bose identifies a product by its name and serial number, printed on the product and shown in the Bose app under the product's settings.
- Tools and supplies
- The USB-C cable and a wall charger, the supplied audio cable for the headphones, the earbud charging case, your phone with the Bose app, and a pen and paper for the serial number. No screwdriver is needed and the product should not be opened.
- Repair cost
- Rebooting, re-pairing and settings fixes cost nothing. Bose runs repairs and replacements online through its START A REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT button; an independent repairer, Joe's Gaming and Electronics, charges a $50 diagnostic and return-shipping fee if you decline its quote, and deal listings priced certified-refurbished QuietComfort Ultra Headphones with a two-year warranty at about $209 to $263.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the QuietComfort Headphones.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If cancellation stays poor with a good seal, updated firmware and a reboot, start a repair or replacement with Bose
- !If a cushion is damaged, replace it with a new one from Bose
- !If only crackling in loud places, it is normal
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Repair figures come from Joe's Gaming and Electronics' published repair terms and Slickdeals listings of certified-refurbished headphones; Bose itself quotes through its online repair button.
Loud environments, hard surfaces, levels 0 to 10, updates, seal and cushions.
Quiet, Aware, Immersion, Custom and ActiveSense.
Earbud reboot steps.
The headphone reboot.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why do I hear crackling?+
In very loud places the noise-cancelling microphones can be overwhelmed; it is normal.
What are the modes?+
The modes are Quiet, Aware, Immersion and Custom, which you choose in the Bose app.
How many custom modes can I make?+
Up to seven in the Bose app.
How do I change modes?+
Hold the Multi-function button to cycle favorites, or use the Bose app.
What is the cancellation range?+
0 to 10 in the Bose app.
Do glasses matter?+
Yes, they can break the seal.
Which mode is default at power-on?+
Quiet, unless you set the last-used mode in the app.