If your Sony WH-1000XM3 creaks, crackles or pops when you move your head, you're in good company. Sony's community forums have long threads from owners describing exactly this, often from new. Some describe a crackling that gets worse when they walk or move their neck, even with the headphones switched off.
Most of the time it's a mechanical noise from the plastic, not a fault with the sound. But on the XM3, a creak can also be the first sign of the headband cracking.
Is it mechanical or electrical?
Switch the headphones off and move your head, or flex them gently in your hands.
- The noise is still there with them switched off: it's mechanical. Plastic parts are rubbing or flexing.
- The noise only happens with them on, and sounds like static or popping in the audio: that's different. It could be a cable starting to break, or interference. See Sony headphones no sound on one side, which covers crackling sound too.
Where XM3 creaks come from
Owners who've investigated describe the noise coming from the arms that hold the ear cups, where they meet the cups and can be pushed inwards slightly. Pressing on that joint can recreate the creak. Other sources are:
- The headband slider and the joint above it. This is also where the XM3's headband cracks.
- Ear pads that aren't fully seated on the cups.
When to worry
The XM3's best-known fault is a crack in the headband near the slider. It often starts as a creak and a hairline crack before a piece of plastic breaks away. Check closely under a bright light, especially:
- where the slider meets the band, on both sides
- for any section that flexes or clicks when you press it
- for a gap where wires are visible
If you can see a crack, see Sony XM3 headband cracked. Stop stretching the band more than you need to, and plan a repair before the wiring is damaged.
Can you stop the creaking?
- Reseat the ear pads by pressing firmly all the way round each one.
- Clean the slider and the joints with a dry, soft cloth to remove grit.
- Don't oil or grease the joints. Lubricants can damage some plastics and attract dirt, and they won't fix a crack.
If the creak is coming from a crack, the only lasting fix is replacing the cracked part.
How it's repaired
If the headband or hinge arm has cracked, I replace it with a genuine Sony part where available, reclaimed and inspected, check the cable for damage, and test everything before posting them back. If both sides are going, both can be done in one repair. See my Sony headphones hinge and headband repair.
The XM3 is the oldest model in the range, so before repairing, it's worth checking the battery still lasts you a day. See is it worth repairing Sony headphones.
Questions people ask
Why do my Sony XM3 headphones creak when I move my head?
Usually the plastic arms that hold the ear cups, or the headband slider, flexing as you move. It's a common, mechanical noise.
Is XM3 creaking a fault?
On its own, it's usually a design trait rather than a fault. A creak from the headband with a visible crack is a sign of the XM3's known headband failure.
Will Sony repair a creaking XM3?
A creak alone is unlikely to be repaired under warranty, and most XM3s are long out of warranty. A cracked headband is often treated as physical damage.
My recommendation
Switch them off and find where the noise comes from. Reseat the pads and clean the slider. If you find a crack in the headband, get it repaired before the wiring underneath gives up.