Sony WH-1000XM4 feedback noise in right ear

[Mathew.B]

These headphones have been working fine until about a week ago when upon powering up, the right ear cup blasted a high pitched whine when placed on my ear which lasted about 10 seconds.  Once it had finished, the headphones worked normally.
Now every time they are powered off and then powered on again the feedback whine returns for 10 seconds or so before fading out (and again allowing normal usage).
I have had to resort to putting them on and quickly moving the right cup to the side so that I'm not deafened by the high pitched sound and then once it has finished whatever it is doing putting it back and using the headphones.
Only other info I have is that prior to the whining noise there is a brief second or two of a light popping sound.

My best guess is that it is something to do with the noise cancelling function, but I'm by no means any expert!

Has anyone else had the same problem?

[SkyNet404]

Hey @Mathew.B, 

Glad you got it sorted in the end. Hopefully our friends in the thread manage to do the same.

Cheers.

[HaithamE]

Hello !

i have bought mine yesterday and got same issue also.

found that happens when i have ambient sound on, but it doesn't go away for me

who should I call for an exchange ?

[HaithamE]

Hey @Mathew.B 

I am having issues like yours and I bought it 2 days ago.

I can see you exchanged it with new one, do you experience the same issue ? Or Should I ask directly for a refund?

thanks

h

[jesmith7574]

I don't think that there is much point in getting a replacement, as it looks pretty conclusive that there is an inherant fault in the design, and we now need Sony to come up with some guidance.

[HannahEd01]

Hey HaithamE, try the steps on the thread, it looks like the issue can be resolved.

[HaithamE]

Hey @HannahEd01 

trust me , I tried resetting & factory resetting. I like the headphone and this issue is just too depressing to have on such an expensive headphone.

The noise goes louder whenever the battery is closer to 50% , havent tried less as i couldn't even use it after .

cheers

[HannahEd01]

Hey HaithamE, try contacting Sony for further assistance, the contact details: https://services.sony.co.uk/supportmvc/en/contact?cpint=spt-footer_contact

[evansad]

The problem occurs on my left earcup in exactly the same way. It is a loud feedback whining high pitch noise.

Can be resolved by turning off or reducing the noise cancellation which defeats the purpose of the headphones.

Suddenly started after 11 months of use and occurs intermittently.

[HannahEd01]

Hey evansad, have you tried any of the troubleshooting steps? Rest, initialize, software update?

[CrisCros]

I just fixed this issue on my WH-1000XM4s! I'd already gone through all the troubleshooting steps described above with a Sony CSR over the phone who ultimately recommended I send them in to get repaired. Luckily I found this Reddit thread and found that the loud feedback was being caused by earwax collecting on one of the internal components.

To get to the component I needed to clean (a short, metallic cylinder), all I had to do was remove the earpad/foam and then a small grey, rubber cap covering it. After that, I used Q-Tips and >90% isopropyl alcohol to clean the rubber cap and contact points on the cylinder. Put everything back together and everything's working great again!