Apple releases Boot Camp audio driver update that can destroy speakers

Apple has released an update to the audio driver in Boot Camp, the software that allows MacBook users to run Windows. A driver error could cause speakers to make weird noises and even break when running Windows 10.

The update fixes the problem for new users, but the driver can of course not repair the speakers that are hardware broken, Apple Insider reports. The driver should automatically be on the system for users who have installed Boot Camp in the past few days, otherwise users will be notified that the update is ready. The problems occur with the new MacBook Pro, of which new models will be released this fall. According to a forum topic at MacRumors, it’s mainly about the 15″ model with Touch Bar.

The problem with the speakers in Boot Camp caused users to hear pops at random times under Windows. In some cases, the problems disappeared as soon as users exited Boot Camp, but in other cases the speakers appeared to be damaged.

A possible solution for users who want to be sure is always booting Windows with a headset in the 3.5mm jack. All sounds then go through the headset and not through the speakers of the laptop, so that the problem cannot occur. Since the problems only occurred in Boot Camp, using other software to run Windows, such as Parallels, is a solution. Apple has not made an official statement about the problem, which appears to have been occurring since the release of the new MacBook Pro.