Bought my headphones about 2 years ago as well and I'm having the same problem. Seems like this is a known issue and I'm shocked Sony hasn't done anything about it. Glad to report that your video helped fix mine as well. Thank you!

Thought that this is the end of my headphones, 2 months after warranity ended. Called in service center - price for repair 200$. Then found your video, saved my money and time. Lots of thanks to you

I've been trying to fix this for the past 6 months and this tip saved the day! Thank you so much dude! I thought these things were gonna make me deaf in my right ear, the noise is so sudden and high pitched and LOUD, seriously dangerous to my hearing. Sony would not help me at all. Thank you so much man.

You're my hero. I had this issue, and always was hesitant to open the headphones, even to clean them because breaking something, thanks to this tutorial, I fixed the problem for good, and now I don't have fear of opening it to clean it anymore. Thank you so, but so much for this!

it really is just about reseating it to be honest. the wires are insulated. unless you somehow managed to slice them trying to solder them for some reason, it's not shorting or anything. not to mention if it was shorting, it would be catastrophic failure of the device. not just feedback. but it's certainly feedcback. you can confirm this by closing the sound proof barrier by pressing on the ear cup hard while the noise is happening as if to not let any air escape. It should momentarily stop but it'll come right back. which is also why if you slide the scale from off 0 up 1 in the app to toggle on ambient sound 1, the noise disappears entirely. the feedback occurs when noise cancelling is attempted. if that's happening, you know it's atleast not "hardware" technically. but this reseating solution will solve your issue for now. it's going to come back - i bet this only happens to anyone who has had their pair for a couple years. it's a consumable item - they design it with failure mind. 2-3 years feels about right. I have these headphones mind you and this all happened to me too. good little fix! i ended up microsoldering the joint and added hot glue support as a little test to see if that' will help act as a barrier from further moisture and debris damage. so far so good!

Having to switch my headphones into ambient mode every time I used them was getting frustrating. This solution worked for me. A really simple fix in the end and saved a fortune buying a new pair of headphones. Thanks!

Thanks so much for this - so simple! That screeching noise was torturous. So far I've replaced my battery, ear cushions (twice) and changed a broken left swivel bracket - just want to get back to just enjoying my headphones... Sounds foolish but I have no desire to upgrade. I'll be happy with one more year - fingers crossed!

Bro…I bought these when they first released and way more mileage in that time hands down using day to day, long hours within those days, and it was only affecting the noise cancelling/ambient settings, not when they were in the “off” setting. So I was just gonna say “Well, they’re less than half the price now new, wallet it’s not gonna be happy either way, but there’s a silver lining”. So I tried this thinking “What’s the worst…you’re going to break the broken?!” And it worked flawlessly. I never rant like this but this is the first time probably ever where I see someone fixing something with “electronic tricks” to where I don’t even really bother no more. I don’t know what else you post but saving me $240, the least I can do is like, sub and share in forums where people still haven’t found out how to fix this issue. Thanks again!

Struggled with this issue for months before stumbling across this video, took all but 15 min to do and it fixed the issue for me. Thank you so much ❤

I just followed your very straightforward procedure, and am so relieved that I can use my headphones again. I can't get the feedback to start. They seem fixed. Thank you SO MUCH!

WOW its Oct 2023 and this helped me a lot. I bought mine 3 weeks ago and had this issue. Did everything here and it worked! I saw that the little rubber piece had fallen off on mine and wires were touching. THANK YOU SO MUCH this helped and saved my money!!!!!

I was about to buy some new headphones, you have saved my life, a thousand thanks brother

crazy how long i have waited to fix it. THANK YOU, you are my real MVP

If that's all I have to do every 2-3 years to keep these things working then I'm a very happy customer. Was expecting it to be an internal malfunction or something that I'd need to send in and replace, but this? Super easy. Thank you for the simple, straightforward tutorial. This is what makes KZfaq such a great place.

Thank you for posting this. The noise was driving me crazy. Your fix worked like a charm.

This video actually helped me solve another problem i had with the headphones. The headphones were producing crackling / popping / clicking sounds when doing slight movements. After removing the black film and cleaning the mic with alcohol the annoying sound is no more. Lifesaver!

Just fixed my 3 year old headphones. Many thanks 👍Have also now ordered replacement pads, with the shaped foam bits, to refresh. Good to have them back working. 5* fix 👏

Fantastic Fix! The screeching was becoming so annoying and when it was working, there was a metallic tinny sound from the left ear as well. Just removing this little part fixed everything. The noise cancelling is much better and it sounds perfect. Thank you so much!

Thanks a million!!! I had that issue pop up this week, after watching this video I fixed it in two minutes!! thank you so much you saved me a big hassle

Whoa, it actually worked… Didn’t expect a little change like that can work wonders. Thanks man you rule

Thank you so much for posting this. I can finally enjoy using my headphones again!

I thought I was gonna have to buy new headphones but this worked perfectly! Many thanks my friend

Just gave this a go and now my headphones are back to normal, thanks so much!

You just saved my life, god bless you bro it worked!!! I just needed someone to tell me how to open them up, sometimes that white thing falls of and messes up the mini speakers, i just put it back on and worked! Thak you man!!

Thank you man, you helped me with this issue! I was about to throw earphones to the bucket when i found your video.

Thank you so much!!!! I was freaking out until I found your video! Life saver!

My headphones had started screeching on the right ear, and the noise cancelling had been sounding like crap for a couple months. This actually helped with both issues! They're working perfectly again. Thank you!! 🥳

Omg you saved my headphone, i was almost going to give up hope on it, i had been enduring the occasional noice for so long/ not use the noice cancelling mode at all, it really worked thank youuuuu

Thank you for this. Easy fix and you saved me alot of money. Not all heroes wear capes.

Thanks man, this worked for me, i wasn't using noise cancelling for 6 months due to this, in my case the problem was the microphone in the right ear!

Thank you for the video. Just like the others who replied here, I have the same issue and my headphones have not yet reached a year when we bought it last Christmas more likely before Thanksgiving. I was really getting frustrated with the sound and it really dampens the mood when you want to listen to a good sound of music. My first fix was to use the optimizer and some adjustment to the sound settings in the app. So far it kinda works but i know eventually I will have to do what you've done.

I repair these all the time, have a video on here for replacing pivot, you will have to replace the microphone after while, these mics have an oil dampening and you will usually see a light oil film along with the screaming feedback, same thing as getting a microphone too close to the speaker at a concert or whatever, you can use a good microphone from another set of xm4 but I think if you can order them from sony or someone legit it will help in the long run, there is a bit of work to replace the microphone, you can replace just the microphone itself or replace the mic and harness also, second part is better but more work, if you replace the mic alone then be careful how hot you get the mic when you desolder and resolder as it will ruin it as well. Will have to make another video of replacing the microphones as that is ultimately what you will have to do.

Thank you so much bro I really appreciated the tutorial it saved me a lot of money trying to do repairs

thank you so much this tutorial helped me to fix my beloved headphones, you are a legend

Thank you sooo much. It's people like you who make me believe there's still good in the world. By the way this method works for both sides.

Thank you! The whistle started after the flight in the plane. I had a whistle on the right side, did everything the same way as you. Everything now works as it was before.

Same problem here. It's really disappointing that 400$ headphones are just basically unusable (at least with ANC on) after just 2 years. My partner's XM3 are still holding up after 5 years of HEAVY use though.

I cant belive this was the issue, you saved me a lot of money thank you very much

Thank you my friend, apparently this resolved my issue with XM3, who also suffers this problem. It's damn difficult to use the headphone after that awful noise, I'm scared to get that noise back. Tried full cleaning but nothing. Removing this damn protection/sticker made it work

Thank you! I've had them for maybe 4 years and they started making this noise about a month ago, I didn't pay attention at first thinking it was an app or something I had open, but then I realised it was them, so far the ANC doesn't seem to trouble anymore, neither the sound.

Amazing. Thank you for posting. Saved mine from the dump.

Thanks so much for the simple instructive video! You helped me with my long lasting problem :)

Thank you for this video! Ive had my xm4's a little over a year and they just started making this awful screeching noise a few days ago. I thought it was the end until i found this video. As of 10 minutes ago they work just fine. Sony really needs to fix this issue as its not only the xm4s that have done this.

it works, loud noise is gone now, thank you

Im so glad to find out i am not the only one to hv this problem

I cleaned the ear proximity sensor, cleaned the mic without removing the black piece, cleaned cushions, works, thank you!

Thank you so much for this video. It completely worked for me. I removed the faulty film from the mic on the side that was causing feedback. For good measure I removed the film from the other side as well. Your explanation and point by point demonstration were very helpful.

Omg tysm my Headphones doesnt get that sound anymore have a good day ❤️

Thank you very much for this. The sound was so loud that hurt my left ear. To be honest, i'm feeling anxious using it, any sound similar to the high pitch noise scares me. I'll make sure to clean this every week.

Thanks man! This was very helpful and solved my exact problem

i tried everything I could except this. so far so good.

This seems to have solved it, thanks for the epic tip!

bro! I have the XM3 and this also fixed my problem! Kudos to you

Absolute god send, worked for me, thanks for so much for making this video. :)

confirmed the fix works. super easy. thanks my man!!!!

Fixed mine! Thank you so much for this video. hope this holds

This absolutely fixed the issue! great guide!!

para los que no se les soluciona el problema: 1) quiten la almoadilla y saquen la gomita que cubre el microfono con cuidado. 2) retiren el microfono con cuidado y saquen la telita negra que lo cubre( no tiren esa telita negra) 3)dejen remojando la telita negra en alcohol isopropilico y limpien el microfono con alcohol también. 4) vuelve a poner el micrófono en su sitio y colocale la telita negra redonda nuevamente, si no se pega bien coloca un poquito de agorex o pegamento en los bordes(solo en los bordes ojo) 5)le vuelves a colocar el protector de goma que cubre el microfono y en la parte de abajo en el protector le agregas 2 gotitas de pegamento en cada esquina para pegar un poco de algodón( en forma de bolita y el suficiente para que cubra toda la parte de abajo del microfono) no excederse con el algodón porque puede perjudicar la cancelación de ruido. 6) dejar secar todo 2 horas y el problema esta resuelto, esto es debido a la humedad que produce el audifono y lo mal diseñado que está (también pasaba con el xm3), en los audífonos bose qc35/45 no pasa porque el microfono esta tapado con tela dura y están mejor diseñados, prefiera modelos de bose si no quiere problemas de este tipo. //espero que mi tip les ayude, yo igual pase dolores de cabeza por este error//

This worked for me as well!. Awesome and quick fix!

Excellent! I have found the problem! The metal washer hit the speaker. Bose qc 35ii. After removing headphone work! Thanks a lot

Thank you! Mine was ravaged by humidity, cleaned with alcohol and it's working normally.

This just worked wonders for me. Thanks!!!

OMG, I can't believe it! I simply removed the black protection and the crackling noises disappeared. I was about to buy a new pair of headphones, since the noise was ruining the listening experience, but I had nothing to lose by trying this fix

thank you for the video big time.... used 90% rubbing alcohol on the inside mic with a cleaning pad and holy... it was packed with grease for reasons i don't know why and one pad removed it all....no more loud feed back about to make you lose hearing.

(If the sound from your headphones has also seemed dull lately) Just a thought, folks: while the earcups are off and the inner bits are exposed, take a fat minute to remove any hair, dust, etc from the inside of the headphones and any earwax or dust accumulation from the foam that rests against your ear in the ear-cup. I used q-tips, isopropyl alcohol and a pair of tweezers. Be careful with metal tweezers as the inner magnet might scare the crap out of you when it inevitably suctions to them, lol. It should improve the audio quality. Cat hair especially is very pesky and seems to collect inside over time.

Worked like a charm, thank you so much!!!

This solved my issue as well - thank you for making this. What a disgrace for Sony

Thanks buddy. I'm going to try this. Fingers crossed!

Fixed the issue, thank you! I will update it it comes back

You just saved me $500. Thank you.

Saved my headphones. Thanks a lot

It's fixed!??!! I'm shocked it could be something so small as a little piece of black fabric but it seems to be fine now??? I'm still nervous about the sound but yeah it works??? Insane, thank you so much!!!

concise and helpful, thank you so much

Eres un genio!! Únicamente limpie los micrófonos que enseñas con pañitos de alcohol isopropílico y quedaron funcionales al 100% nuevamente. En mi caso no necesite sacar los círculos negros pequeños de los micrófonos. Muchas gracias ❤

This fixed it for me, thank you!

THANK YOU!! MY EARS WERE BLEEDING

thank you for the fix reli helped, saved me much money

Thank you so much man! I am gonna try this!

Thanks for this. Just gave this a try on my XM4's. Will update on how this works.

A hundred thank yous for this video! I wasn't dealing with full on screeching but would have a popping sound in the right ear cup, removing that stupid little filter did the trick!

You save my headphone bro, Thanks!

Can't believe that was it! Thanks!

Thanks alot you are the best just. A simple thing to do but changed everything, it's a brand new headphones again.🎉❤

you're my hero brother! bless up!

Great explainer video but the metal tweezers can shred rubber and tear wires. Better off using your fingers or a plastic tool. But in my case, I was getting the squeal even after removing the black round filters from the microphones.

I've got the same issue on my XM2 and XM3's so I am going to give this a shot on the older pair and see how that works.

Thank you really ❤ I had the same problem and this fixed it.

Man i love you, that fixed everything

thank you for this video. fixed mine as well one thing though: if you use alkohol to clean the parts, let it wait on air for a bit, before assembling it back together, because the alcohol will cause the same issue when still in liquid form. i know that it is obvious, but i am just stupid.

Thank you sir. This worked for me!

You have just saved a pair of headphones from the bin, or a costly repair charge. Thank you!

Thank you for your video, It works perfectly 🥳

Thanks helped massively

Aye thanks mate, now I only have to worry with ringing with my tinnitus!

Thanks, this started happening on my XM3s recently.

I have just tried like 5 min ago, I'm gon wait coupe le of days and get back to u guys! Ngl I'm scared of having them again in my ears, I can litterraly lose my left ear

Wow, this fixed the problem with my xm4's. Muchos gracias! It's scandalous that Sony ignores the problem. That superloud feedback loop seems lawsuit material to me, jezus christ.

Thank you bro. I tried so hard to fix it. I dont know if its solve now, but I tried and look like to be a good solution. I think the main weak of this headphone is abt humidity. So I follow your advices and I used a hair dryer too for let the humidity go away of this little part. (Let the headphone go cold before start it again and dont use the heater to close or too hot)

Thank you so much for making this video it did fix the problem

I give easy like to every video I watch but this one diserve it for real, I should give more likes for giving me a solution after buyin this headset a year ago and having this issue solved.