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TimUzzanti Author

Level 2

252 points

MacBook 16-inch Fan Noise

We are testing two new 16-inch MacBook's before doing a rollout across our organization. Under low loads (25% cpu utilization), fan noise will get annoyingly loud. We're not doing any GPU related and more routine work such as: using web applications, debugging web pages, Microsoft Teams conferencing (audio/video) with a handful of people, Photos downloading from iCloud, Mac Mail downloading a new mailbox from Exchange.

We DID NOT notice this on our 2015 MacBooks and this might prevent us from continuing the 16-inch MacBook rollout in our organization.

Interested to hear others experiences.

Tim

MacBook Pro 16", macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 21, 2019 11:34 AM

4,224 replies

TailsDog

Level 1

18 points

Jan 31, 2020 7:10 AM in response to axlroden

os: 10.15.3

(16-inch, 2019)

2.3 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9

16 GB 2667 MHz DDR4

AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 4 GB

External monitor: LG HDR 5K Display (LG 34WK95U-W)

Turned off spotlight indexing as suggested by someone in this thread.

Gets hot when external monitor plugged in even when system is idle, radeon draws 20w system total 40w+. System is cooler when lid shut and even more so when monitor disconnected and only using built in display.

Contacted Apple support and they advised SMC reset, this didn't help, when getting back to support it seems I'm now blocked as it is giving a 403 error. Will need to visit an apple store when I have time.

Solution in the mean time is to buy noise canceling headphones...

TimUzzanti Author

Level 2

252 points

Jan 31, 2020 7:26 AM in response to TailsDog

I started this thread on November 21st and worked with Apple Support Engineers almost immediately. There has been ZERO information from Apple on this, even working with the Apple Business Team and their assigned Engineers. The best we have gotten is extended return policies so we could move forward with machines, otherwise we would have gone back to Windows. It has been VERY disappointing. With Apple's recent financial disclosures, now wearables (Watches and AirPods) exceed Mac revenue. The resources may not be there for the PC product lines anymore.

TailsDog

Level 1

18 points

Jan 31, 2020 8:14 AM in response to TimUzzanti

It is very frustrating there is clearly a reproducible issue that is effecting a lot of people and not just related to a few defective units.

The problem now is that it is Apples MO not to acknowledge these situations unless it becomes a big problem for them like; mass repairs, class action lawsuits or bad PR. This has been seen before: The previous generation keyboard issues, it became ridiculously expensive for them to fix as they had to replace core components with the keyboard. The 2011 GPU problems, it took a class action lawsuit for apple to acknowledge this and provide a fix, then there was the iPhone 4 signal issue, it took a load of bad press for them to even mention it.

In this situation its not really a critical issue so we may not be seeing a fix for this for a while if ever.

iTech23

Level 1

44 points

Jan 31, 2020 8:56 AM in response to TailsDog

I sent some files to the engineers and now they are asking for a video so they can hear the sound of the fans, I didn't have time to send it yet, but at this point I don't think that sending a video will help......

I saw a lot of different issues all related to the GPU on these machines so hopefully is just a driver issue that AMD will have to fix (SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

fmorga

Level 1

4 points

Jan 31, 2020 9:58 AM in response to TimUzzanti

I bought my Windows Computer after several years of mac. It has just arrived today. I hope Apple return one day in the same way as a long time ago. It is really a pity.

The only solution now is return all MacBooks pro. This is the only way to force Apple to bring a solution, if not, we will have a defected device. I don’t think that they recognise the issue. Every time I phone or visit the Apple Store, the answer is the same. ^The first time a hear about this issue.^. Disappointing.

TimUzzanti Author

Level 2

252 points

Jan 31, 2020 10:44 AM in response to fmorga

If it is not fixed in 90 days, they will be getting a bunch of machines from us back. We have other issues as well. The machines when unplugged from monitors to go to a meeting sometimes scrambles the machine and needs the power button to shut down. The laptop screen has lines all over the laptop montior. If we use eGPU's, we can't use Airplay to a TV screen and separate monitors. As soon as we try to move from "mirror display", the MBP locks up.

e_b_c

Level 1

4 points

Jan 31, 2020 11:32 AM in response to TimUzzanti

I exchanged mine within the first 14-days. This new doesn't have the same fan issue, but the battery life is garbage. Gonna wait another week, keeping track of the battery life, and likely exchange it again. This is insanity.

iTech23

Level 1

44 points

Jan 31, 2020 4:58 PM in response to TimUzzanti

For what you are describing it seems that is definitely an issue with the GPU, hopefully is just a driver/software issue and is not a hardware related. I Bought mine to go on 5 month trip to another country and now I’m stuck with this machine.

its becoming more annoying every day not being able to use the external monitor for more than 40/50 minutes and every time I put the machine to sleep I have to remember to disconnect the monitor cable because if I leave it connected the machine gets really hot even when the machine is sleeping.

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,557 points

Jan 31, 2020 7:16 PM in response to TimUzzanti

So be it.

Continue working with Apple Support, but venting here (and threatening) accomplishes nothing.

Personally using my MBP 16 as just a laptop with its internal display, I find it amazing, fast and I’ve yet to hear the fan kick in at all.

Feb 1, 2020 1:48 AM in response to Dogcow-Moof

Hi all,

I'm also having heat issue with external monitor plugged in (to a DELL U2415 with both usb-c to DP or to HDMI). My MBP i9 32Go Radeon 5500 8Go doesn't really make fan noise when plugged to a monitor. At some point the fans are cooling the excessive heat with a higher rotation speed, but it's not really annoying to me, it stays acceptable.

I've also tried to install windows with Bootcamp to know how the MBP behaves, and unfortunately the hadware has the same behavior : 18W when external monitor is plugged, and extra heat (65-68).

My point is I believe it's more a hardware design issue than a driver issue, even if bootcamp drivers relie on Apple.

I seriously considering returning the MBP cause I'm still in the return period, but I would loose a 10% commission by the Fnac (french high-tech store), and loosing 360€ is a pain in the .....

I would wait to an offical feedback from Apple before buying a new fixed one, I don't really want to keep a buggy 1st generation that makes me hard to sell in the future.

But except this heating issue, it's a so great laptop... That's a pitty...........

fmorga

Level 1

4 points

Feb 1, 2020 2:22 AM in response to MikeALaGuitare

If you don’t return the MBP then Apple would never answer and give a feedback, because it would be no issue for their engineers. After more than 2 months they have not answered, and they ignore the issue. Even I hear in some tec media that this is normal. Not for me, for sure, that this noise makes the MBP useless. So I would not keep a defected MBP for 360 Euros discount. You will regret it one day.

SzariK

Level 1

29 points

Feb 1, 2020 4:08 AM in response to TimUzzanti

Is there any way to test the fans (if I have the same issue) w/o having any 4K external display? I'm just asking, cuz I don't have an external 4K display, but I wonder if I have the same problems with my fans in Mac 16".

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,557 points

Feb 1, 2020 7:31 AM in response to fmorga

The thing is, it’s not defective, it doesn’t meet your needs and that’s the thing.

It’s not shutting down due to thermal issues, it’s not failing to operate, but the fans are running at too high a speed for you. (I’m not talking about the eGPU issues here.)

That’s why there is a return policy; personally I’d buy mine all over again as I don’t use an external monitor so I’ve never even heard my fans speed up.

TimUzzanti Author

Level 2

252 points

Feb 1, 2020 8:07 AM in response to Dogcow-Moof

William,

We are not discussing just fan noise, its a side effect of a bigger problem. When the CPU is 100 degrees Celsius and fans are at maximum RPM's with only 10% CPU utilization…. the processor will need to be throttled. The majority of the heat seems to be coming from the GPU when connected to external monitors which is affecting all aspects of the laptop. This is what you would call a DEFECT.

On top of this, we are seeing other issues related to graphics such as disconnecting from monitors and eGPU issues with Airplay that lock up the 16inch MBP’s. We are seeing artifacts on text in certain DPI levels.

Also, running Bootcamp with external monitors makes the MacOS side look like its running normal. Bootcamp is out of control hot with external monitors and we implemented an office policy until things get resolved that Bootcamp can’t be used on 16inch MBP’s.

Bottom line, we have had open cases with Apple since mid November and have had ZERO feedback. I think this is the most frustrating part for customers, not that there is a DEFECT(s). People have been very civil in this thread and I think that speaks volumes for Apple, that they have had a decent track record and we feel somewhat confident the issue will be resolved. But the lack of responses by Apple Engineers (literally dropped off the face of the planet) when they got our information, puts us in new territory. I'm starting to loose faith in Apple related to the PC side of their business. When different segments such as iPhones, iPads, and (AirPods and Watches) exceed PC revenue, resources will be clearly moved. We saw this with years of delays in PC updates but not in QC and support after the purchase. This might be the tipping point for Apple's PC business.

Tim

dcristof

Level 1

8 points

Feb 1, 2020 10:14 AM in response to Dogcow-Moof

That is the thing, Bill. It IS a DEFECT. It is not expected nor normal for a nearly $4000 laptop to behave this way. It is 100% NOT OK for Apple to disappear after getting the news on so many of these machines with this behavior.

You can continue to tell yourself that this is normal, but those of us who have experience with MBPs know better.

I don't understand why you feel the need to make the comments you make. I am frustrated because the 14-day window for returns is not nearly long enough in a situation like this, and your comments only serve to make the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

TimUzzanti clearly laid out the details that lead us all to believe this these machines have serious issues. It is not a preference issue. I will ask you again respectfully to not continue to try to provoke us in this discussion with your nonsensical comments.

MacBook 16-inch Fan Noise