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Unknown popping sound recurring; usually not long after start.

I often get a popping sound from my iMac (using updated Monterey) through the speakers about two seconds after "Chrome" is opened (also there when Incognito mode is opened) . In System Prefs. every item either has all Notifications set to off or the “Play sound for notifications” turned off; its not a startup sound which is also set to Off; I haven’t discerned what if anything it is indicating - so I’d like to know what it indicates and whether it can be turned off? The sound selected for notifications is not a popping sound so it seems it is coming from some other area.

Posted on Apr 26, 2022 8:35 PM

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10 replies

Apr 27, 2022 3:07 PM in response to desm1

Hey there desm1,


It sounds like you've checked the right settings for your notifications! To help rule out possible start up software issues, we'd like to have you start your Mac in safe mode to monitor if the issue persists. If it doesn't, you can restart normally and check if the issue is resolved.


To start in safe mode:


"Apple silicon

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.
  3. Select your startup disk, then press and hold the Shift key while clicking “Continue in Safe Mode.”
  4. Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.


Intel processor

  1. Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.
  2. Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac. 
  3. You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window."


How to use safe mode on your Mac


If this continues, try creating a new user profile on your Mac to further isolate the user settings as the issue.


This link will guide you through the steps to create another user: Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac


Take care!

Apr 29, 2022 6:20 AM in response to desm1

Thanks for trying those steps and getting back to us, desm1. It's appreciated!


Since you heard a popping sound in safe mode and a new user account, we'd like to try to isolate this a bit more. Let's see if this is being caused by an app you've set to open when you log in. Please follow the steps here: Remove login items to resolve startup problems on your Mac - Apple Support


Please let us know the results when you're able.


All the best.

Apr 28, 2022 11:45 PM in response to hc1111

Pressing shift on re-starts had no effect i.e. no indication of Safe Mode; I logged in as a Guest; downloaded Chrome and no popping sound; deleted Chrome from my normal User profile; downloaded it again; selected no options. On opening it the pop sound was there after the usual couple of seconds!!

May 1, 2022 10:46 PM in response to SnickZ.

Subsequent to my earlier post where I stated that there was no ("Boop" sound - have identified it as one of the notification options) when I logged in as a "Guest"; I plugged in a keyboard and Safe mode appeared to work; Chrome didn't really open normally but its menu bar was there and there was no "Boop"; I also uninstalled and re-installed Chrome to no effect. I also blocked all notifications in Chrome; again no effect on the "Booping. "One oddity is that there are two identical Chrome Icons in the Mac OS notifications App. list. Does the advice re "Remove login items...." remain applicable?


I haven't looked into it yet but since Guest didn't have the sound then creating a new user profile would presumably work but I wonder whether this would mean re-setting many many items and the risk of the sound returning would presumably be extant since it is coming from some completely unknown source i.e. I'd much rather track it down.


May 2, 2022 6:55 AM in response to Dustin_R_308

Google Chrome doesn't seem to have any portal to communicate with them; I asked the same question in their Community area but with no replies after a few days none are likely. Since the sound wasn't occurring when signed in as a Guest; is there some way to re-set my current ID back to scratch or would re-installing the OS be easier?

Unknown popping sound recurring; usually not long after start.

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