Angus Davis
Level 1 (20 points)

Q: Repetitive clicking noise on SSD Macbook Air

Recently, I opened my computer to hear a "rat-a-tat-tat" sound occurring for about 1 second, repeating every 4 seconds.

 

I searched the Web and came across a video posted on Youtube of someone who speaks in a foreign language, but is experiencing the EXACT same clicking sound, here is that video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bPrCCujLJ4 - best rendition of the sound is around :46 and :57 into the video.

 

This is a 13" SSD Macbook Air - there is no hard drive in this unit. Any ideas on what is causing this sound and how best to resolve it? It's really annoying. Thanks.

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Dec 5, 2011 5:57 PM

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Angus Davis

Q: Repetitive clicking noise on SSD Macbook Air

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  • by shldr2thewheel,

    shldr2thewheel shldr2thewheel Dec 5, 2011 8:38 PM in response to Angus Davis
    Level 7 (25,881 points)
    Dec 5, 2011 8:38 PM in response to Angus Davis

    I doubt an SSD would make a noise as they have no moving parts.

  • by Angus Davis,Helpful

    Angus Davis Angus Davis Dec 5, 2011 8:55 PM in response to shldr2thewheel
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Dec 5, 2011 8:55 PM in response to shldr2thewheel

    Of course. The only moving part in the device is the fan. The noise eminates from the top left corner near the power connection. According to tear down images that is the location of the fan. It would appear to me the fan has failed.

     

    I installed Fan Control 1.2, an app that among other things reports current fan RPM. I have several macbook airs. A normally operating (no noise) shows my fan RPM at all times. This noise-making macbook air consistently reports zero (0) RPM on the fan in the Fan Control app. So, the fan is jammed.

     

    A few swift knocks on the case just above the fan, to the left of the "esc" key, and voila - the fan starts spinning at 4000 RPMs and temperature on the CPU drops precipitously. Nice. If the problem recurs or persists we will bring to Apple to replace the fan. In case others are wondering about this noise, there is the reason...

  • by shldr2thewheel,

    shldr2thewheel shldr2thewheel Dec 5, 2011 8:59 PM in response to Angus Davis
    Level 7 (25,881 points)
    Dec 5, 2011 8:59 PM in response to Angus Davis

    have you run the apple hrdware test? AHT

  • by tk99,

    tk99 tk99 Apr 3, 2012 8:16 PM in response to Angus Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 3, 2012 8:16 PM in response to Angus Davis

    @Angus,

     

    Had the same issue.  Tried the "few swift knocks" approach and voila, fixed.  Fan ramped up and is cooling like it should.  Figured it was the fan but never thought to try the more manual approach.

  • by Alsloginid,

    Alsloginid Alsloginid Apr 4, 2012 7:29 AM in response to tk99
    Level 1 (45 points)
    Apr 4, 2012 7:29 AM in response to tk99

    would probably grab a new one to be honest, it'll be cheaper than a logic board!

  • by arktos888,

    arktos888 arktos888 May 12, 2012 8:44 AM in response to Angus Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 12, 2012 8:44 AM in response to Angus Davis

    Thanks for this great advice. I was pondering taking the computer in for service when I thought I'd just look to see if anyone else had been experiencing the clicking. Perfectly described above, and "problem solved" with a few short knocks as advised! Much appreciated.

  • by CBM3NYC,

    CBM3NYC CBM3NYC May 16, 2012 6:55 AM in response to Angus Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2012 6:55 AM in response to Angus Davis

    Excellent tip - problem solved. Thanks!

  • by jean.dertousse,

    jean.dertousse jean.dertousse Aug 9, 2012 1:31 PM in response to Angus Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 9, 2012 1:31 PM in response to Angus Davis

    Hi there, not sure if i have the same problem. (edit: no problem anymore, "problem" solved, see text below)

     

    here are the facts: mba 11'', may 2012, ssd hd 250 gb.

     

    makes a clicking sound about four times an hour, sometimes more often. sounds exactly like a triple mouseclick with a little bit of hi-hat (the bronze cymbal) sound. it is definitely not from the fan and it comes more from the right side. Since i have SSD HD it is not a moving head or so. also, the sound doesnt sound bad or irregular, i am just wondering what it is. Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh solved! just found out what it is:

     

    my outlook for mac makes this noise when it has checked for new email and there were no new emails on the servers. since i use three servers, it makes three clicks when none of them have new emails, two, if blablabla...

     

    thanks anyway, and maybe this will be helpful for somebody else.

  • by misterwell,

    misterwell misterwell Oct 7, 2012 10:13 AM in response to Angus Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 7, 2012 10:13 AM in response to Angus Davis

    Same problem, same solution worked for me. Gave the area above my escape key one firm punch with my fingers and all of a sudden the fan spun up. Great tip, there must have been something blocking the fan internally.

  • by 1robertino,

    1robertino 1robertino Nov 18, 2012 8:36 PM in response to Angus Davis
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    Nov 18, 2012 8:36 PM in response to Angus Davis

    Thank you. It actually worked. I hated that sound!

  • by Wendy287,

    Wendy287 Wendy287 Jan 3, 2013 6:33 PM in response to Angus Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 3, 2013 6:33 PM in response to Angus Davis

    Hello everbody Iam having the same clicking noise on my Macbook Air, can somebody help me pls?

  • by Wendy287,

    Wendy287 Wendy287 Jan 3, 2013 7:03 PM in response to Angus Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 3, 2013 7:03 PM in response to Angus Davis

    I tried the tapping and is not working!!!   :-  (

  • by ComputerFixer,

    ComputerFixer ComputerFixer Jan 3, 2013 7:36 PM in response to Wendy287
    Level 3 (735 points)
    Jan 3, 2013 7:36 PM in response to Wendy287

    I have seen other posts be resolved with the problem coming from the speaker.   The fact that a swift smack fixes it tells me you MAY (no guarantees) but MAY have a loose audio cable.   If the computer is under warrenty, I would recommend taking it in for service.  If not, check the audio cable and make sure it is properly seated in its socket.

  • by yoannthebohbot,

    yoannthebohbot yoannthebohbot Jan 23, 2013 3:27 PM in response to Angus Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 23, 2013 3:27 PM in response to Angus Davis

    lol knock the bottom

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