Noise when scrolling

I had the issue if using the power cable extension (three prong cable that fits into white block) which I think is because my home is not grounded.

After taking out the extension and just using the block with plug attachment the noise went away.

Hope this helps

I am pretty sure, that is has nothing to do with the power supply, hard drive access or any other moving parts. I'm experiencing the same thing on a MacPro, but the sound comes from the headphones that I attached to the line-out. It also accurs not only when scrolling (although that's the best way to reproduce it), but whenever the content on the screen is "refreshed", for example when playing a video, reading a newsticker, etc.

I've also noticed this on my Late 2011 17" MacBook Pro. If I unplug my power adapter, I can't hear it any more. I'm pretty sure my office's ground is fine and I'm using the grounded cable on my adapter, so I'm not sold it involves ground. I notice it when scrolling with any of the 3 mice connected to my computer. I don't notice it when scrolling up via the arrow keys on my keyboard. I thought it was a bluetooth issue at first, but it happens with my integrated trackpad too.

Just took in to the apple store. They are going to be replacing the MagSafe board. I hope that fixes the problem. It is still under apple care, but it's a cheap fix if it isn't. Around $50.

I am also experiencing this noise when scrolling. The noise is occuring both when I am connected to a power supply and when running on battery power. Can you let me know if the MagSafe fix works?

The Magsafe board change totaly worked. No noise when scrolling, and the plug can be put on in any spot without getting a bad connection. Totaly recomend going in and getting this done.

I tested the same thing.

With the plug it was making noise, without no noise.

Still, I guess with my original MBP it has no sound. Now I got a MB Air power supply and I get to notice it.

I am so glad I found this thread. I thought I was going mad! Too much time on the keyboard or something...

I ran through the tests and as others have posted, I only hear the noise while plugged in. I have a solid ground and am sing the grounding cable so I guess that it must be the MagSafe board issue.

I am not having any issues with charging or connectivity to the charger, only this noise. Does this indicate that the Magsafe board is beginning failing?

Thanks!

Dan

Late 2010 MBP 13"

My MacBook Pro was just making this almost screeching sound when I was using my trackpad so I unplugged the power supply at the magsafe and plugged it back in and it stopped. I need my magsafe replaced in my laptop due to some charging issues (I am using an apple charger) so I am wondering if it is all part of the same problem.

What you are describing is one of the two following things:

1. Interference on a cable connected to a speaker.

2. Coil noise (Resonant vibration of coils in changing electromagnetic fields)

You can find out if it is the speaker by turning them off. If the noise remains it is coil noise.

In both cases it has nothing to do with the mouse but rather with the changing electric current to your screen. Smooth scrolling creates a lot of signal changes by rapid changing pixels. So deactivating smooth scrolling might be a work around, but still it will appear with other graphics.

The good news is you guys have actually good hearing. The bad news is you cannot do anything about either of those problems since Apple voids any guarantee for their overpriced and obviously hasty engineered products if you only open the case.

Coil noise and interference are btw standard problems to check for any electrical engineering task. This should not occur at all.

I just had this happen on a 2014 MBPro with SSD - quite suddenly it started making a low buzzing/creaking noise during two-finger scrolling in Safari. No noise using a mouse or keys. After reading reports here I tried unplugging the power supply and the noise disappeared. Even better it has not come back after replugging so most likely it was related to a poor connection to the power supply.

Yes I just verified it has to do with the grounding of the cord.

In my case the magnetic part of the power adapter was a little dirty preventing a clean full connection. I started hearing the noise, after some time I unplugged the cord and the noise went away. I cleaned off the dirt on the magnetic connections and plugged the mac back in, after that there was no noise.

OMG THANK YOU! I started panicking thinking my MBP had a failing harddrive. Then I realized I rented the wrong MBP charger. It was for an Air! 😝

Macmini w/ ssd here. Noise happens intermittently while idle, continuously while scrolling, burst when clicking action box or closing windows.

Same problem with 2 finger scrolling noise with the power cord plugged in and the noise went away with the power cord disconnected. I checked the magnetic connection and found a small piece of metal debris in it preventing the power cord from fully attaching. Once removed, the noise went away.