snap crackle pop noices from iMac 27

It seems that the Maverick update has solved the problem for me! 😎

Sorry to dig up this old thread but I have this exact same issue on my brand new 27" iMac. Did anyone ever find out what the problem is?

The static 'click' sound was coming from the lower right of my screen and I actually had it replaced a few days ago, the replacement had the problem out of both sides on arrival, I was gutted. The issue has become less often now but it's still doing it from the lower right.

A friend of mine also purchased the exact same iMac as me a few days later and I've just come and checked to see if his does it too... and it does! Not as often but its there, bottom right. So irritating!

Let me know what you guys discovered

Thanks in advance

Oreo5000 wrote:

Sorry to dig up this old thread but I have this exact same issue on my brand new 27" iMac. Did anyone ever find out what the problem is?

The static 'click' sound was coming from the lower right of my screen and I actually had it replaced a few days ago, the replacement had the problem out of both sides on arrival, I was gutted. The issue has become less often now but it's still doing it from the lower right.

A friend of mine also purchased the exact same iMac as me a few days later and I've just come and checked to see if his does it too... and it does! Not as often but its there, bottom right. So irritating!

Let me know what you guys discovered

Thanks in advance

I had this issue when I first got my Late 2012 iMac. I noticed the crackle/pop noise became less and less as time went on, till the point where it stopped altogether. Roughly after a month or so.

The noise comes from the high adhesive foam tape that holds the glass and screen together. It does this because it is still (for want of a better word) curing still. Has the iMac warms and cools, there is a tiny bit of contraction/expansion, this is where the noise comes from.

Wow really? Did apple admit this to you?

This sounds more like a static shock 'click' just as you would get if you rubbed your hand on carpet and then gave someone's arm a shock. The sound is always identical, there are no variations in pitch or frequency if that makes sense? Is this the same as what you experienced?

Also it sounds more like the sound is coming from/near the speaker rather than the screen area

Oreo5000 wrote:

Wow really? Did apple admit this to you?

This sounds more like a static shock 'click' just as you would get if you rubbed your hand on carpet and then gave someone's arm a shock. The sound is always identical, there are no variations in pitch or frequency if that makes sense? Is this the same as what you experienced?

Also it sounds more like the sound is coming from/near the speaker rather than the screen area

I don’t think Apple admitted it.

But I have heard it mentioned on various forums that the cause been what I mentioned earlier about the bonding tape.

It makes sense too be honest, has the crackle/pop sound gets less and less over time (as you would expect as the glue/bonding dries/cures).

I must admit that it does sound like a static shock. Not saying that all cases of this noise are caused by the bonding tape, but if yours gets less and less and stops after around a month or so, then I would guess that this was the cause of the noise on your iMac. If it continues after 6 weeks, then I would contact Apple to arrange for it to be looked at

The sound I had was the same sound every time, the only thing that changed was the length of time between hearing the noise to then hearing the sound the next time. The duration became less and less has time went on.

It was hard to pin point the position of the noise, but it was towards the bottom/lower area of the iMac.

Me too...

Ordered my first 27" imac , noticed the 'popping' sound, sent it back for a swap, second one did the same. Drove 100 mile roud trip and bought THIRD one from the shop, took it home, powered it up.........same.

its now in a box and i am making the round trip again Monday night for a FULL refund.

Not bothering with imac's any more.

To note, over the last five years I have had two from the Apple refurb store (sent back due to faults) and now three from Apple store/online store, so a whopping FIVE iMacs with faults ....something ain't right here is it.....

Very dissappointed in the quality of these, very poor. Would rather have one a bit thicker, without the fault than a slim/slick one with issues. Style over substance me thinks...........sometimes the best looking ain't the best and that applies to more than just imacs :-)

Wow.. Just want to let you know it is possible to get one without the crackle, pop, boom. I managed to do it with my 5th iMac and after a year it's still good..(luckily.)

So it's your call really... just blows my mind that this is still a problem EVEN after the update.

Good luck DeclanmDillon.

Yeah this is pretty insane, it seems like most of them have the issue, maybe people just get used to it or dont hear it. I know a friend of mines does the exact same thing but he doesnt really notice it, whereas it drives me insane.

My replacement is still doing it, although a lot less often now which would maybe suggest its simply is 'bedding in' so speak, as tal1971 suggested the adhesive may still be drying.

My only fear is waiting 6 months to see if it still does it, and then getting to the 6 month mark and still having the issue and not being able to replace it.

obikenobi - 5!?? that is insane. Did Apple happily keep replacing it until you ended up with a non issue one?

My advice to anyone having the snap/pop sound is wait for six weeks (after first getting your iMac) and see if it still continues to do it after this length of time. If it does then contact Apple.

I held on to mine as I noticed the more I used it, the less and less the popping occurred. After a month it was no longer happening at all.

By now this should be a well documented problem and Apple should include some notice with the new iMac letting owners know what is going on. Still it is crazy that they are shipping units with this flaw.

OMG.. my imac 27 inch just started today where everything played sounds like crap... its like an AM radio running on a dead 9 volt battery,,,, it all started to happen after the last Yosemite update was pushed down from Apple.

I guess since the imac is 3 years old, a software push to certain model macs will bring those customers back into the store where I can spend another 4K on a nw imac (lol)

if anyone has a fix for this annoying cracking let me know!

I have the same problem with my iMac (Late 2013, 3,2 GHz, Fusion Drive, 16 GB RAM, OS X 10.10.2) which I bought in December 2014.

In addition I have a similar problem with my iPad Air 2 which bought also in December 2014 (iPad air 2 pop noise).

Is it a hardware or software problem? How can I fix it?

DocHollywood wrote:

I have the same problem with my iMac (Late 2013, 3,2 GHz, Fusion Drive, 16 GB RAM, OS X 10.10.2) which I bought in December 2014.

In addition I have a similar problem with my iPad Air 2 which bought also in December 2014 (iPad air 2 pop noise).

Is it a hardware or software problem? How can I fix it?

You don't!

Apple>About This Mac>More Info>Service

Please read the warranty paperwork that came w/your computer.

You have 14 days to return the computer w/no questions asked.

You have 90 days of FREE phone tech support on top of your standard 1 year warranty unless you also purchased AppleCare which gives you an additional 2 years of coverage plus FREE phone support.

Strongly suggest that you take FULL advantage of the above before it runs out. Let Apple deal w/the problems.

Could you fix the problem? Did you buy a new iMac? I would be very grateful for a answer.

Could you fix the problem? Did you buy a new iMac? I would be very grateful for a answer.