Popping Sound, MBP 2016

@rainer114 I'd get it looked at immediately - you may likely need a logic board replacement. This is a known hardware issue (software updates haven't worked) that affects a lot of people. But due to the variance in sound intensity, many people don't notice or are not aware of it (if it's softer on their machine).

I had this issue. They had to change the Top Case and the Logic Board twice - before I lucked out on a logic board that doesn't have this issue. I'm not a computer expert but it could be an inherent design flaw due to either the construction of the MacBook Pro or the choice of hardware within the logic board which is conflicting with each other. Either way, you may have to visit your nearest shop a couple of times before the issue is resolved. Don't worry too much if you're still covered by warranty, the Apple geniuses are very helpful.

I can confidently say that having the display replaced has corrected the popping noise. As we can all agree, the noise is a hollow popping sound that appears during heating up and cooling down period of the unit. The easy way to think of it is like a hot tin roof making noises as it heats and cools down during the day. In this case my belief is that panel internally must be glued down and the adhvesive is just lifting.

If you have warranty, get it done. Have fun!!!!!

As this sound can also be heard when the computer is turned off, I think thats because of the aluminum body. This sound is mostly heard in a short period of time after the computer is turned on (and is getting hotter). I think thats because of the aluminum casing. Of course it can be heard a few moments after shutdown, too (Where the system starts to cool down). Or while working with the mac especially when the system starts to get warmer due to a heavy process. I think this is similar to the scenario in which my bedroom's window (which is made of aluminum as well) makes similar sounds in sunny winter afternoons and thats because the window is cold and in the afternoon sunlight hits directly to my window and makes it warmer. 🤔

Apple replaced my display last week. No popping sound anymore. I am convinced it’s a problem where the adhesive inside the screen is detaching and re-attaching due to temperature fluctuations.

I have had this problem repeatedly since my first machine in October 2016. They replaced the screen, then it came back, then they replaced the logic board, SSD, and external casing... and surprise, it came back again, with the addition of a weird popping noise coming from the L speaker. At that point they didn't know what to do and swapped my computer out for a new replacement. Subsequent machines had a blown L speaker with crackly / static sound distortion despite my never turning the volume past say 70%, and also developed the original popping noise coming from the display. Long story short, I have had my $3,500 laptop replaced THREE times and it's back being serviced AGAIN now. This is a COMMON PROBLEM... as there are over 2,800+ other people who have clicked "I have this problem too" on this support page thread.

There should be a MASSIVE recall of these laptops in which they either fix the display assembly, hinge, and speakers, or just release an updated version of the machine with a different design that addresses the issue and swap them out for people a la VW diesel emissions recall.

I love Apple but this process is driving me crazy and is consuming a lot of my time, especially considering the nosebleed prices I fork over for their products. Having gone without my laptop for collective weeks during the multitude of repairs, I now just buy a new laptop to use as a "loaner" and return it once I receive my machine back from repairs. Yes, this is a crazy and absurd process to have to go through. I haven't seen any formal acknowledgement / recall program from Apple regarding the issue. If anyone reading this is still having the problem and are out of warranty, I would take it to a Genius Bar and show them this thread that describes the problem we're having and shows that over 2,800 other customers are having the same problem. They should be willing to replace the display again for you and if not, I would just politely ask to discuss the matter with the store manager. Explain everything to the manager - the recurrent nature of the issue, the time and productivity you've lost trying to address it, and the fact that it is a COMMON problem for which their company has yet to offer a definitive solution. Here's to hoping they formally acknowledge the issue and decide to make it right for their customers. I should have a trophy for the number of hours (read: DAYS) I've spent at the Genius Bar dealing with this problem.

I had the issue and it never returned after repair. It was in the display and Apple replaced the display. I've seen many others with the same success.

"draw your own conclusions"

Online forums also have agendas, so you have take what you read with a grain of salt. Draw your own conclusions. 😊

"When there is more than one user who has a common failure by logic is a component that is defective...."

You've got to be kidding. Out of millions of computers sold of course there will be more than one person with the same issues. That doesn't constitute the need for a repair program. Especially in this case with the popping sound. I had this issue with my 2016 MBP. And yes, I read others with this issue but it's always been right out of the box. The popping sound does not happen only outside of the 1 year warranty. Apple replaced my display because that's where the popping sound was coming from. I had that done two months into ownership. Zero issues after that.

You have a one year warranty. If you choose not to buy AppleCare and you choose not to get a repair done until the one year warranty has ended then no company is obliged to do an out of warranty repair for free. This is getting quite ridiculous.

What's next? Uneven screen brightness after the one year warranty is up. "Repair Program Required"? Logic board failure after the one year warranty is up. "Repair Program Required"? SSD failure after the one year warranty is up. "Repair Program Required"? Then there's no reason to buy AppleCare if entitled people expect free our of warranty repairs no matter the issue. SMH.

My MacBook Pro12,1 (early 2015) just started making a popping noise when first used in the morning for a few minutes.

It makes sense that its thermal expansion creak since the fan has not come on but the entire machine has warmed a few degrees from the overnight ambient. Usually I hear just one "pop" in a day of constant use.

I have no dents in the case or any other known anomalies. My machine is under warranty.

While detracting from the aesthetic, I am not worried about it unless it is found that an internal component is being worn prematurely because of it.

I do find that hard to believe. I can't hear an Apple rep saying that. As stated earlier on this thread mine does it too.

I have read much about it and the waiting times to get it sorted with it only to return. I therefore decided to forget it. I don't think the laptop will stop working. It's just a heat-related issue between the screen and the frame or similar. The popping noises are caused by expansion and sometimes contraction as well. I can live with it.

After worrying about things like this I've found that almost all laptops have one issue or another and Dave 2D did a great video about these foibles on YouTube a while ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNR3xPNxzgM

Apple do not read these forums. In all cases here, the best option is to set up a support call through which you can make an appointment at an Apple shop to discuss and demonstrate the issue. My personal experience is that they will give good service if you remain calm and present facts in a reasonable and informed manner.

Apologies for the bad news, but both my MBP2016 TB and MBP2018 TB computers had this issue.

Swapped it out at the Apple Shop a couple of times before I got a working laptop.

It's strange how naive Apple can be about these things. Whilst realising they must keep an open mind, the popping noise from the early MacBook Pro 2016 models is well documented. Mine has had it from the start but I decided I could live with it. It's heat related and only bothers me when I think about the price versus this sort of issue! I can't really afford to be without the machine but if I thought the whole thing was going to die I still have a John Lewis extended warranty.

Reading endless comments here describing 'Genius' bars as not knowing what the problem is suggests they may be doing a 9-5 job on the product. I have asked quite a few Apple Store employees about their own Apple equipment only to find they own very little and it's often quite dated. Unless you really live and take an almost unhealthy interest in the products then it's going to take a lot of training to identify these issues.

During my last visit to an Apple store we played role reversal where I told the assistant all about the value of the now defunct Airport Express. They simply had no idea about the wider picture. I have found the same on support calls. Very helpful language but often not a deep understanding of the product.

This is not really a serious criticism. It's the same across many complex areas such as musical instrument manufacture. There are really only a handful of people who fully understand acoustics in relation to instrument design. Finding the right person is key I would suggest.

Right, and that's the model I had, so I was definitely searching about how many people had this popping sound. I referenced Macrumors since more people post there. 99% of them reporting this problem were right out of the box. It's a defect in the display. It shouldn't take over a year for it to happen. It should easily show up within the first 12 months. I cannot reiterate enough that anyone spending upwards of $3000 for a computer should buy extended warranty no matter the manufacturer.

Hello I have seen in other forums that several users have the same problem. some change the screen and others the motherboard and even they have changed the equipment but the sound returns to the time later. in conclusion they suggest that the model has a problem in the hinges of the screen. draw your own conclusions ..

greetings

Macbook Pro 2016 15'. I'm experiencing this random popping sound too (the videos in this thread "show" the issue pretty well). I don't think it has anything to do with warm up. I already chatted with Apple Support and they only recommended software solutions. Didn't want to try those and checked if anything could make the popping noise on my Macbook.

I might have found the source:

The screen / screen hinge. If I press on the in the middle of the screens backplate near the screen hinge (close to or on the edge) I hear a very similar popping sound. Works in opened and closed position.

Please check if this could be the source on your Macbook too and reply to this comment.