Popping Sound, MBP 2016

"Yesterday I took my macbook pro to a technical service to check the display and the popping sound. Technician told me that they had no information about this fault and for Apple"

I don't believe one word of that. 2 years ago I had a 2016 MBP 15" with the popping noise. I took it to the Apple store Genius Bar and they said the issue was discovered and is well documented throughout the company. They took my MacBook Pro in for repair and replaced the display assembly and I've had no more issues since then. I have since upgraded to a 2018 MBP.

@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. 🤔

I have a late 2018 13 inch Mac Book Pro, I have had this popping problem in past 3 months.

I took the machine to apple store last month but they claimed they were unable to reproduce the problem but cleaned the main board due to some dust and etc being there which seemed ridiculous. They asked me to bring it back if the problem persists.

I returned the machine after 20 days with same problem, this time they sent the machine to another center and changed the whole display, rear vent and wifi antenna. I just got it back and I am working with the it now and have not heard any popping so far in the first day. I am not sure if the problem reoccurs after 4-5 months as other users stated, in that case I am screwed since it will be out of warranty! Finger crossed :)

I took the liberty and contacted Apple customer support and spoke with a Tier 2 tech. There are notes in the system about repairing this issue. Not a shocker if a store isn't aware but the repair depot knows about the problem and fixed it. There's no repair programs out for this since it did not affect the majority, so if you're out of warranty you will have to pay for the repair.

And please, it's getting ridiculous the responses I'm getting. Apple makes the computer. They know how to repair their own product. Don't tell me they can't fix it. They know how to build it, they know how to fix it. Some posts here are getting pretty fishy.

I'm not sure why Apple did the repair that way. The problem is in the display assembly. I had a 2016 MBP and the popping sound happened right away when I bought it brand new in the box directly from Apple. I took it to the Apple store and they sent it out for repair. It came back with a new display. I didn't understand why. They explained the problem is in the display assembly. Never had a single problem afterwards. Others on the web also had the display replaced and their popping issue is gone.

"However, the sound/problem has not been fixed."

"I guess I should call apple"

Yes you should. I can't imagine why you would resort to a forum right after Apple just "repaired" your MacBook and you're dissatisfied with the results. Makes no sense. Regardless what this forum tells you Apple is not going to read the replies here and simply say "Oh silly us, the forum is right, let's fix it THEIR way".

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. 😊

And yet I took mine to the Apple store and they replaced the display and problem solved. No more popping. Rather than constantly talking to Apple on the phone you should do the same and take it to the repair center.

"I am simply after an official response or acknowledgement that the problem exists and a simple description outlining the cause of the problem "

": "Bring your macbook in for repair and we'll replace the adhesive in the screen for $(price), which will remove the intermittent popping noises")."

I had a 2016 MBP (which I mentioned earlier) and experienced the popping noise. Apple replaced the display assembly and the popping noise was gone completely. I didn't need an official statement. For what? When companies acknowledge/admit things publicly all that does is cause an uproar (which it sounds like what you're hoping for) which would lead to class action lawsuits and force the company to repair the problem free of charge for people who are out of warranty.

" a browse through the most recent posts in this discussion suggests that many others experiencing this problem with post-2018 Macbook Pros."

Due to Fedex messing up the shipping my MacBook was damaged and Apple replaced it with a 2017. Not a single popping sound. I decided to upgrade and now I have a 2018 MBP and once again no issues with popping sound. At least I have experience with all 3 versions and there's been no reports of a 2019 having this issue.

My understanding is that it's the screen and the way it fits within the lid. There is flexing here when there is heat or when opening and closing the lid. The popping is random, but can happen without touching anything due to the stresses caused by heat. Mine does it but I let it go as I couldn't afford to be without it and wasn't convinced it would get sorted without another issue occurring.

"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.