Popping Sound, MBP 2016

Hi AlphaHelix,

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If the issue is indeed the heat/friction interaction between the antenna and surrounding wires, is this something that will eventually cause appreciable damage to the computer's functionality, or is it "cosmetic" in the sense that it doesn't threaten an aspect of the computer to a point that renders the computer in need of repair? Will this become a problem over time?

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I think apple engineers must have taken those factor (heat & friction) into consideration at very early stage of development process. Those are mechanical design factor for fatigue due to cyclic/periodic/regular use (such as - opening & closing of the display) and due to random & repetitive thermal response from the laptop. Which needs to be taken into consideration while design laptop components. Also, They should have thought these factor during the design & development stage and the problem should have become obvious during the prototyping and testing of the product. So, I am not sure if this problem is very selective, which means there is some issue with manufacturing and quality inconsistency.

I am not sure, what kind of design & development process Apple go through and what processes they avoid based on experience and knowledge? As this design was taken from MacBook and it worked fine for small and lighter size laptop during testing. Apple didn't think much about the design improvement while implementing/using the same design to the heavier and big laptops?

The fact all the Apple technician from the genius bar and the engineers from Apple are deeming it as "Cosmetic Issue" is because the all the Macbook Pro model has small pins backed up with a spring system, which is attached to the main circuit board. These pins stop the undercover/backcover of the laptop to touch the circuit and may as well support them(I think)? They think, due to the heat from the laptop makes the pins pop from time to time.

It may become an obvious problem over time, or may not? I cant say much, but what I did notice was. The plastic used to make antenna body is of superior quality. It was easy to file and after filling the sharp edges, I cleaned it with wet tissue paper and it was not very obvious as if the edges were filled. However, I cant speak much about the quality of display wire connector and ribbon. We might see that this becomes a problem over a period of time. But, I would recommend the people popping noise problem should at least register the issue with Apple. So they are aware of the issue and when Apple will finally roll a repair service, the laptop might get repaired?

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If you look back in the history of this thread, I believe several posters mentioned that their popping sound went away after several months.

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I dont remember seeing such message from members of this forum? Can you point me out to the message?

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Is this caused by the friction between the antenna and the wires eventually becoming "smooth" through repeated bending/passing over?

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may be, quite possible. As I said, the plastic was not very hard and eary to wear & tear under friction.

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I.e. did you speed up this smoothing process by rounding the antenna with a nail file?

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I like to investigate engineering problems and when I saw the damages to the wire. I was able to connect the link. So, I tried and it worked for me. When I inspected at the antenna's edge, it was sharp, not as sharp to cut my finger or wire. But sharp enough to raise my eyebrows.

I will soon pull together some images and instructions for the work you all.

All the best!

<Edited by Host>

Hi Everyone,

Problem Solved!

Last week, I did a "chat" with Apple's support online. I told them that I've been following this thread, and that I did not want to goto the Apple Store, unless there is a solution. Just to save time. I was escalated to another "chat" rep. The second person, told me that they knew of the problem. (it helped that I had a video recording of the sound).

He created a case for me and made notes. He said, the store can do the repair.

I took my computer to the store on Friday. Explained the situation and told them to check the case number. They did, and have no further questions. They said, they did not have the part, but could do the repair in the store. However, I'd need to wait for the parts. Or, they can ship it to Apple for the repair.

So, I had them ship to Apple.

I got it back today.

Apple replaced the screen and case. It looks great and no popping sound. Also, when I move the screen slightly, no popping sound.

So far so good! Yeah!

Hope this is helpful to someone.

Ethan-

They gave me the choice. He said they could fix it in the store, but did not have the part, so it may take a week to get the part. Or, if they ship it to apple, they could fix it and get it back in my hands faster. So I choose to have thrum ship it to apple.

I suppose I could have held onto my computer and asked them to call me when the part comes jn.

But I also felt better about spoke fixing it over Thad local dude working st the mall.

I asked them if they had a loaner. Normally they do. But just ran out.

E-

Follow-up. Something interesting has happened with my late 2016 15 MBPtb. I've been hard wired for about a week with the Mac sitting on my desk. Screen has been on roughly a 100 degree angle. I had all my work stuff open for days. Noticed MacBook was consistently running a little hot, then realized via Activity monitor I had an app pegged at 33% CPU... must have been that way for maybe 4-5 days. Bad process, but basically the MBP was running quite hotter than normal for an extended period. No popping. Killed the process in Activity Monitor and CPU comes down, things cool off. No popping. Powered off for a bit and powered on. No popping. Some have been talking about wearing the antenna or cable out after a period of weeks and months and this seems to be happening for me as well. Hasn't popped in two days or so at least that I've noticed and my issue was incessant (30 times a day or so). Keep everyone posted. I think I might have 'cooked' the issue away....? I'm not recommending doing anything that may harm your Mac, but I wonder if anyone else has a heavy consistent workload like Final Cut or similar running for extended stretch, if they've also experienced a subsidence in the popping. Anyway, Weird.

Did it finally stop making the noise?

I too have the same problem. I took it to Apple and they just tested it and nothing came out. They formatted it and gave it back to me and the POP sound is still there.

Reset did not work for me, diagnostic did not pick up an issue either, it is almost certainly hardware caused, most likely hinge related. I just had my entire screen assembly replaced by apple (authorized repairer). The process i used to be able to replicate the pop no longer seems to work, fingers crossed it's fixed although the initial problem took around 2 months of use before it began. The person who posted the cause as screen ribbon cable related may be on the money.

Hi there! After a few days I was carry my MacBook Pro 2016 to an Apple Reseller. 2 days after they call me saying that they will change my Macbook for a brand new Macbook Pro, but the day when I was gone, they give to me a brand new Macbook Pro 2017! I'm feeling so lucky. The second day, when I'm using my brand new MBP 2017, I've noticed that the spacebar key has a little sticky sound. But all other things of the Mac is ok and the most important... NO MORE POPPING SOUND! and the keys doesn't got sticky when the Mac warms up like the 2016 model.

Hey have you experienced anymore issues since it was repaired? I still have the issue. my MacBook Pro 15 in with touch bar is one of the first ones made when first came out and have the problem daily.

I posted earlier in this thread. Hinge popping occurred on my 3 week old 2017 MBP 13". Contacted support and said i should take it into apple store to get it looked at. Scheduled an appointed but a few days later, the engineering department called me directly and said they would replace my machine with a brand new one. Just received the new one and so far, no hinge popping so all looks well but only time will tell. The employee i worked with was very keen on getting me satisfied. Said the issue has occurred (or been reported) on less than 1% of the machines they have sold so it is not prevalent (though i wonder how many people just don't report it). I don't really understand why my situation has been treated differently than some on this forum. Hope this helps. Let me know if there are any questions i can answer with my experience.

I got my MacBook Pro 13'' back this week, but the popping is still there. I contacted the same Apple Authorized Service Provider, but they said that they couldn't reproduce the sound after having replaced the "Display assembly 661-05324". They also said that they have no idea what is causing the issue.

I wonder if they should have replaced other parts, too.

However, the Apple Advisor I contacted earlier said that the problem shouldn't harm the laptop in any way. I hope that that's true.

That's very unfortunate. Today is rather humid in my area, I imagine it has something to do with it, but while I was applying the recent macOS Sierra update, my 2016 15" was popping like crazy, like every few seconds or so. Now that it's been installed it stopped. The noise not only came from the hinge of the display but also from the bottom casing.

I bought it refurbished in April. I'm monitoring this thread until Apple acknowledges it and fixes it properly.

It appears if I consistently punish the CPU - I have a few apps that will keep things hot - the popping won’t occur. I had a stretch of a few days with CPU essentially pegged and the MacBook stayed warm. During this time, no popping, but after powering down for an hour and cooling off, popping returned after 2 min of boot. For me it Ebs and flows w the temp readings. I’ve had the lower half and antenna / fan unit replaced w two different repairs. Only thing left is the screen / housing. Going to drop off before my Holiday next month.

I am facing the same issues as all of you plus what previous posters have documented about applying pressure to the back hinge and replicating the pop sound. I realized the latter when I took the Mac off of my desk and actually used it on my lap for a change. The way I placed it cause the stupid pop/crackle sound. I have recorded a series of videos to have as backup if I cannot replicate the issue at the apple store, which knowing my luck might be the case. Since most of you guys had repairs, is there anything you recommend I tell the dudes at the Genius Bar not to work on if they come up with some crazy solution?

I have the same problem here with a MacBook Pro 15 2017, but the popping sound blows the left speaker of my three week old laptop, it happens to me when I opened the display, so the problem is not aluminium case related, to me is a BIOS or software issue.

Now the store will be replace the top case that includes the keyboard, touch bar, battery and speakers because the speakers cant be removed individually, they will not replace the computer and I will have a new MacBook Pro fix and not assembled from factory with more risk of failures, that makes me sad and I must get the apple care to be protected and mitigate the risk.

That was my first repair too... top case. Second repair was the plastic fan and antenna replacement. I still have the popping :-/ Going for a machine replacement or display / housing replacement next. Let's keep posting and pushing, this is either a design or part malfunction and they need to own it.