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!!!!!

I had the popping sound issue a few months after buying my MacBook Pro.

Some other issued appeared the meanwhile (maybe related or non related): clicking sound at the mouse level upping opening the screen when cold, a loose part sound when moving the computer from side to side, some sticky keyboard keys when the computer gets really warm (mainly "E, R", "U, I", and Caps Lock keys), and a distorted right speaker sound.

The equipment was serviced last week and they changed the top case and display assembly and everything has been working perfectly for the last 4 days.: no popping, no clicking, no stickiness.

Let's hope everything remains that way!

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".

top lid make this issue. It's simple to reproduce by pressing on back side of 'MacBook Pro' label. Seems not reproduce on grey MacBook Pro.

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.

Bring my My BPR TB 15 2016, last Monday evening to an APR , BIMP in Grenoble-France

Problem was : Clac ! at opening, Pop ! when heating, Crack ! when opening and pressing back of screen, bling bling! when tapping the trackpad and palm rest, or moving the MBP, or putting it on a table

A real orchestra !!

Got it back tonight..

They changed the top case for the bling ! and the pop ! (Yes, a new battery for me)

And the display for the rest of noises !

Should be 1100€ without warranty

Verdict : no more noise, even under load. So far so good ! (in French : jusqu'ici tout va bien, jusqu'ici tout va bien, jusqu'ici tout va bien...)

I have to point the excellent contact of the people working at the APR, their great professional conscience, and a much much better take into account of the issue (MUCH better than people from Apple phone customer support)

I had my screen replaced about 1.5 weeks ago, and so far, the popping noises have stopped. Previously, they replaced the top case twice, one of those times also replacing the fans. Neither of those repairs fixed the popping issue, but they were necessary since my problems ended up resulting in a blown speaker.

So far, so good, with this repair. Feeling much better about this computer now.

Its been a full month since Apple replace my display, which is also the "top" aluminum case of the computer. Its been perfect ever since. I think the top and display are all the same thing. I got lucky because I had some bad pixels and so it was a no brainer for a return. I still find it hard to believe that Apple doesn't have this documented as a known issue. My guess is its on the fringe in some cases and replacing a Retina display for ever occurrence is a costly endeavor as we all know Apple is tight on cash.

I was able to reproduce the popping noise almost evert time by starting the laptop from a shut down state, then running the Cinebench benchmarking application immediately and performing the CPU/GPU benchmarking tests in a loop.

I believe this caused the laptop to heat up and then cause it to pop!

Not sure whether this will work for you, but you can give it a shot.

If you can deal with it, maybe wait it out. A little ways back in this thread (I'll try finding it later), one user already pin pointed what the issue is. The tip of the spring or something located in the display assembly is too sharp and is creating the popping noise. He smoothed it out with a file and the noise disappeared. Another user noted that the noise disappeared completely after several months of use and it's speculated that the sharp edge smooths itself out after a period of time.

Alternatively, you can demand they replace the top case and display and hopefully get the "good" parts. I have the 2017 model and haven't experienced the popping issue yet (I've had it for over a month). Just a fair warning though, the new issue I'm experiencing is arguably more annoying than the popping was on my 2016 model. It's a faint "crackle" that happens pretty much constantly, without rhyme or reason. It's super frustrating and makes me want to chuck my MacBook at a tree.

My late 2016 MBP 15" Touch Bar - pops like crazy - and its getting louder all the time. HOWEVER - what I am now noticing is that the area at base of the screen at the bottom rear , sort of behind the "MacBook Pro" screen printed area - is were the noise is coming from - and that I can replicate it by pushing in on the screen form behind - so the rear panel is almost de-laminating from the screen - and its possible that this is becoming looser over time.

A colleague took his own for repair (same issue) - and they said that warm air is getting in between the clam shell and the screen itself and causing the issue - and that it gets worse over time.