Popping Sound, MBP 2016

I've not experienced any noticeable performance issues with the machine. It runs perfectly well... until the day I get that fed up of the popping I throw it out the window. Apple's response to me was pretty much "... there's no obvious performance issues so hold tight for a recall/fix..."

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.

I had the same problem . Bought the computer from Bestbuy and sent it off twice through Geek Squad service center under manufacturer warranty. Both times they “adjusted the hinges and screen assembly” which only made the hinges extremely flimsy/loose and the original issued continued. After all that trouble I decided to do a mail in repair directly throug Apple. When I spoke to the Apple Care people on the phone it seemed like they didn’t have an option to list the popping noise issue and therefore they kept listing it as faulty speakers and or dead pixels. When it arrived at the repair depot my unit was placed in hold because they needed more information ( I’m guessing because of the lack of notes from the phone AppleCare reps). At this point i was frustrated because I had read in this thread where some Apple technicians couldn’t replicate the issue and would send the computer back to the owner without any repairs. I ended up talking to a senior advisor because I just couldn’t afford to be without my computer for long right at the time school started. I directed him to this threat and other articles, videos and such on the web so he could specifically note it for the techniacians at the repair depot to see what was going on with the computer. After a couple of days I received my unit back with a new screen assembly, hinges felt rigid and the popping noise was gone. So, if you decided to do this as a mail in repair, make sure the AppleCare reps takes specific notes as to what is going on, mention this threat and if the confirmation email has something totally different than what you explained, KINDLY ask to speak with senior adviser and make your case.

Since two weeks, after top case (for the rattle noise near trackpad) and complete display change (for popping noise at opening and heating, and cracking noise when pushing back to MacBook Pro logo), Everything is OK.

they tried to fix the hinges but had to give up because the pop/crack were still here

Changing full display case is the key

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.

Haven't taken a look at this thread in about a month. What's the latest relevant update? Any acknowledgement from Apple? I have the 2017 15" MBP and while it doesn't make the same loud popping noise as my 2016 one did, there is still a noise occurring. It's akin to flicking the corner of a sheet of paper with your thumb..a very soft "click". It doesn't seem to be GPU dependant because it happens while I'm just browsing the web etc, whereas with the 2016 I'd have to fire up a game or really get the fans going for the popping noise to occur. I also can't reproduce the noise by pressing on the the back of the screen like I could with the 2016. Another thing worth noting is that this clicking didn't start occurring until a couple weeks of use.

It's still annoying as **** but I'd rather have this than a clacking-upon-opening lid and loud popping noises. This is my 4th new TB Macbook (3rd 2017 edition) so I'm pretty much done with returning/replacing it as I'm pretty sure Apple will blacklist me if I do it again lol.

With my 2016, I had the top case and display replaced as well and it did not fix the issue. The noise that I'm experiencing now was also present on the previous two 2017's that I had. Have you sat and listened to your machine in complete silence for any length of time? The noise I'm describing is quite faint and isn't really audible unless you're listening for it -- that is, you probably won't hear it if theres a TV on in the room. It also seems to disappear once the machine has been in use for about 30 minutes.

Sorry brother, mine was the classic popping sound when the computer was slightly under load, like connecting a 5k monitor, or heating up slightly. Plus the pop in the hinge. I will say though I have not heard what you are describing, is the computer functioning properly other than that? Hope you find the problem, it can be annoying, we all expect stellar performance from our Apple devices, that's why we buy them. Good luck, sounds like a different issue than most are describing . .

Turns out it's the bottom. The 2016/17 MBPs are so thin that the bottom covers are flimsy. This means when you apply pressure the bottom will press against internals (yeah scary!) and make that pop sound at the center mostly. I never noticed this was the issue until today. I will be taking it to the Apple Service Center today but this is totally a quality issue from Apple. Mine is 2016 MBP. Its possible they fixed this in 2017 MBP like they did when iPhone6 was too slim and could bend easily.

After numerous visits to the apple Service Centre I was able to convince them to replace my display. Got my laptop back today with a brand new display.

My initial tests confirm that replacing the display has fixed the popping sound issue.

I have also noticed that the new display does not make any noises when pressed against at the bottom of the screen. The new display feels more sturdy. Hopefully the issue won't reoccur again after extended usage. Fingers crossed!!

I urge everyone having this issue to be persistent and get the display replaced.

A big thanks to everyone who updated this thread, It was very helpful in getting the problem fixed!

Well, I am sad to report that after having my screen replaced (it was my 3rd repair) and the popping sounds being resolved, today my computer totally died and will not boot up again.

It started by saying "not charging" under battery status while plugged in. I tried a different charger (official Apple chargers) and cable. I tried a different power outlet. It eventually ran out of juice, and will not boot up.

Makes me think that this whole time it was a power issue. I had two blown speakers. Maybe something is shorting out?

I don't know, but I am beyond disappointed and frustrated. I am trying to push AppleCare to finally issue me a replacement because this is utter insanity. This is the 4th major issue since May. Each time I drive to the Apple Store it costs me money and time and frustration. And then it's difficult for me to do my work for days while I wait for a repair.

If Apple doesn't replace it this time, I will be doing everything I can to share my story publicly. It's a complete lemon of a $3000 laptop.

Will just share my experience with this product so far!

Got the MBP 15 2106 in january. Noticed the popping sound. Got it fixed by a replacement of display and top case.

Then, I got the keyboard high pitched sound. Got it fixed by a replacement of top case.

Then, noticed that a little press of the lower part of the case made a clicking sound. Apple geniuses told me a lot of crap but this is expected as the machine is thin.

Now, I am noticing a soft crackling noise. This is softer than the popping noise but I think it is starting again.

the thing that bother me the most, is the fact that I don't have any confidence in this product now. when I hear a noise, I immediatly think it is a new issue from the MBP, even when it is caused by any other object in the room.

Apple, please do something.

I have an update, I have now gotten a new display and a new topcase+battery, it seems to have solved all the problems entirely. There are so far no more pops and the entire laptop feels somehow more rigid then before. Everybody that has this problem, make a video that illustrates the popping sound and request a new display case and a topcase.

The cause of this problems is clearly a quality problem in the manufacturing process.

Thanks stef. Can everybody whose recently had their display/top case replaced please give us an update 2-3 weeks after the repair was made. My 2017 was fine and then about two weeks in, it started to crackle. It's quieter than the popping I experienced with my 2016 Macbook but it's definitely more frequent and arguably more annoying. I'm suspecting these problems are only occurring once the laptop has had a chance to break in, which seems to happen "coincidentally" at the tail end of Apple's return period.

I have the same issue. Just chatted with AppleCare online and it's an "unknown issue". Surely not. I pointed them here.

I've just started getting this. Can they actually solve the problem?

15inch 2016 2.7GHz Intel Core i7 16GB RAM Radeon Pro 460 4096 MB Intel HD graphics 530 1536 MB