Level 2

227 points

Popping Sound, MBP 2016

I have heard a strange noice from my MBP, and am not sure if this is expected or not. Model is MacBook Pro 2016 with Touchbar, 15 inch, Radeon Pro 460, 2.9GhZ i7, 2TB SSD.

The sound occurs rarely, there may be several days or more straight that I don't hear it, though when it occurs, it may happen 2-3 times in a half hour period. There is no association I can make with what I'm doing at the time, so I'm unable to recreate it. The sound is a single hollow "popping" noise, similar to if you slowly squeeze a plastic bottle until it crinkles. The sound is not very loud, but clearly audible, and sounds as if it is coming from approximately behind the trackpad. I've had no other notable problems with this computer to date, have made no modifications to any hardware, or used it in any abnormal way.

I'm not terribly bothered by the sound itself, but I'm aware that the battery is located roughly behind the trackpad, and I worry that an expanding battery might sound like this. The case is not flexed or distorted in any way, there is no abnormal heat being generated, and no smoke, smells, or fumes. I think this is unlikely to be the cause, but is serious enough that I would like an alternative explanation before I disregard it. Alternate explanations might be abnormal activation of haptic feedback, or flexing of internal components as adhesives or seals continue to cure since manufacturing (laptop manufacture date 12-19-2016). The OS X battery status is "Good", "No errors", Simplo model bq20z451, battery manufacture date 12-2-2016.

Thanks for any help!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12.2), 15 Inch, Radeon Pro 460, 2.9GHZ i7

Posted on Jan 12, 2017 11:04 AM

Top-ranking reply

Sachin797

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Sep 13, 2017 9:01 AM

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!

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874 replies

Jun 3, 2019 8:36 PM in response to Michael DN

My laptop just started making this popping noise too. I have a 2018 MacBook Pro 13" with Touchbar and an 2.7Ghz i7 processor, 16GB of 2133MHz LPDDR3 RAM and 512GB SSD.

Jun 24, 2019 1:09 PM in response to Michael DN

I have the same problem macbookpro 15 inch 2017. It began exactly one year after the purchase, the warranty has already flown. Apple to take more money for a replacement, freaks

Jun 25, 2019 6:33 PM in response to Michael DN

Hello

There is some answer or solution to this problem? There are several users with the same problem but apple does not deliver a formal response. How long should we wait?

Jul 23, 2019 6:26 PM in response to Community User

Then more users should report this problem to Apple through other channels. this post apparently doesn't review it

Aug 5, 2019 8:16 AM in response to Michael DN

I was so happy when I bought the 2015 model.

Now having bought a 2016 model with a touchbar, I am very upset with so much marriage in it... This is a powerful blow to Apple's reputation

sangtuan

Level 1

9 points

Aug 11, 2019 8:07 PM in response to Michael DN

mine also having the same issue! crack and pop sound coming out from the hinges!

Sep 3, 2019 10:05 AM in response to DPJ

Has anyone had issues with the 2019 Macbook Pro popping? It seems to be the 2016 and 2017 models that are having the popping issue. Trying to determine if trading up is worth it.

DPJ

Level 4

1,374 points

Sep 3, 2019 10:11 AM in response to erikendswithak

There's been no issue with 2018-2019 models. I've honestly only known about the 2016. Never heard of anyone claiming the 2017's having popping sound.

DPJ

Level 4

1,374 points

Sep 9, 2019 10:53 AM in response to erikendswithak

"I asked that if this is normal use that why more Apple techs are aware of it. “It’s not well known.”"

Which Apple Store was that? I'll give them a call about it.

Sep 9, 2019 7:45 PM in response to asrujit

What settings did you adjust the fan speed too?

Nov 25, 2019 3:46 AM in response to Michael DN

Unfortunately, I have the same problem. My machine is no longer under warranty. It's pretty worrying about such an expensive Macbook!

Nov 26, 2019 1:26 PM in response to Michael DN

Does anyone know exactly what makes a clicking sound? Which part and why? It may be easier to fix .... Unfortunately, my warranty has expired.

Sonicray

Level 5

4,592 points

Jan 12, 2017 8:28 PM in response to Michael DN

same here...

loud "pop" sound from under the touchpad ( late 2016 MBP 15")

Apr 16, 2017 12:10 PM in response to mattlopez

Exactly the same for me. (15 inches 2.6 GHz, 1To SSD, 460)

only once CLAC at opening. coming back after being closed at least one hour
pops when the macbook is heating up, coming from the middle bottom of display back, or under the touch bar (difficult to locate)
pops/crack when I press the middle bottom of display back
no noise coming from speakers, no noisy keybord

I mostly use my macbook on laps or in bed on my chest when browsing (on a flat surface when in load)

Apart from that, my MBPRtb works like a charm.

SO : as I leave 100km from an apple Store , AND knowing that the so-said Genius have no idea about how to cure that noise, AND Apple has not released any official position about this issue, AND my computer is still under warrantee, AND the issue is worrying but bearable (regardless the terrible sensation of having the quality of a chromebook for a tag price 3,2k€). THEN I will wait for an official position from Apple to send the computer back to the A.S.

At the worst I will do that at warranty end, expecting to have a new one (and praying to have a flawless unit in return)

Jun 1, 2017 11:36 AM in response to notcloudy

So, here are the specifics of how I am using my 15 inch MBP with Touchbar and what I am seeing:

Have it closed on upstairs island in Kitchen. Open it and the screen pops. I think, "wow that is really crappy for a $3,000 laptop." Close it and try it again immediately it doesn't happen. I think "Great, now I can't duplicate it."
Leave it closed and carry it down to my office. Set it on my office desk. Open the case, it pops. I think, "Yep, that's crappy."
I check some email while its open, browse some web pages. Great. I leave the lid open. I go to work on another machine. About 10 minutes later, the Macbook Pro pops. I look at it but don't touch it. About 5 minutes later it pops again. Sorry I can't correlate that with the ambient temperature in my office or barometric pressure. You know, but for my Surface Pro (or any laptops I've owned over the past 15 years) that really hasn't been an issue.
A few minutes later, it pops again on its own, I close the lid and it no longer pops (thank god). I think, "the only winning move is not to play."
About an hour later I open the Macbook Pro to check email again and the screen gives a huge pop.

tldr; It pops all the time. I wish it didn't.

The unfortunate part is that I feel better when I don't use it. I really like the laptop aside from the popping... but it's not a good feeling. I don't even want to sell it, because then it's like selling someone a defective product. I really don't know what the answer is beside concluding it's an expensive reminder not to buy first generation Apple products.

Maybe Apple will surprise us. Maybe?

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Popping Sound, MBP 2016