Popping Sound, MBP 2016

I purchased the top of the line 15" MBP with 460 gpu, 2.7 i7, 1tb hd, et al, and just started having these same issues the last couple of weeks.

First noticed I when I'd pick up the closed laptop from the hinge or trackpad side, I'd hear a pop or clunk noise. Then that started to happen more frequently when I would pick it up, usually after the laptop has been sitting cold and closed and asleep.

Yesterday, while using the laptop (not intensely), and playing no music or sounds, I heard a random pop/crinkle noise, like a plastic bottle being crunched, from the left side of the laptop. I played some music to test, because it sounded like it came from the speaker. Lo and behold, the left speaker sounded blown (thin, tinny sound compared to what it used to sound like). Now, the left speaker works when it feels like it. Most of the time it's completely dead now.

Just today, I heard the SAME noise from the right side speaker, while using the laptop normally and not under any load. And same result, a blown right side speaker that now sounds like crap.

I called AppleCare and got a case number for all of these issues. I'm out of country until the end of the year, so I can't send it in or take to a store to get fixed until then. I don't have much faith that this $3500 laptop will make it.

I'm very disappointed in Apple. My Apple Watch, bought new in Dec 2015, also **** the bed. Heavily considering migrating away from their products if this can't get resolved. From the sounds of this thread, it sounds like the "geniuses" and Apple have no clue. I hope they are reading this.

I have the same issue, i went to the store and they told me it was caused by one of the buttons on the keyboard so they changed the whole topcase including the keyboard and battery. Now 2 weeks later i got it back and after + - 2 hours it did it again...

It also has nothing to do with the program you're using, even going trough your Facebook gives a 'pop' sound

Hope they figure this out, i'm feeling pretty angry because of the money i've spend on it.

I have the same issue with my MBP 2016, 15inch, radeon 460, 4-5 clacks when heating up or cooling down (sometimes when the mac is powered off too), then nothing.

I brought to the genius bar 3 times. First time they replaced the fan: noise persisted. Second time they replaced the top case (speakers, fans, and trackpad of course included): noise persisted. Brought in third time they were convinced it was the hinges, but apparently now they say the 'engineering team' think it's a wrongful impulse by the trackpad, and they are working to find a solution. In the meanwhile there is apparently no solution.

I am pushing for a replacement but it seems they don't want to replace it. Which is a shame for a 3k mac covered by apple care. I'd expect them to try everything, including replacement, to let me have a flawless machine, but it seems apple is not anymore what it once was.

(I am still quite convinced it's the hinges, which means it may also happen that they could fix whatever they think it's wrong with the trackpad and the noise could persist. Which would be a colossal fail.)

Having the same issue on 13" no touchbar. Have just sent into Genius Bar for repair and been advised screen replacement as fix. Will see if that helps and keep this thread updated.

-Clac on screen open

-Pop when heating and cooling (hinge area)

-tight hinge

UPDATE - I have an update on this issue:

Apple is aware of these problems. The sounds that you hear most likely have to do with the transistors on the motherboard. However, here at this time there is no solution yet but they are searching for one.

Interesting, because I hadn't this problem few hours ago, and now I got a little pop coming out of my speakers, it's promising for future ... My keyboard issue is still there, unfortunately I'm very busy to bring them to Genius bar to look over so...

3K+ for this computer, I'm disappointed, I also heavily considered to migrating away of apple products if they not able to fix these kind of issues quickly.

Also experiencing the same issue.

One of my keyboard keys was broken so Apple replaced my MacBook's top case, and now there is a sporadic popping sound, as if someone is popping an empty plastic bottle.

This seems like a hardware defect, possibly relating to the top case component of the computer.

It sounds like several issues are causing noises on these machines.

I have a 15" MBP touch bar, 2.9GHz, i7, 460 Radeon, 1TB. This is a replacement that I received 2/8/17 after the first, pre-ordered unit suffered a battery failure one month in.

I don't have any strange noises from anywhere except the speakers. It is very random and only while playing music either through iTunes or Safari. The noise is similar to a knock and varies in volume. Often it will come out of the left speaker first and then immediately out of the right speaker. I haven't been able to find any sequence or setting that makes the noise happen, it's seems totally random. It may occur 5 times in a minute or not once in 5 minutes.

I tried recording music from the web browser with an app and using that to demonstrate the issue but the noise didn't come through the recording, only when it was played through Safari. I haven't heard the knock when sound is directed through other speakers such as AirPlay to Apple TV.

I talked to Apple support and they had me reset the PRAM, the SMC, and run a self diagnosis on the hardware. No problems were detected and the noise is still present. I took it to the local authorized Apple reseller who ran another test while connected to Apple through the internet. Again, no problems were detected.

The issue seems to be in software in my case. A hardware problem would occur regardless of which application was directing sound through the speakers.

Since this is in the category of an annoyance, I'm reluctant to send the machine off to Apple for repair and have to be without the machine for X number of days. I'm not convinced the problem would be fixed after the "repair". Still, it's a lot of money for a machine that is less than perfect.

Hi perryfromMV,

My machine already fixed twice and waiting for replacement, with exact same issue. Did you tried test tones (for example 30 seconds of 250Hz or 400Hz). This was the best demo tool for the Genius that ordered for me a replacement.

I started to get it with 10.12.3 and the new audio drivers.

Thanks, Yoram

After three weeks Apple finally gave me a resolve. They replaced it with a new one. Which, unfortunately have the same click/pop issue but with a different trigger than my previous one.

First MBP 2016 is 15" 455/16/512/2.7

The replacement is 15" 460/16/1TB/2.9 (I paid for the upgrade)

Both Space Gray.

These two videos are for the first one:

First video (Noise 1) HEARD AT 0:41

https://youtu.be/xfKMk1fJh_w

Second Video (Noise 2) HEARD AT AT 0:40 AND 0:50

https://youtu.be/mYCsNYgbT6g

I'm pretty sure the noises in these 2 vids are coming from the hinge. It's relatively easy to replicate it:

1) close the lid, let the laptop cool

2) open, and find a program that can heat up the computer, enough till it ramps up the fan.

3) leave it

4) two things can happen: it'll either make the pop you hear in the first video, if it doesn't, move the display, just flick it and it should pop.

I cant say this for certain, but if you don't hear the pop, then your hinge is probably alright.

Now my replacement. It doesn't have the hinge problem, I tried the aforementioned method and the ones mentioned in this forum, pressing on the bottom display, etc, This one doesn't have the hinge problem period.

The trigger for this one is different:

1) open the lid

2) find a program that can heat up the computer, enough till it ramps up the fan (I played world of warcraft).

3) shut down the computer immediately; it'll kill the fan.

4) As it cools, it'll click and pop like fireworks.

5) Refund.

I'm done with this 1st gen mbp, no more 1st gen Apple anything for me. From now on iphone "S"

Don't get me wrong, it's a phenomenal laptop, I love every aspect of it before the noises start to get ingrained into my brain. These click/pop noise drove me mad to the point whenever I use the laptop, all I can think about is, when are you going to pop?

Dealing with the same issue since I got my machine in November when I reported it. First the authorized center said they couldn't replicate it, then they sent it back replaced the top and bottom case (which took me literally 15 seconds to hear it again), and now they want it back again, and won't even entertain a replacement (which I'm sure will have the same issue) until after yet another trip to apple. I also asked about a refund and they said that since I didn't return it within the 14 day window despite the issue (and I even reported within 5 days of owning it), although I'm fairly confident if I escalate this up the chain I could get it. I'm beyond over this at this point and the customer service, or at least the policies, are extermely subpar when dealing with issues like this. I'm sending it back in one more time, which I'm sure won't result in a repair, and see what happens...

brandonlee, you are absolutely spot on! I can replicate the same noise by reaching around and pressing the screen when it's open 90 degrees +. I think it's heat expansion/contraction around the black hinge area as the case warms up.

Very well spotted, let's hope there's a fix.

Unfortunately also my macbook pro bar touch radeon 460 purchased in November 2016 present the Pop sound problem. You can hear the pop sound either when the monitor is just open and the computer is off for several hours and after a few minutes on startup when the CPU is under stress.

I did this video https://youtu.be/7ACHWXMj9wAdescribing the steps to replicate the problem:

- The computer must be off for several hours, so it will be cooled down.

- At the opening of the monitor you hear a pop sound. It may be noted that the monitor is opened several times but the noise no longer appears.

- Next, I launch some processes to put the cpu under stress.

- After a couple of minutes the pop sound will feel. In the video you can hear from https://youtu.be/7ACHWXMj9wA?t=1m40s

- Sometimes Pop's noise can also be heard by moving the monitor.

- Pop sound happens randomly even during use.

I have the same problem with my 15" MBP 2016, and I am almost certain that it is the back case that is expanding under the heat of the laptop and something inside the case is making the popping sound as it separates. If you look at the back case, you can see that the side closest to the hinge is held on with only two screws at the corners. If you use your fingernails in the back vent, you can see that the back cover flexes pretty easily. The popping sound seems to be more frequent when I am watching videos or doing something else that heats up the computer.

Honestly, I think the problem would be solved if Apple added a couple more screws to the hinge side of the back case cover.

This sound I am pretty sure is made by the CPU fan. I have a 2015 pro and it does the same sound, I opened it, and it was coming from the fan. I took the top of the fan (the cover) out, I pull the spiral or whatever is called, the thing that spins and move the air up and the sound went away.