Popping Sound, MBP 2016

Hi Craig and the rest of you guys and gals... here's an update on my replacement machine (2017 14,3 model)... On Saturday I noticed that the audio was "weighted" to the left so I picked it up and had a listen to each side. Lo and behold the RHS mid/bass speaker had stopped working. This was prior to the latest update. After the latest update (10.13.2) it was still not working so I am 99% certain that this is yet another hardware fault on these laptops.

A couple of days ago I heard a single loud pop but assumed it was a glitch from a web video I was watching at the time - I think that this is when the speaker failed.

I called Core today and spoke to the lady that helped me the last time and asked her how many of these things they get back and it appears that loads of these boomerangs are coming back.

I have requested a refund but obviously I have to go through the whole assessment procedure first but I am truly done with Apple at this point. The fact that some people are on their 3rd & 4th replacement is telling enough. They just keep jacking up the prices, producing more and more inferior products and don’t acknowledge any of these issues, I am over it.

What's also worrying about this whole thing is that it's not just 1or 2 faults, I've counted about 10/11 different issues in this thread alone and what makes this even more concerning is that these boomerangs develop more faults as the days go by - this is absolutely f****** insane! I cannot and do not trust that this machine will last me as long as my 2009 MBP did which is being used daily by it’s new owner.

Apple has f***** up big time. I don't want to get into a rant because honestly it's just not worth it at this point. It's not just with these new MBP's either. As I stated earlier in this thread my iPhone 7 failed not long after purchase as well (hardware related) and my watch has bricked up 5 times now and is a gimmick - it's not worth what they being sold for IMO. Apart from these hardware issues they have made a number of software flops recently releasing sloppy software one release after the other, never mind that root security flop that happened and this whole slowing phones down because of the "battery" issue.

I am done. I have had a good think about this and I am well and truly out. I've been communicating with friends that I have made during my travels and friends that have moved all over the world and they feel the same way. Their latest tech purchases have not been Apple because they are slowly leaving the Apple ecosystem (reminds me of all these scientologists that are speaking out and leaving the cult) - they have all noticed a steady decline over the past couple of years but in the last few months Apple has hit the basement, hard!

I am tired of defending Apple, it really is not worth it nowadays. Google/Android offer very similar conveniences EXCEPT you are not locked into any hardware (at this point and hopefully not in the future either). Luckily, most of the software I own is cross-platform and whilst we on the subject of being locked into stuff - if anyone is currently locked into the Adobe subscription trap give Affinity a try, it really is awesome software with HUGE potential and you own it! Adobe can f*** off as well.

So, in closing, I would just like to caution anyone considering these new MBP's and other Apple products to thoroughly weigh up your options because Apple products no longer "just work", that used to be the case, not anymore.

Thank you Apple for saving me from Windows Vista, thank you for all the informative keynotes, innovations and Safari but alas, time has come for us to part. There are many many things that I will miss, perhaps we will make up in the future but for now you too can f*** right off.

- Ex Apple Fanboy (2007-2018)

I am experiencing this same issue with my 15". Just took it into the Genius Bar earlier this week and it is currently out at one of their repair centers being diagnosed. I'm not sure how they diagnose something that just happens on a whim so i am just waiting for them to ship it back saying "hey! everything looks great, buy applecare!"

Definitely frustrating though, mine is much more aggressive than the popping you describe. I will be intently working/reading and it will really catch me off-guard sometimes because it is so loud. It does seem to come from the display panel. I've heard it while opening the lid, while it was open and off, while it was open and on. Never heard it closed so, yes, i am agreeing with the others whom pointed out possible hinge/display issues. My MBP is in stellar condition so i didnt have any hassle with the genius bar rep and luckily (unluckily?) he had dealt with a nearly identical issue with another customer not so long ago.

From my experience (having had this issue for a while, and finally having it fixed), it turned out that it was related to rapid acceleration in temperature due to the heat dissipated from the processor / vents.

At first, the issue seemed as random as you described it, but I was eventually able to replicate the issue on command by subjecting the laptop to graphic intensive programs from a relatively low powered state (preferably asleep). The sudden change in temperature, in my opinion, leads to some expansion in or around the screen or hinge mechanism, which after a certain level of stress, lead to a minor ‘shift’ in the structure thereby causing the ‘popping’ sound.

I could recreate this effect following the steps mentioned above to be able to convince the ‘geniuses’ that the issue actually existed.

This was followed by two attempts at changing the mother board and finally switching the entire top case including the screen (and thereby the hinge mechanism) which finally solved the issue.

Those that are experiencing this issue and want a guaranteed fix...

Apple is now aware of this and has a standard process of repair for it.

Take it to an Apple store and describe the noise as mechanical and not generated by the speakers. They will ship out your mac for what they call "flat-rate service." The service depot will replace the entire top (display panel/hinge/metal backing) panel with brand new or like new parts. My mac no longer makes the noises and the turn-around was 4 days from drop-off at apple store to pickup at my front door.

Under warranty/AppleCare this service is free, outside of that it will run you $795.

Best,

Matt

Another South African user here. Took my 2016 MacBook Pro in around April last year for the popping sounds.

They replaced the top display assembly upon my insistence. Issue went away since then.

Unfortunately about a week ago noticed a very light popping sound. Exactly the same as last time just not as audible yet coming from the MacBook. I’m going to monitor but if it gets worse. I’m taking it back before my one year warranty expires.

I have a 2017 15" MacBook Pro with Touch Bar and I'm also having these random popping noises, usually early in the day when I first get to work. It happens maybe 3-5 times total. Seems to be related to my computer going from cool to warm once it's working.

I also have the same popping sound problem on my 2016 ,15 inch mbp tb. Here in indonesia the post selling service is horrible, all apple service providers say they need 5 days to diagnostic it and then between 2 weeks to 1 month for giving it back. More than one month with out the laptop for this. My older MBP was an early 2011 plagued with gpu problems, also problems with the battery of my iphone 6s. Its incredible how apple products don't offer much difference now as before.

Very disappointing.

Replaced in Barcelona Apple Store in one week the entire top case including the screen and problem solved.

I had to insist to store manager because they said it was a normal behavior due tu aluminium case.

Hey Jono

Any chance you still have the contact at Core. I’m fighting tooth and nail with the repair centre.

I’m on my second machine. Was replaced last year for touch bar issues. The replacement machine then developed popping sounds. They replaced my top case. Went away for just over 5 months. Now it’s back at Repair Centre. Same issue and they refusing to replace it. Telling me crap about 6 month CPA period.

MBPtb 2017 15"

The noise has gotten worse and it's now to the point where sometimes people around me will look my way wondering what that sound was, it happens at my desk at work (cubicle) and coffee shops/airports/etc.

I've still got around 5 months of AppleCare but I cant afford to send it off right now as I'm on my last semester of engineering college.

I waited to send the late 2016 MBP in to see if more problems cropped up besides the popping noise. I started having problems with two of the keys on the keyboard (despite being gentle while typing, IMO) and I sent it in for repair. I received the machine back on October 27, 2017. The keyboard was repaired and the popping was gone completely. The popping noises I experienced were (almost completely) heard through the speakers. I may have had some popping noise coming from the hardware, it was hard to tell the difference.

The repair summary listed the parts replaced:

Logic board, 2.9GHZ Quad core Intel Core i7 process

Display Assembly Space Gray

Top Case with Battery ANSI Space Gray

Mylar BMU eDP TCON

The Machine continues to work perfectly since the repair, (cross fingers!).

My 2016 MBP has been to the shop 4 times already because of botched repairs. It's been a month since the last repair, and while the loud popping noise is gone, the top case is currently constantly making "clicking" noise, especially during heavy load. Not as loud as the previous one, but definitely audible. I'll wait and see if it gets any louder, but it'll get sent again before my 90 days repair warranty period.

Same issue here. 2016 15" MacBook Pro with the 460 graphics. Popping sound. It happens:

70% of the time I open the laptop for the first time that day

~30% of the time I open and close it

Can push on the "MacBook Pro" and get it to pop, but not as loud

Can push the top of the laptop on the opposite side of the "MacBook Pro" logo and get it to pop (but not as loud)
when it is open at 90º (This is 100% reproducible if I first push on the bottom of the hinge up parallel to the screen).

It will randomly pop just sitting on my desk and I am not working on it. Brought it to apple, he said he can replace the screen for about $575 ( I am in the US) with no guarantee that will resolve the issue. Said no thanks.

Does this issue lead to premature failure or other hardware issues? The popping doesn't bother me that much, other than my concern for the $3600 laptop. My 2006 white MacBook still works fine.

LOOK at my video, Popping like empty coke bootle, when open, when works on Mac, when touch the lid, when close the LID. Pretty annoying for 3500USD machine!

MacBook Pro 15 2016 screen open pop sound, popping and creaking noise - YouTube

I'm having the worst experience EVER with a product in my life.

I bought a Macbook Pro less then 6 months ago I and having tons of issues with popping and cracking souns. Took to Apple there times for repair whitin 16 days and the can't solve the problem and refuses to give me a new unit.

You can check my case in real details here;

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8324894?answerId=33180347022#33180347022&ac_cid=op123456#33180347

What can I do make Apple give me a new unit?

Regards