Popping Sound, MBP 2016

The Apple Store took my computer without issue. I would recommend first chatting with support and explaining everything in detail to them, let them schedule the service appointment. They can actually ship the computer back to you. They can even ship you a box to send the computer to them but I dont know if they do that for all countries.

Few days back I received my Macbook after a repair with a sheet saying that they 'replaced the display panel and now it passes all the hardware checks'

However, after using for somedays, I realized that popping sound is still there, though not as frequent like before. Yesterday, I went to Apple Genius store and asked them to look into the issue. They took a lot of information from me like : When does it usually occurs, how frequent, from where exactly the sound seems to be coming from and all. I wish they will be able to replicate and find out what exactly the problem is. I still don't understand how changing the display panel would fix popping sound that is coming right near the speakers: sometimes right side and sometimes left.

The popping sound it’s not an issue, it’s coming from the speakers but its only made by the “vacuum” created by the lid when it’s closed, because if you put some tape on the speakers or something that blocks all the little grills, and close the lid and open, it will not make the sound anymore

I dont think that's what is causing the popping sound, at least not for the majority of us. My popping sound could be replicated by opening the laptop to 90 degrees and pressing on the back of the screen, opposite of the MacBook Pro emblem. I could also get it to pop by pressing on the emblem itself.

@aleoba14, In my case however, even if you keep the Macbook on the table, open and untouched doing nothing but just running one or two programs, it will make that noise. No need of closing or opening the lid. Also, as you said, if opening and closing could have helped, I usually close the lid whenever I take break, and then I open it again and the problem never vanished.

While I understand that some people may not be having exactly the same symptoms. The great majority are having the problem where the laptop is cool....gets warm through using it and begins to pop. The sound tends to resignate to the left of the trackpad...but you can often make it click by pressing the space in the top case below the "MacBook Pro" Logo. or the logo itself. A Display/Lid Assembly is often the fix for this. Sometimes the top case needs to be replaced as well.

Sometimes sounds bounce around and are difficult to isolate.

I've read through this entire thread and that is the very common theme of the problem at hand.

Mine was always heard immediately after startup and came form the speakers. I no longer have my original 2016 model due to a job change but just bought one for myself last week, this one does not make the noise and I close the lid each time I'm finished using it.

Yeah. I think Apple should categorize first which kind of popping sound the machine is making. Because in my case, they assumed changing the display panel is the solution. But seems like this fix is for them who have the problem where pressing behind the lid could also trigger the problem and mine doesn't falls under that.

Mine is making the same sound and my MacBook Pro 2016 can’t play protected videos from the iTunes Store. I’ve been going back and forth with apple about it. Sadly, they haven’t given me any answers. I think it’s very clear. The software can’t see the display as a Apple display. So, the files won’t play. After reading these posts. I’m convinced it’s a hardware and a software issue. Basically, a design flaw in the 2016-2017 MacBook Pros. After downloading and playing a audiobook that is copyright protected and I’m unable to play copyright protected video. It’s hard for me to believe that it’s a problem on iTunes Store side. I can’t play any copyright protected movies on a external monitor either. So, I’m at a loss and Apple seems to be stumped. I’m waiting to hear what the Apple Engineers have to say tomorrow. Still, I’m very convinced that the software isn’t seeing the hardware properly and this snapping issue is part of the problem.

This is very interesting. Because right after I contacted Apple about the popping sound, I started to have problems with iTunes videos jerking at random times. Eventually, that same day, all video HD content refused to play (HDCP issues). I also could no longer play Netflix or Hulu through Safari as well. It didn't give a specific HDCP error, but it would refuse to play. YouTube content worked, however. I suspect HDCP is not used there.

So I ended up wiping and reloading the Mac to the latest MacOS (not the beta) only to discover the very same problem. The interesting thing though...Netflix and Hulu worked through Chrome. So give that a shot and let us know. If you download the SD version of the iTunes movies...it should work as a workaround as HDCP is not used in that case.

Apple currently has my laptop and have had it for a couple of days now. I went into the store and they wanted to send it away, as the issue I'm having requires investigation. I'm just glad that I am not relying on this laptop for work.

I'm not convinced of it either. Now that I installed the beta software of MacOS and it seems to be working at least for now. Now, I'm thinking that MacOS had a bug in 10.13.4 and 5. I've had this problem that long. I'm not sure if we can call this a software issue now or not.

I hope that you have better luck than I have had so far. I took the laptop to the nearest store (2 hours away) and they sent it off to the repair center. They said in the store that they may call me for further details if they are unable to repeat the problem.

I called back after 5 days and was told that the laptop was still in "repair" status. Never received a phone call or an email update until it was ready for pickup 7 days later. I pressed her to find out what was done and found out that nothing was done..."no problems found". I was so upset. I handed them one of the most easily reproduced problems. The popping sound was easy to reproduce after a cold boot. The inability to play HDCP content was 100% reproducible on a laptop completely reloaded from scratch. It is not something that should be difficult to reproduce...like incredibly easy. But the laptop was sent back unfixed after a week. After giving the girl an earful (no swearing, yelling or personal attacks), I simply called back and asked for a manager. I was livid.

I calmly explained the issues, in length, to the manager. I really just want the issues resolved and I have sent them videos and links to the very popping issues that I'm having. After researching options and getting back to me within an hour, as promised...he promised I was next in the queue and will hear something back by Monday at 5 at the latest. (this is Sat afternoon). I don't think I am "special" or asking for anything other than what I paid (plenty of money) for.

I know that Apple will ultimately fix it. But I don't think I should have to "fight" for it.

I just got the computer back from Apple and it still doesn't play the DRM movies and tv shows. At this point I'm at a loss to why this is happening. I'm going to wait for the Apple engineers to figure this out but, the computer will be sitting on the shelf until they figure out what to do. I don't know what to do. I'll just use my 2013 MacBook Pro for now. I wish I had another 2016 MacBook Pro to see if the issue happens on that one as well. I doubt it. The movies play just fine on my other computers. Just this 2016 that's been an issue. I don't think it's a hardware issue. There is something in the OS that is causing a problem with this computer or it's a combination of both. If it wasn't for the DRM. There wouldn't be an issue. Non-DRM files play just fine. This is frustrating and confusing at the same time.

I understand your pain. I went through a few different problems. But to make a very long story very short, they ended up replacing the top case, logic board and the display. After that was done, I STILL had the problem with playing DRM content. Apple ended up swapping the laptop completely out for a brand new 2017 model. I really have no idea how the problem could have still existed after replacing, everything....

I am happy to say that the Apple Store management went above and beyond to make sure that I was happy and satisfied with the outcome.

So far everything has been running okay. One kernel panic...I hope that is not a trend of something else!! Crossing fingers...

It's been two weeks. It's been repaired twice. The logic board replaced twice. The display assembly replaced. Apple should replace the computer if this latest wave of troubleshooting doesn't work. Is it possible that the 2016s have a design flaw that the software doesn't like the hardware enough to allow DRM to play? Yeah, it's possible. I really want to know all the facts before Apple replaces the computer. Thank God, I have apple care or I'd be spending so much money. Hindsight being 20/20. I think Apple should have stayed with a design that worked very well and just add the Thunderbolt 3 ports, replace the thunderbolt 2 ports. That way all the ports that we as pro customers use and the new ports are there as well. Makes sense to me. Hopefully, Apple and I can figure this stuff out. They need to know the facts because it's the only way Apple can make products better.