Popping Sound, MBP 2016

The popping coming from my mbp has also been getting more frequent, lately it has also popped several times when closed, it popped in my bag whilst stored away, which is a little odd. I have noticed it definitely can be graphics influenced, increasing occurrence with graphics load.

I can easily reproduce the popping sound by heating the CPUs. I’m using the command tool called „yes“ as described by OSXDaily to stress the CPUs.

http://osxdaily.com/2012/10/02/stress-test-mac-cpu/

After 20 - 90 seconds I can hear the popping/cracking sound, which might be located near the touch bar. Sometimes I can also hear that sound when I open the lid or when I press from above or back on the lid.

I consider myself an advanced Mac user. ( 46 yr old, recovering geek) I used to work in Tech Services for a mac developer. If I take my gear to the apple store, you know I've already done extensive testing. In most cases, I know more than the folks at the Genius bar. (but I'm not perfect... I don't know it all... but I've done surgery on many macs and i devices over the years. I miss the days when Apple would jump on a call with me and together we try and troubleshoot the problem. Then they would put our solution into the database for others to benefit from.

Ok, So... onto the popping noise...

I have this problem now as well. (Jan 2016 Macbook Pro 16/2TB Touch Bar W/ Apple Care)

This puppy cost over $4000 with Apple Care, maxed out! A tough nut to swallow, but I'm a big fan, what can I say.

The cracking / Popping sound seems intermittent. After the computer has been sleeping and cooled, upon opening with in 5 minutes, I hear the first pop, and then a few minutes later, a second pop. It seems to be getting louder. I'll try to put my ear to the keyboard next time and try and pinpoint the location. Not easy...

If someone from Apple is monitoring this thread, please contact me directly and I can help you troubleshoot this. I probably won't take mine in to the genius bar until Apple has it as a recognized issue and can provide a solution. The store is loud, the problem is intermittent, and what can they do there? Not much I suspect. Unless I learn differently.

A replacement computer is a good solution, if... they have updated parts since the first batch. Or if Apple has figured it out.

It seems to make the noise 1 or 2 times with in 5 to 10 minutes of using the computer.

Ethan-

Hey guys

I'm experiencing the same issue. The laptop worked fine for a month but now it's starting popping every single day, a big disappointment since I've paid $3000.

I'm currently in China and after reaching out to the Apple support team they said I can either get it fixed here or when I go back to Seattle.

I pushed a little and the man went ask their manager, whom will call me within a day.

I'll keep you guys posted.

btw, it seems like some oil issue in the hinge, some guy on the Chinese forums dipped oil in the hinge and fixed the problem.

If they won't replace my laptop, I might try that trick.

Disappointed, my last one worked just fine, and it's the cheapest Macbook Pro.

Same here. I also hear, that something is loose inside, just like you described.

Plus the popping for awhile... I'm taking it back again for repair.

Can't believe it, a $3500 MBP and its falling apart after 5 months...

A little update

The Apple Manager called me and said that Apple has told them specifically NOT TO REPLACE any laptop that's having this problem.

The only solution is to bring it to an Apple store and fix it.

Okay.

So I dropped my MBP off AGAIN yesterday for this popping problem, third time's the charm and all that........

Just had a call saying it's all finished, no fault found. Even though it's a repeat problem, even though the support engineers said they wanted to try something else. As soon as I pick it up, I will be refusing it and asking for a refund. Under the EU consumer rights act, as they have repeatedly failed to repair this item I am entitled to a refund. I am not willing to accept a design failure in such an expensive machine. Maybe the 2017 version will be better, I will wait and see.

What a huge disappointment from a company that rarely ever disappoints me.

I brought my MBP into the authorised reseller that Apple had made me an appointment with.

I recorded two videos of the 'pop's that can be heard when opening the screen after it has been closed for a while. I ran a stress test on the machine and indeed the sound started but was difficult to record as I was never sure when it was going to happen.

The assistant was very pleasant and after listening to the video of the sound she said it 'definitely should not be making that noise' and that it would need to go for repair.

I asked if anyone else had reported the issue and she said no. She asked me to email the videos which I did.

I purchased this laptop with the intention that it would last me 4+ years (the only reason I would spend that huge amount of money). The damage that might be occurring with these noises makes me think it won't last anywhere near that. I'll keep bringing it back for service again and again if it's not fixed, but if they can't fix it, I'll be getting refund under EU law as another poster has mentioned.

I am still in shock

The manager called and said the company told them to DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS????? what does this mean???

What he said was "The company told us multiple times to not replace the laptop having this issue??

???

If they fail to repair the unit after several attempts (I think the number is 3 with Apple), they're obligated to give you a replacement or a refund.

Does anybody know if they actually need to attempt 3 repairs on the unit, or is taking it into them 3 separate times without resolve enough to warrant a replacement or refund?

Mine is currently in with Apple for the fourth time. The first 3 times, they couldn't replicate the noise and I was sent home with my tail between my legs. This time (I think because the customer relations rep I've been talking to feels bad at this point) they are replacing the top case, battery, and heat sinks.

This sounds about right.

I would say, though I'm not 100%, if you've got 3 visits against that serial number then that would count.

I'm

Glad they're finally doing something but I wouldn't hold out much hope.

I've had a fan replacement, a top case replacement and still the problem persists.

I personally believe there is a tolerance issue with the fit of the hinge/chassis that doesn't have enough room for expansion when the thing warms up. I can't imagine Apple making a case production level change any time soon can you? Unless the case gets enough attention of course.

A Kaby Lake MacBook Pro is supposed to make an appearance in June. Since Engineering is already aware of this issue, i'm fairly hopeful they'll make the necessary changes before then. I refuse to believe apple has gone so far south as to not address an issue as serious as this. I guess we'll see..

For those of us not in the EU, the relevant United States legislation is The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act which is codified by US Code, Title 15, Chapter 50, §2304: "Federal minimum standards for warranties." It describes the responsibilities of the warrantor to the consumer.

Please note that this information does not constitute legal adivce nor does it create any attorney-client relationship between the reader and the author of this reply.

The Apple Developer's Conference is on the first week of June, which is supposedly when they might announce whatever update to the MacBook Pro is coming, chances are they will.

However, I would be very surprised if you saw a new MacBook Pro ready for sale before October. It's still not far away of course but yes, at this point if you can return your MacBook Pro and want to wait another five months or so I would. I will be returning mine as it is within the two week window.

I didn't experience any popping noises with the two 2016 MBPs with Radeon 460 I ordered, however, my problem was with horizontal line glitches appearing when applying slight pressure on the bottom plastic bezel of the display where it says "MacBook Pro". I discovered this when dusting the display gently with a microfiber cloth. Two different machines did this and I was told by Apple Care people that it should not be happening, so that's it for me; I have no more confidence in it and will be waiting for the 2017.

FWIW: I ran F1 2016 on the benchmark loop it has to run the computer hot - a couple times for several hours each session - and never heard a popping noise. Maybe it would have shown up later on, who knows. Either way, for $3,300 dollars, they can do a lot better than this disappointing experience.

Looking at this guide, can anyone make a guess at which part is making the sound? Or, where on the keyboard the sound is coming from?

for the purpose of discussion, lets lable the discussion as follows:

Touchbar side, TrackPad Side, Caps Lock Side and Return key side.

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Touch+Bar+Teardown/73395