Popping Sound, MBP 2016

I think there are people in two different camps on this same thread:

1. There is a spot inside the display assembly where there is medal on medal and it makes a popping sound when heat increases.

2. There is a popping sound coming from the speakers.

I was in the first camp. But my 2016 has since been replaced with a 2018

I think I am in both camps. How did you get your computer replaced? Right now, mine is at an authorized dealer being troubleshooted and dispatched. Sounds like it is in the process of being replaced. 🙂 They said next Thursday.

I‘m in the same boat (MBP 2016 15“ Touch Bar). Several loud popping sounds coming from the case everytime the macbook has a tiny bit of load to do. This is so incredibly annoying and i‘m really disappointed with Apple ignoring this widely known problem. I‘ve chatted with the Apple support and they claimed they never heard of this problem (and even then it’s just a “cosmetic“ flaw they argued). My model was 2 weeks beyond the 12 month warranty so they refused to repair mine. One could argue why i haven’t contacted the support earlier but this problem developed over time and wasn’t as permanent in the beginning as it is now. Even though it may just be a „cosmetic“ failure it‘s such a disappointment having spent 3k on a top-of-the-line macbook that’s popping like a squeezed plastic bottle. And since i’m a student i’m not able to afford nor willing to arrange an out-of-warrranty repair (which apparently don’t even solve the problem for sure). Sorry Apple but i lost any trust in your products and service after being a fan for years.

If anybody will ever come up with a fix or Apple will finally accept this as what it is, a manufacturing error, and allow backdated repairs for this line, please let me know.

Popping Sound, Macbook Pro 2016 Touch Bar MBP - YouTube

Guys, if you are experiencing this sound, it is 100% the display. The 2016 Macbook Pro's display suffered a worldwide design flaw. If you are out of warranty, you should be able to get a 2017/18 display through Consumer Law coverage.

If you are just putting up with it, don't.

thanks a lot for your reply. Unfortunately it‘s not that easy with consumer law. I‘ve contacted the retailer and the answer was that i would have to make the proof that the flaw existed already at the date of purchase (at least here in germany). A link to this discussion wasn’t enough. So i‘m wondering how i should do that without Apple officially confirming that it was a design flaw.

Mattrogers: You're precisely right, I confirm I had both issues. And got my 2017 replaced with a 2018.

For my MBP 2017 Touch 13” 3.5Ghz 16GB 1TB I had issue number 2 at first i.e. popping sound coming from the speakers. Apple Singapore changed the top case at first instance. Issue remained. They then changed the display, which didn't get the issue resolved either. The next step for them was to change the logic board and speakers. I believe the final step would have solved the issue as for this MBP 2017 the issue I had was a clicking sound (something like static, and similar to when you're plugging headphones into a jack and you hear the speaker crackling, but a single click not a series of static sounds). Because it was costing a lot to change all the parts and because they didn't have this laptop in stock anymore, the store gave me the 2018 (issues below)

I now have the MBP 2018 Touch 13" 16GB 1 TB I'm happy to report that there are no sounds coming from the speakers. However, I'm now encountering the display popping sound. There are several threads on this so I won't go into too much detail, but as a summary it sounds like how Michael DN describes it i.e. if you slowly squeeze a plastic bottle until it crinkles. I'm on the fence about going for a one-for-one swap because I'm afraid I'll encounter issue number 2 again.

I think your issue is coming from the speakers. I've read almost the threads on this and the users that have managed to stop this sound from occurring have had their logic boards and speakers replaced.

Yeaps, I changed my top case and display and it didn't work either - cuz the issue with my MBP 2016 was coming from the speakers/logic board. I got mine swapped for a MBP 2018 which has the different issue - it's not coming from the display.

Hi there, I have this same issue. I'm running an 2018 MBP 15 (touchbar, Mojave 10.14). I have noticed this so far while browsing webpages with videos playing on the webpage in Firefox 62.0.3. If a video is playing on the webpage (Facebook, CNN, etc.), and if I scrolling up and down the page, then the popping/clicking sound will appear. It's very noticeable. I recorded a video of this here: Static noise - YouTube

I've seen this issue raised in various forums but haven't seen any conclusive reason for this popping sound. Any new updates on this issue?

I wrote earlier in this thread, just about a 1 year ago that Apple finally fixed my 15 inch, 2016 MBP popping sound. They changed the display assembly and the screen hinge. The laptop has been totally quiet.... until now! Today 1 year later the popping sound is BACK even worse than before.

I am so disappointed with the quality of this computer! The popping noise will certainly come back for the majority who bought this laptop, even after an extensive repair.

I have the EXACT same issue. I called AppleCare and went through every software diagnostic under the sun. I brought it in and couldn't re-create the popping on command. It's now getting louder. What was/is/has been your solution? My AppleCare expires at the end of the month so I'll try once more to bring my MacBook in to be evaluated.

@rainer114 I'd get it looked at immediately - you may likely need a logic board replacement. This is a known hardware issue (software updates haven't worked) that affects a lot of people. But due to the variance in sound intensity, many people don't notice or are not aware of it (if it's softer on their machine).

I had this issue. They had to change the Top Case and the Logic Board twice - before I lucked out on a logic board that doesn't have this issue. I'm not a computer expert but it could be an inherent design flaw due to either the construction of the MacBook Pro or the choice of hardware within the logic board which is conflicting with each other. Either way, you may have to visit your nearest shop a couple of times before the issue is resolved. Don't worry too much if you're still covered by warranty, the Apple geniuses are very helpful.

I had this issue and had the display replaced out of warranty (covered by consumer law). For the last six months the popping sound was gone, but it's now starting to appear on the replacement display as well.

This seems to be an inherent design flaw in the computer. At this point I don't know whether to learn to live with it or take it back to Apple - it seems likely that having another display replacement will only be a temporary fix until it re-emerges down the line.

For a computer that cost close to £2000 this is unacceptable - I wish I had just kept my 2013 MBP instead of upgrading at this point.

I have the same problem , it first started when I tried for the 3rd time (or so) iMovie . It seems to me that the overheating does this to the macbook. I did a little bit of research and found out that the models 2016 MBP are faulty from factory. The glue between the screen and the back case is making this noise after overheating or cooling down . In my opinion Apple did not do properly the tests before launching this early versions of MBP touchbar. And if they did ... they knew what to expect and thats why no1 got any response with a plausible solution for this from Apple themselves.

No replacement / fix program for this ???

ps: 2000+$ laptop can be used as a metronom with this popping sound

I have had this problem repeatedly since my first machine in October 2016. They replaced the screen, then it came back, then they replaced the logic board, SSD, and external casing... and surprise, it came back again, with the addition of a weird popping noise coming from the L speaker. At that point they didn't know what to do and swapped my computer out for a new replacement. Subsequent machines had a blown L speaker with crackly / static sound distortion despite my never turning the volume past say 70%, and also developed the original popping noise coming from the display. Long story short, I have had my $3,500 laptop replaced THREE times and it's back being serviced AGAIN now. This is a COMMON PROBLEM... as there are over 2,800+ other people who have clicked "I have this problem too" on this support page thread.

There should be a MASSIVE recall of these laptops in which they either fix the display assembly, hinge, and speakers, or just release an updated version of the machine with a different design that addresses the issue and swap them out for people a la VW diesel emissions recall.

I love Apple but this process is driving me crazy and is consuming a lot of my time, especially considering the nosebleed prices I fork over for their products. Having gone without my laptop for collective weeks during the multitude of repairs, I now just buy a new laptop to use as a "loaner" and return it once I receive my machine back from repairs. Yes, this is a crazy and absurd process to have to go through. I haven't seen any formal acknowledgement / recall program from Apple regarding the issue. If anyone reading this is still having the problem and are out of warranty, I would take it to a Genius Bar and show them this thread that describes the problem we're having and shows that over 2,800 other customers are having the same problem. They should be willing to replace the display again for you and if not, I would just politely ask to discuss the matter with the store manager. Explain everything to the manager - the recurrent nature of the issue, the time and productivity you've lost trying to address it, and the fact that it is a COMMON problem for which their company has yet to offer a definitive solution. Here's to hoping they formally acknowledge the issue and decide to make it right for their customers. I should have a trophy for the number of hours (read: DAYS) I've spent at the Genius Bar dealing with this problem.