Popping Sound, MBP 2016

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.

My issue has persisted despite software updates, pressing the back of the screen in the centre below the logo did not create the sound, and it can't be replicated with the use of test tones on my mbp 15, like has been suggested, although subsequent pops after running the test tones seemed to be at a slightly lower pitch. AppleCare is at a loss, only suggesting the typical reseting of various things, which also did not have any effect on the popping. I was certain that the sounds came from the speakers, due to the sound and location, but today I had my headphones plugged in and the sound occurred just the same, which makes me reconsider. I really hope that Apple comes to a conclusion soon, I paid fortune for this thing and rely heavily upon it for my studies.

I get the same noise every time I open my laptop after it's been closer for more than probably 20 minutes. 15 inch late 2016 touch bar, 2.6 GHz I7, 16GB, Intel HD Graphics 530 1536 MB. Some are saying it's heat related, but really doubt it; it sounds like it's coming from the hinge. Pressing on the back of the hinge, like others have said, replicates the noise, even when it's open

However, I've also experience a completely separate popping noise from the speakers. I've had it happen maybe 3 or 4 times in the month or so I've had the computer. It's usually followed by a slight static/fuzz sound coming from the speakers. On once instance, the popping noise came in quick succession very loudly, unchanged by turning the volume down, and didn't stop until I shut the laptop off entirely. I would guess it's a software problem, but I really don't know.

Hi, also have a 15" MB Pro 2,9 with Radeon 460 and experience the random popping and a slight scratching noise coming from laptop after it is under thermal load. The frequency of the pops seem to increase the hotter the laptop gets. Already had it repaired once which fixed the stuck keys issue, but the noises remain.

I too am experiencing the popping noise issue. I went to the local Apple Store and the genius I spoke with had not heard of the issue. He even showed me when he queried their internal support app that this issue did not come up. I expected this from all the feedback on this thread already. However, that was not the point of my visit; I went there just to inform them. So I gave some very thorough feedback and demonstrated how pushing on the back of the screen near the hinge replicated the issue; All the while the genius was very attentive and took notes. From what I was able to see as he keyed in my feedback, the app had a pre-populated drop-down list with "Popping noise coming from computer" as an option. So it seems as though they are investigating this. I wouldn't expect anything to get fixed for a few months, but we should all still be covered under warranty within that time anyways. My popping noise happens once, at most twice, during the warm up phase as I've come to call it; after that it does not pop so I can live with it for now.