Popping Sound, MBP 2016

I'm starting to think there are 2 sources of the sound, as some are saying it can be replicated by pushing the back of the screen, some not. I'm in the latter category, mine is definitely coming from the speakers or under the keyboard. Last night it was popping every couple of minutes when I had excel and word running, it's the most it's ever popped and there wasn't too much load.

Hello, I was wondering if anyone knows how widespread this issue is? I purchased a MBP exactly like the original poster has and returned mine because it had a problem where the screen would glitch when applying pressure to the bottom of the display, such as when cleaning with a microfiber cloth. I'd like to take the chance and purchase another but I'm worried about these other issues I'm hearing about, such as the popping noise and keyboard issues, which perhaps would show themselves down the line. Any advice?

I have been having the exact same issue. I have a mbp 15in 256gb solid state. model # MLH32LL/A

NOTE: I use the abbreviation of MacBook pro as MBP

I have noticed that it happens one of two ways.

1. I will be using the MBP at a very high-stress level IE: using premiere pro running a 4K video and using final cut pro in tandem.

2. I will be using the MBP stationary but charging and I will still encounter the popping sound.

Another note is that when the popping sound occurs, the trackpad area and around it (where the battery is) will get very hot without the cooling fans turning on unless I am using the computer as described in issue number one listed above.

troubleshooting I have done includes, restarting the MBP, re-installing OS Siera, doing a SMC RESET, and removing all information from the system and reinstalling everything. I have yet to find a solution.

I have contacted apple support and they were of no help. They did suggest going into an apple store to see a technician. I will be going there tomorrow, and I will update this if need be.

anything helps!!!

Ross

Hi guys,

Same thing here. I've posted a video up here:

https://youtu.be/HnoGhpi3ZkA

I have spoken to the Genius guys about it. I was pretty annoyed with the popping noises - I paid $AU4,300 for this machine and I expect it to be top-notch and high-end.

They offered for me to exchange the display. Still have to make an appointment with them as I wouldn't have the machine for 4-5 days whilst the repair is in progress.

Hey @cloudarch,
If you'll choose to repair the screen please update if it solve the problem.
In my opinion it'll fix the problem for the short time, i think it's a problem in the mechanism that connect the screen to the main unit.

Sorry for the multiple posts,

I've taken two of them into the Genius Bar and got really no help. Because I couldn't replicate the issue in store, there was really nothing the man who helped me could do beside escalate the issue to engineering. I've gotten no response.

If your computer is still under warranty, I would demand that Apple replace it if successive fixes don't resolve the problem which they're obligated to do by law and by the conditions of the warranty.

Update.

I was contacted by an Apple engineer and I explained the problem as much as I could.

He saw the video I recorded (https://vimeo.com/209637358) and passed it to the support team. Also, they'll take my MacBook back for further analysis. I hope to receive a new one asap!

So, basically, Apple is aware of the issue and they're actively investigating it.

Hi everyone,

In my case (tbMBP 15") this issue seems to be getting worse. At first I've only heard that popping sound occasionally, but lately it's really every few minutes. And it's also not limited to one area, although it mostly seems to stem from the screen hinge. But I've also heard pops coming from under the keyboard or rather the bottom of the MacBook.

It is getting quite annoying and I'm afraid that every tbMBP is affected.

Mine has never had the screen issue, it's always been from the body, i think it's coming from the speakers like some kind of electrical discharge, although it doesn't go away when headphones are in. I am getting mine checked out tomorrow, i will post the results.

Some of these sounds might be coming from the CPU Fans, which is why it appears under CPU stress (heat) which is when they hit their highest RPM. My 2015 had the same issue. I traced the sound down to the fan, changed it and its fine. I was out of warranty so apple had nothing to do with my fix. If you google "popping sound MacBook Pro 2015" you will see that that year model (mine) have the same issue, it didn't come as soon as the new ones tho.

Well, their Fans might have a design flaw, considering the possibility that the fans are the source of the sound. I also used to think that the song bad was the speakers, in my case was coming from the right side de of the keyboard because that's we're the fan is located in the 13" model. Yours guys is in the "center" cause there are two fans

There is no way this is a fan issue. Not saying that your issue is not related to your fan but the majority of people on this thread seem to believe it is not the fan and I, too, am one of those people. This popping sound is sporadic. If it was the fan then there would be more then one "Pop" every few minutes or hours. You'd hear a fan hitting something constantly.

I understand what you are saying, but I also thought there was no way the sound I had was the fan. Well I was wrong when I opened the laptop. My problem was the axis on the fan that was shifting, yes! That was the issue. I lubricated the bearing, pulled the axis up and it was solved for a couple of months. Eventually it came back again because once the bearing goes bad lubrication will not stop the axis from shifting again. (Faulty fan design must be the issue for you) of course we are talking about apple, they wouldn't get this wrong right?

It's just my two cents on the issue guys, it is very hard to identify the sound unless you open the laptop and replicate the scenario with the bottom opened like I I had to do, was until then that I was able to get The source of it. I will post a video on YouTube so you guys can see that it seems more speakers like I thought it was than the fan itself.

Hopefully the company finds the problem.

NOTE: I dont advice to open the laptop since you will lose your warranty. I was over the year so that's why I did it.

I have been having the exact same issue. I have a mbp 15in 256gb solid state. model # MLH32LL/A

NOTE: I use the abbreviation of MacBook pro as MBP

I have noticed that it happens one of two ways.

1. I will be using the MBP at a very high-stress level IE: using premiere pro running a 4K video and using final cut pro in tandem.

2. I will be using the MBP stationary but charging and I will still encounter the popping sound.

Another note is that when the popping sound occurs, the trackpad area and around it (where the battery is) will get very hot without the cooling fans turning on unless I am using the computer as described in issue number one listed above.

troubleshooting I have done includes, restarting the MBP, re-installing OS Siera, doing a SMC RESET, and removing all information from the system and reinstalling everything. I have yet to find a solution.

I have contacted apple support and they were of no help. They did suggest going into an apple store to see a technician. I will be going there tomorrow, and I will update this if need be.

anything helps!!!

Ross

UPDATE: MAY 3RD 2017

After visiting the genius bar at the apple store in rosedale center in roseville minnesota, the person there was able to replicate it in store after i ran my MBP at full capacity IE: final cut pro, premier pro, Lightroom, and logic at the same time. They could not determine the exact problem but they said it could be a multitude of issues, she said it is most likely the battery due to thermal expansion, or it could be the fan although they replaced the fan under warranty but the problem was still there, they set up a date to drop it off for another repair to replace the battery. as of this time apple still has not recognized the issue and probably will continue not too. if you have the problem and it is under warranty, get it fixed or replaced if you can.

I already posted above a few weeks ago. However, I wanted to give a small update.

A few days after I posted about these issues on this discussion board, I received a call from an AppleCare Senior Advisor in the US (to my surprise, since I currently live in Germany). I described the problem to him and uploaded a number of videos showing different occurrences of the issue. He said engineering was interested in the problem (hence the videos) and they were also interested in bringing my machine in to investigate the problem first-hand, providing me with a new machine with identical specs in the process. Of course, I happily agreed. So far I'm very satisfied and I can reassure you that Apple is aware of the issue.

He also said that AppleCare Germany would have to take care of the replacement and that they would contact me very soon. However, I haven't heard from then since and it has been over two weeks. I contacted the advisor after one week, but haven't received a reply. I just sent him another email, so let's see whether that helps. I'm quite disappointed that AppleCare suggested to replace the machine and now nothing happens. Is anyone experiencing a similar situation?