I have a 2021 MacBook Pro 14".
Recently, it began making random "ticking/clicking" noises during use. The ticks happened when touching the top of the case on either side of the trackpad, using either one's palm or fingers. The clicks weren't "loud", but loud enough to be heard in a relatively quiet room (no tv, radio, music, etc.) -- and my hearing isn't what it used to be.
Here's a Reddit thread on the subject:
Here's a link to the YouTube video another user made of the same problem:
(you'll need to turn the volume up to hear it)
The ticks weren't constant -- they were more like a "Geiger counter", coming sometimes as single ticks, then more rapid bursts, etc. They were "pitched" high enough so that they sounded almost "electrical" in nature, as distinguished from "mechanical" (such as from the fan).
So I made an appointment at the nearby Genius bar and took it over.
Well, it couldn't be heard amongst the ambient noise in the Apple Store, and the tech who looked at it couldn't reproduce it after taking it "in back".
But he did mention that it could possibly be coming from the haptic engine/trackpad, and offered to send it in for repair. I agreed and they sent it off Friday 6/24.
Got an email Monday (yesterday) morning that it had been received, and by yesterday afternoon it had been sent back for overnight delivery. Arrived back today 6.28 (Tuesday).
The Genius bar work authorization read:
"Labor charge" - 100
"Flat rate 2 Repair, MBP 14" - 628
... for a total of $728.
(but no charge to me, still under warranty)
Invoice says the trackpad was replaced.
What's noteworthy here is that the trackpad/haptic engine IS "replaceable". I was under the impression that with the earlier, "butterfly keyboard" MacBook Pros that it was not. But it looks like Apple has decided to go back to this component being replaceable in case of failure.
I've only used it for some very quick power-on and testing, the real test will come from hours of usage later on. But Apple service did right by me on this one.
From reading the Reddit thread I linked to above, one user said that the Apple Store guy mentioned that the "ticking" was a problem on at least one batch of production models. So it's possible that other users in this forum may hear it develop.
If it's a problem localized to a particular run of haptic trackpads, it might also affect users of MBP 16" models (assuming they use the same component). Just something to be aware of.
Perhaps my experience will prove useful to another forum reader on down the line...
Recently, it began making random "ticking/clicking" noises during use. The ticks happened when touching the top of the case on either side of the trackpad, using either one's palm or fingers. The clicks weren't "loud", but loud enough to be heard in a relatively quiet room (no tv, radio, music, etc.) -- and my hearing isn't what it used to be.
Here's a Reddit thread on the subject:
Here's a link to the YouTube video another user made of the same problem:
The ticks weren't constant -- they were more like a "Geiger counter", coming sometimes as single ticks, then more rapid bursts, etc. They were "pitched" high enough so that they sounded almost "electrical" in nature, as distinguished from "mechanical" (such as from the fan).
So I made an appointment at the nearby Genius bar and took it over.
Well, it couldn't be heard amongst the ambient noise in the Apple Store, and the tech who looked at it couldn't reproduce it after taking it "in back".
But he did mention that it could possibly be coming from the haptic engine/trackpad, and offered to send it in for repair. I agreed and they sent it off Friday 6/24.
Got an email Monday (yesterday) morning that it had been received, and by yesterday afternoon it had been sent back for overnight delivery. Arrived back today 6.28 (Tuesday).
The Genius bar work authorization read:
"Labor charge" - 100
"Flat rate 2 Repair, MBP 14" - 628
... for a total of $728.
(but no charge to me, still under warranty)
Invoice says the trackpad was replaced.
What's noteworthy here is that the trackpad/haptic engine IS "replaceable". I was under the impression that with the earlier, "butterfly keyboard" MacBook Pros that it was not. But it looks like Apple has decided to go back to this component being replaceable in case of failure.
I've only used it for some very quick power-on and testing, the real test will come from hours of usage later on. But Apple service did right by me on this one.
From reading the Reddit thread I linked to above, one user said that the Apple Store guy mentioned that the "ticking" was a problem on at least one batch of production models. So it's possible that other users in this forum may hear it develop.
If it's a problem localized to a particular run of haptic trackpads, it might also affect users of MBP 16" models (assuming they use the same component). Just something to be aware of.
Perhaps my experience will prove useful to another forum reader on down the line...
