A Strange Noise from the Left Part of Keyboard-16inch MacBook- A Common Issue?

[INC123]

I noticed a strange noise from the left part of the keyboard of my 16-inch MacBook Pro. The noise is especially obvious if I move my ear closer to the "Q" "W" "A" "S" buttons. It sounds like a hard disk drive is writing files. But the 16-inch MacBook Pro uses SSD which should be quiet. Two of my friends' 16-inch MacBook Pro have the same problem. Is this a common issue?

 

[DeltaMac]

It's the fan.
That area is where the left fan is located.

 

[impulse462]

If it’s a soft “wir” it’s the fan. If it’s a soft grinding noise it’s probably the SSD coil wine

 

[DubCity]

Everybody is getting to the point that if they even so much as hear a single noise they assume their 16 inch is faulty

 

[Howard2k]

Probably coil whine. I’m sure if I hold my ear to my MacBook I can probably hear coil whine or fans too.

It won‘t be completely silent and if your volume levels are in line with your friends’ MacBooks then it’s probably within spec. But you can always take it back if you’re within the window.

 

[LoganT]

People being overtly concerned for their new Mac is nothing new. I’ve been on here for 12 years on and off and people turn into Mac computer hypochondriacs whenever they get a new one, especially if it’s a new design/form factor.

I understand why, they spent a lot of money and want to make sure it’s right. It just makes it hard to decipher what is and isn’t an issue.

 

[happyhippo1337]

If it's sounding like this then it's the coil whine / SSD noise whatever.
YouTube Video

I experience this myself on three devices (13" 2017, 15" 2018 and this 16") but I have to say, it's completely gone at the moment while I'm in another office. Do you notice it more severely when the MBP is plugged in?

 

[embotix]

I noticed a strange noise from the left part of the keyboard of my 16-inch MacBook Pro. The noise is especially obvious if I move my ear closer to the "Q" "W" "A" "S" buttons. It sounds like a hard disk drive is writing files. But the 16-inch MacBook Pro uses SSD which should be quiet. Two of my friends' 16-inch MacBook Pro have the same problem. Is this a common issue?

I'm having the exact same issue. It really sounds like it's writing to a disk - but - I didn't think you could hear anything from an SSD!
[automerge]1575510723[/automerge]

If it's sounding like this then it's the coil whine / SSD noise whatever.
YouTube Video

I experience this myself on three devices (13" 2017, 15" 2018 and this 16") but I have to say, it's completely gone at the moment while I'm in another office. Do you notice it more severely when the MBP is plugged in?

Man I'd never heard of "coil whine" before this 16". Never realized it was a thing. Does this potentially just work itself out over time?

 

[bsbeamer]

See this thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/psa-coil-whine-on-mbp-16.2211580/