Clicking/creaking noise on late 2016 MBP

[--ld--]

Interesting, --id--.

I thought this was likely to happen to me if I sent it in enough. Have you settled with the issue now? Or will you send it back since the problem persists?

I am planning to send it in again, but since it is my main working machine I have to wait a few weeks because I need it now. I bought it from a premium reseller in Austria (McSHARK) and and also brought it there for the repair. They repaired it in-house the first time and ordered the replacement top case from Apple. The whole process was quite quick (5 working days from drop-off to pick-up) and they also acknowledged the problem right away and said that it was a known problem. When I picked up the machine after the repair I tested it on their counter (with multiple "yes" commands in terminal) and it seemed that everything was fine, but in the course of the following days the popping started again...

I hope, like you, that eventually they will give me a replacement after a few unsuccessful repairs. I am looking forward to hear your experience after you get your machine back!

 

[SRTM]

Noticed my machine is popping more often now. And cracking whenever I open the hinge.
Found some other issues as well so I guess I'll take it in... ugh

 

[owl]

I am planning to send it in again, but since it is my main working machine I have to wait a few weeks because I need it now. I bought it from a premium reseller in Austria (McSHARK) and and also brought it there for the repair. They repaired it in-house the first time and ordered the replacement top case from Apple. The whole process was quite quick (5 working days from drop-off to pick-up) and they also acknowledged the problem right away and said that it was a known problem. When I picked up the machine after the repair I tested it on their counter (with multiple "yes" commands in terminal) and it seemed that everything was fine, but in the course of the following days the popping started again...

I hope, like you, that eventually they will give me a replacement after a few unsuccessful repairs. I am looking forward to hear your experience after you get your machine back!

Yesterday I went to my 3rd Genius Bar appointment at my local Apple Store. I was surprised to find out that apparently Apple is recognizing this exact problem now. I saw on the employee's tablet that the issue was classified as 'Display (popping)'. Their solution is to replace the top case (including the display).

Keep in mind that Apple support technicians need to be able to reproduce the problem, before they go ahead with the top case/display replacement. My machine is currently being serviced. I'll update you when I get it back.

 

[--ld--]

Yesterday I went to my 3rd Genius Bar appointment at my local Apple Store. I was surprised to find out that apparently Apple is recognizing this exact problem now. I saw on the employee's tablet that the issue was classified as 'Display (popping)'. Their solution is to replace the top case (including the display).

Keep in mind that Apple support technicians need to be able to reproduce the problem, before they go ahead with the top case/display replacement. My machine is currently being serviced. I'll update you when I get it back.

That's also what they told me, that the problem is known and afaik acknowledged by Apple. However, in my case only the top case has been replaced (including keyboard, touchbar, battery). The display and housing stayed the same, but the technician told me that the hinge was adjusted.

Thanks for keeping us updated!

 

[dodder92]

Just stumbled across this knocking issue with my Mac last night, seems like something is loose inside the screen as everything feels pretty solid. I can only recreate it when rocking the machine side to side as per below video. Is this the same issue everyone else has?

 

[owl]

Just stumbled across this knocking issue with my Mac last night, seems like something is loose inside the screen as everything feels pretty solid. I can only recreate it when rocking the machine side to side as per below video. Is this the same issue everyone else has?

Wow. That is definitely not the same issue we're all experiencing. You should make an appointment with Apple Support.

 

[Nemozini]

They replaced the top case/display on my laptop too. Popping sound came back after 2 weeks or so. I sent it back to local Apple store and they said they can't do much until Apple HQ figures it out. They gave it back for me to use until then.

Will wait a month or so. Hopefully they can fix it, otherwise I will ask for the 2017 model.

I understand that most appliances make noises due to expansion and contraction but this is beyond acceptable limits. If it made it once a day, I'm ok with that. But this macbook does it constantly while in use and it is annoying. You can even hear it through music or game audio.

 

[lambertjohn]

"I understand that most appliances make noises due to expansion and contraction"

Have had tons of Apple computers in my life, and I've never owned a single one that makes noises due to expansion and contraction. Zippo. Zero. Zilch.

 

[owl]

They replaced the top case/display on my laptop too. Popping sound came back after 2 weeks or so. I sent it back to local Apple store and they said they can't do much until Apple HQ figures it out. They gave it back for me to use until then.

Will wait a month or so. Hopefully they can fix it, otherwise I will ask for the 2017 model.

I understand that most appliances make noises due to expansion and contraction but this is beyond acceptable limits. If it made it once a day, I'm ok with that. But this macbook does it constantly while in use and it is annoying. You can even hear it through music or game audio.

Sounds similar to --id--'s experience. I agree with you, it's unacceptable. And like lambertjohn, all my previous Macbooks have never had an issue like this.

Let us know what happens, Nemozini.

 

[--ld--]

Do you all have 15" machines? I am wondering if this problem also shows up for the 13" models...

 

[owl]

Do you all have 15" machines? I am wondering if this problem also shows up for the 13" models...

I think most of us have 15" machines.

I do recall reading on a forum that it has happened on someone's 13" model, though the problem seems to be more prevalent on the 15".

 

[Nemozini]

Do you all have 15" machines? I am wondering if this problem also shows up for the 13" models...

15 inch yes, it is now making these noises any time, even under light load. I will update to Sierra 10.12.6 and see if it makes any difference but I doubt it.

 

[Jinshu]

Been getting this on the 13" MacBook Pro as well...

I managed to record it. Beginning is a bit of typing and then the loud pop noise from the back of the monitor.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9XbKMlRPRPAN1RZajdLMlBiVGc/view?usp=sharing

 

[Taz Mangus]

The 2015 MacBook Pros also to have that issue.

 

[kokhoong0624]

Does anyone here experience a creaking noise when pressing the bottom left part of the MacBook Pro (the left side of the trackpad)? My one felt like the bottom case is loose.....

 

[--ld--]

Does anyone here experience a creaking noise when pressing the bottom left part of the MacBook Pro (the left side of the trackpad)? My one felt like the bottom case is loose.....

The popping sounds on mine only seem to come from the top part of the machine, above the keyboard. I strongly guess that they come from the hinge, since any kind of movement of the display (even if ever so slight) causes a pop. This also occurs when I use it on my lap without heavy load from time to time. Placing my Macbook Pro on a flat surface (table) and not moving it causes a pop every 5-10 minutes when under load.

When my machine is off, there are no pops under the same conditions (having it on the lap, moving the screen while on a table), so for me it looks like it is caused by a material expansion and strain due to it getting warm.

Today I will bring it in for the second repair. I will keep you updated, guys!

 

[owl]

I've gotten 2 separate 15" MBP with Touch Bar back from a full top case/display replacement at a local Apple Store.

Ran the same tests as before, no pops and I have not heard any popping since the replacement. One thing I noticed is that the aluminum section above the touch bar is not getting as hot as before. I tried all the reproduction steps (from my post on the previous page) and nothing caused any popping - even when physically trying to produce the sound.

It seems like they managed to fix it, somehow, so I recommend taking it in and letting them replace the top case/display.

I'll let you know if anything changes with my 2 machines.

 

[ronaldcastillo]

I've gotten 2 separate 15" MBP with Touch Bar back from a full top case/display replacement at a local Apple Store.

Ran the same tests as before, no pops and I have not heard any popping since the replacement. One thing I noticed is that the aluminum section above the touch bar is not getting as hot as before. I tried all the reproduction steps (from my post on the previous page) and nothing caused any popping - even when physically trying to produce the sound.

It seems like they managed to fix it, somehow, so I recommend taking it in and letting them replace the top case/display.

I'll let you know if anything changes with my 2 machines.

How long does the replacement normally takes? Had the clicking noise since I got it and recently in the last month or two, it's been making this random noise (I think it's coming from the speakers). Did you ever have any issues of them scratching the MBP body?

 

[vjobs]

How long does the replacement normally takes? Had the clicking noise since I got it and recently in the last month or two, it's been making this random noise (I think it's coming from the speakers). Did you ever have any issues of them scratching the MBP body?

At the Apple Store in the Netherlands it may take up to 5 working days to be ready for pick-up.

 

[ronaldcastillo]

At the Apple Store in the Netherlands it may take up to 5 working days to be ready for pick-up.

Were they able to fixed the issue on yours after having it repaired? Thinking now is the best time since it's still summer. Wanna get it done before school starts again.

 

[vjobs]

Were they able to fixed the issue on yours after having it repaired? Thinking now is the best time since it's still summer. Wanna get it done before school starts again.

Well, they didn't replace my top case though. They have replaced my screen one year ago. At drop-off, they said that (provided that the part is in stock at their distribution centre), their maximum turnaround time is 5 working days including ordering the necessary parts, regardless of the repairs that need to be done.

I got lucky, after just two working days they had already finished the repair.

 

[owl]

How long does the replacement normally takes? Had the clicking noise since I got it and recently in the last month or two, it's been making this random noise (I think it's coming from the speakers). Did you ever have any issues of them scratching the MBP body?

First they need to acknowledge the issue exists on your machine. Then they order the part, which took 2 days for each of my machines (I had the second machine serviced after the first was completed.) Then they'll replace the part. For my first machine, they finished the replacement in the same day. The second was completed in 2 days.

I've never experienced random noises from my speakers.

I had no issues with scratches. The Apple employee checked my machine for scratches when I handed it off and took note of its condition. Got it back in the same (or perhaps better) condition.

 

[Nemozini]

Mine started making popping noises again after they replaced top case after ~two weeks time, so stay alert.

 

[AntoineDuval]

The same sound I hear in my MPB 15" 2TB. No idea what it is.
Sound is coming, when I'm laying down in bed and holding Mac on legs at ~45 deg angle.
Sound is going awake, if I putting Mac at the flat surface (at the table for example).

Exactly the same problem :/

 

[--ld--]

Mine started making popping noises again after they replaced top case after ~two weeks time, so stay alert.

I also think that the popping noises develop over time... My original machine started making the noises only after 1,5 to 2 months, before it was without a flaw. Then, after my first top case replacement it worked fine for about 2 days, the noises startet coming back again and got more frequent after a week.

I still haven't heard anything from my second top case replacement... I have call the shop where I brought it in over a week ago and check my repair status tomorrow.