Sharp Cracking Noise from Hinge

Mew2468 · Jan 16, 2010

My new 13.3" Unibody MacBook Pro has been great up until now. I've had it since September and it's worked without a charm. For some reason, as I went to close the hinge (slowly) today, it made an extremely sharp cracking sound, as if the screen had broken off. I had mini-heart attack on the inside, thinking that the screen of my MacBook Pro had just broken. I quickly opened the screen to see that nothing was damaged. I went to close it again and I went past the point that the cracking noise happened at (it sounds like it gets caught). As I kept closing it, the cracking noise happened about 3 more times. No noises come from it as I open the MacBook Pro, but when I slowly close it, it cracks (really loudly).

I've been closing the lid really quickly now, and no cracking sounds occur when I do that. Do you think it's a loose screw or something like that?

Should I take it into an Apple Store to see if they can fix it? This laptop is like my baby.

Edit: I somewhat temporarily alleviated the issue by pushing a piece of paper through the hinge and out the back of the laptop an pulling it back and forth. The hinge worked well for about 5 times, then started cracking again.

Edit: Now that I think about it, it might be caused because it's been on for about 11 hours. I've never worked it this hard before. I'll try again after I go to sleep, and see if the problem has gone away.

Edit: Okay, the problem is a little better now. There are still tension points (there are less though), but they don't crack very often as I go past them.

miamialley · Feb 17, 2010

Mew2468 said: ↑

My new 13.3" Unibody MacBook Pro has been great up until now. I've had it since September and it's worked without a charm. For some reason, as I went to close the hinge (slowly) today, it made an extremely sharp cracking sound, as if the screen had broken off. I had mini-heart attack on the inside, thinking that the screen of my MacBook Pro had just broken. I quickly opened the screen to see that nothing was damaged. I went to close it again and I went past the point that the cracking noise happened at (it sounds like it gets caught). As I kept closing it, the cracking noise happened about 3 more times. No noises come from it as I open the MacBook Pro, but when I slowly close it, it cracks (really loudly).

I've been closing the lid really quickly now, and no cracking sounds occur when I do that. Do you think it's a loose screw or something like that?

Should I take it into an Apple Store to see if they can fix it? This laptop is like my baby.

Edit: I somewhat temporarily alleviated the issue by pushing a piece of paper through the hinge and out the back of the laptop an pulling it back and forth. The hinge worked well for about 5 times, then started cracking again.

Edit: Now that I think about it, it might be caused because it's been on for about 11 hours. I've never worked it this hard before. I'll try again after I go to sleep, and see if the problem has gone away.

Edit: Okay, the problem is a little better now. There are still tension points (there are less though), but they don't crack very often as I go past them.
Click to expand...

If it's under warranty you should definitely take it in.

Alvi · Feb 17, 2010

Take it to apple if it continues, if not just give it some time, only you know how bad it sounds

flat five · Feb 17, 2010

my 03 powerbook does that..
been doing it for a couple of years now (after it fell off a table)..
still works though.

but yeah, if it's still under warranty, might as well have it looked at.

maladroit · Feb 22, 2010

I'm having this issue, too (same series 13" MBP). It's probably not as loud as yours sounds, however the hinge when opened makes a cracking sound. Doesn't matter if it is fast or slow. Also, it almost sounds like something is loose in there. It's been doing this for about two months.

I plan on taking mine to my Apple store, but I've got a month of school left so it'll have to hold off til then.

I also have sleep/wake problems, but I'm going to make a new thread about that. Let me know what they tell you.

-Ryan

HLdan · Feb 22, 2010

maladroit said: ↑

I'm having this issue, too (same series 13" MBP). It's probably not as loud as yours sounds, however the hinge when opened makes a cracking sound. Doesn't matter if it is fast or slow. Also, it almost sounds like something is loose in there. It's been doing this for about two months.

I plan on taking mine to my Apple store, but I've got a month of school left so it'll have to hold off til then.

I also have sleep/wake problems, but I'm going to make a new thread about that. Let me know what they tell you.

-Ryan
Click to expand...

I just took my 13" MBP to Apple to have my hinge repaired for the same reason. The hinge is connected to the screen so they are replacing the whole screen as well. All I can recommend for you is not to wait long on this. If your hinge breaks they will blame you for physical damage.

maladroit · Feb 22, 2010

HLdan said: ↑

I just took my 13" MBP to Apple to have my hinge repaired for the same reason. The hinge is connected to the screen so they are replacing the whole screen as well. All I can recommend for you is not to wait long on this. If your hinge breaks they will blame you for physical damage.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up. What was the turnaround time for you?

maladroit · Apr 22, 2010

Just an update--

Took the computer in about a month ago and the Apple genius didn't seem to care about the problem and dispatched me real quick.

Went to a different store today and they acknowledged it was a known problem and is in for repair.

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