Blown capacitor (?) - loud popping and smoke

[OaktownBdon]

I've had a Mac Studio Max for almost 2 months, and so far have been loving it. However, in the middle of the night last night (while the computer was asleep), I heard a loud popping sound—like popcorn but 10x the volume. When I went over to my desk I saw smoke pouring out of the back of the Mac Studio. I immediately unplugged the power and everything else and haven't attempted to turn it back on. I have an appointment with Apple tomorrow morning.

After some searching around, it sounds like this is the description of a blown capacitor. Has anyone else run into this? I've had a really positive experience overall with all my Apple products, but I have to admit this is a huge bummer on several fronts. If I wasn't at home, would this kind of thing pose any sort of fire risk? I'm guessing no, but assuming I get a Studio replacement or repair, I also don't exactly feel great about putting it in sleep mode and the same thing happening when I'm not at home.

 

[Lihp8270]

I've had a Mac Studio Max for almost 2 months, and so far have been loving it. However, in the middle of the night last night (while the computer was asleep), I heard a loud popping sound—like popcorn but 10x the volume. When I went over to my desk I saw smoke pouring out of the back of the Mac Studio. I immediately unplugged the power and everything else and haven't attempted to turn it back on. I have an appointment with Apple tomorrow morning.

After some searching around, it sounds like this is the description of a blown capacitor. Has anyone else run into this? I've had a really positive experience overall with all my Apple products, but I have to admit this is a huge bummer on several fronts. If I wasn't at home, would this kind of thing pose any sort of fire risk? I'm guessing no, but assuming I get a Studio replacement or repair, I also don't exactly feel great about putting it in sleep mode and the same thing happening when I'm not at home.

Any electrical device poses a fire risk if it fails.

Computers are no different. Like any other electrical appliance, remove the power while unattended.

 

[lcubed]

was there a power surge in the area?
are there any electronic devices not working 100%?

(my neighbor had one last week and her oven will no longer go over 300F
continuously displays 'HOT SURFACE' and there's a strong burnt toast smell
when she cooks. also cooked the laptop power supply.)

 

[Slartibart]

get a power connection cord with a switch, this will additionally protect against voltage spikes.

 

[Allyance]

I have lost several appliance to power surges, lost a bread maker and my Kuerig display isn't quite right, but still works. Larger capacitors are normally in the power supply circuits, if there was smoke then that would probably be a resistor. I use a small APC UPS that looks like an overgrown plug strip to keep my iMac and router safe an on until I power down if necessary. Couple seeks ago my power went off then on again several times, thought for sure I would lose something, but it came back on for good. Turns out some contractor hit the power and cable tv underground services way down our street, took Comcast 12 hours to restore internet and cable tv service. Small back-up UPS units ($70-80) also have built in thyristors for surge protection, a simple switch won't help unless use turn off equipment when not in use, not handy for wifi routers which are used day and night.

 

[Slartibart]

the OP ask for a solution when not at home - so if not transfering data from or to some IP adres, a switch is probably sufficient. Besides there are several which provide additionally even protection for voltage spike like e.g. cause by a flash hitting nearby.

 

[lcubed]

the OP ask for a solution when not at home - so if not transfering data from or to some IP adres, a switch is probably sufficient. Besides there are several which provide additionally even protection for voltage spike like e.g. cause by a flash hitting nearby.

i'd think about using a good quality UPS to provide voltage regulation and power surge protection.
this is all assuming that the cooked cap was due to an external power surge vs a one time failure.

 

[OaktownBdon]

I very much appreciate all the replies! I do have the Mac Studio plugged into a surge protector, though it's not a UPS. To my knowledge there wasn't any other electrical outage, nor have I seen any other issues with electronics, which makes me think it was a one-time failure.

 

[Killerbob]

Even Apple computers are just electric devices, and electric devices fail. This sounds like a one-off and I am just happy nothing more happened. I am sure Apple will take care of you, and I think you can rest assured that this is indeed a Unicorn...

 

[BanditoB]

It's most likely one of the larger capacitors in the power supply that fried on you. I would chalk it up to random chance and not worry too much about it.

 

[Feek]

It sounds like a cap popping more than anything else, that's generally accompanied by the magic smoke being released. Resistors burning will let out the magic smoke but don't pop when they fail.

Of course, the former going could cause one of the latter to also fail.

 

[Fishrrman]

This is one reason why I have powered my Mac off at night for 35 years.

I keep the Mac (and related peripherals) plugged into a surge suppressor.

When I'm done using it for the night, I'll
a. power off the Mac
b. reach down and power off the surge suppressor (which de=powers ALL peripherals).

Then in the morning, I reach down and power on the suppressor, then press the power on button on the Mac.

I'll do the same if I'm leaving the house for a while (most of the time).

I prefer as little "electrical stuff" on as possible when I'm sleeping or not there.