Does this sound like a SSD failing?

[markgodley]

2015 MacBook Pro 15”

About 3 weeks ago I had my MacBook Pro battery replaced by Apple under warranty as part of a recall.

All was well until last night when my MacBook failed to turn on. I was prompted with a folder with a question mark flashing and what sounded like an electrical buzz. I booted up into recovery to get to disk utility and it didn’t see my drive only some sort of disc image which was about 2gb (I assume some sort of recover internal memory?)

Anyway, after about 5mins I turned it off and back on and it fired up and all was well. The same happened this morning (failed to boot and buzzing noise) I gave it a little shake and the buzzing stopped and it booted up again (could of been a coincidence?).

Does this sound like a failing SSD (would that make a electrical buzzing noise if it was failing)?

Just a bit paranoid it might not be and could be a result of having my battery replaced and something was caught/knocked if they were working in the same area/near by area.

Any advice would be great.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Bring it back for a checkup. Your repair has a 90 day warranty. Use it before it’s too late.

 

[markgodley]

Bring it back for a checkup. Your repair has a 90 day warranty. Use it before it’s too late.

I’ve logged it with Apple and they advised I can bring it for repair, it’s just it’s 1.5 hours each way, so just thought I’d see if anyone else had similar past experiences.

 

[todoricco]

My 2015 13 inch pro had the same issue last year.I did back it up and in a month it failed.I replaced it with second hand one. No issues so far.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Give Apple Diagnostics a shot first:

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support

Apple Diagnostics, formerly known as Apple Hardware Test, can check your Mac for hardware issues.

support.apple.com

 

[markgodley]

Give Apple Diagnostics a shot first:

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support

Apple Diagnostics, formerly known as Apple Hardware Test, can check your Mac for hardware issues.

support.apple.com

Thanks for this.

Ok dumb question, can I do this any time, or do I need to wait until the issue occurs again before doing it?

 

[Nbd1790]

The question mark folder indicates (90% of the time) a hard drive issue. Normally there's no sound attached to it such as the one you're hearing. The folder means the computer is having trouble finding the OS, which could be a hard drive failure or potentially something wrong with the connection to the hard drive like the logic board failing.

Unfortunately that long trip to the Apple store is going to be necessary, as someone mentioned you have a 90 day warranty on the work that was done, and it sounds like something isn't right from the repair they did for you. I've had hard drives fail before and there was never a sound that came along with is (except on older SATA drives with discs)

 

[Fishrrman]

A "failing SSD" wouldn't make the computer "buzz". An SSD usually just "goes dark", and that's it. Nothing there at all.

Since this happened AFTER the battery swap, something that didn't go right with that procedure is the first thing I'd suspect.

Put up with the drive, and get it back to Apple within the "replacement warranty period" you have that comes with the battery swap.
DON'T PUT THIS OFF.
Do what you have to do.

They'll probably repeat the procedure, and give you another fresh battery.
You could also ask them to check the SSD (for proper connection), etc.

That's what I'd try first.

 

[markgodley]

Thanks everyone.

I’ve booked it in this Saturday to get looked at. I tried the diagnostics when it was working and no worries reported.

It then started doing it again and this time the diagnostics reported an issue with the storage device - see attached.

I’ve also included a video in case it helps anyone too! Ignore the dust… my light came on when videoing

I gave the mac a little shake again and it stopped doing the electrical noise again and started working again.

So maybe loose connection during the repair?

I’ll keep you all updated once I’ve had it looked at.

 

[Fishrrman]

Does the 2015 MBP 15" have removable storage, a blade drive that goes into "a slot"?
If so... wondering if it might have become "dislodged" during the battery replacement.

If the connection between SSD and motherboard wasn't "complete", it could certainly produce the "?" at bootup (which means the Mac can't find a good OS from which to boot).

That you were able to shake it -- and then get a good boot -- suggests a "marginal connection".
When you bring it in to the genius bar, might be worth mentioning this before they start working on it.

Good luck!

 

[markgodley]

Ok, just an update on this.

Took it to the mac store and they checked it out. Looks like the screw used to hold the SSD was loose, which would explain why shaking made it work I guess.

They tightened it and it’s been ok since. ?

 

[Fred Zed]

Ok, just an update on this.

Took it to the mac store and they checked it out. Looks like the screw used to hold the SSD was loose, which would explain why shaking made it work I guess.

They tightened it and it’s been ok since. 🤞

Did they compensate you for lost time due to their poor repair? I doubt it, but alas a happy ending.