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Macbook popping like crazy when handled
- Thread starter gcsr1992
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This happened to my new M2 MacBook Pro Max also. It's more than likely the bottom thin aluminum cover not being secured tightly enough to the unibody chassis at the factory. When you move the MBP they way you did in the video, you exert force at the corners which will cause the bottom cover to move slightly against the body of the MBP causing the sound.
I fixed my clicking noise by using a pentalobe screwdriver I got off eBay to take out all 8 screws and reinstalling them. Note that the bottom 4 and top 4 screws are DIFFERENT lengths. I actually "mixed" the 4 screws at the bottom and the 4 at the top so they ended up in a different hole from where each came out of. Also, I tightened each screw slightly tighter without stripping the head.
It helps to put in each screw like you would a lug nut on a car's wheel by placing it in diagonally across from each other instead of into the hole next to it. In other words, put in the bottom right one first, then the upper left one, then bottom left, upper right, etc.
I found that the factory screws came out rather easily meaning that they were barely torqued into the aluminum chassis to spec. I have opened up all my MBPs over the years and know how much "feels" about right. Good luck!
I fixed my clicking noise by using a pentalobe screwdriver I got off eBay to take out all 8 screws and reinstalling them. Note that the bottom 4 and top 4 screws are DIFFERENT lengths. I actually "mixed" the 4 screws at the bottom and the 4 at the top so they ended up in a different hole from where each came out of. Also, I tightened each screw slightly tighter without stripping the head.
It helps to put in each screw like you would a lug nut on a car's wheel by placing it in diagonally across from each other instead of into the hole next to it. In other words, put in the bottom right one first, then the upper left one, then bottom left, upper right, etc.
I found that the factory screws came out rather easily meaning that they were barely torqued into the aluminum chassis to spec. I have opened up all my MBPs over the years and know how much "feels" about right. Good luck!
thank you so much! I'm gonna try exactly that! It's so annoying, and a I even sent it to repair and I came back the same way. Anyways thank you!
Don't thank me just yet…😁 I might be way off course. What exactly did the repairman do? Did he reseat and retighten the screws on the bottom plate? There is a remote chance it could be the screen joint but it seems the thin aluminum plate is the cause of this type of noise.
I've had somewhat similar popping with a bottom plate before too, I'd wager it is indeed that too.
I agree. I owned many MBP since the 17 inch from back in 2010 and all of them had some minor crackling if I held the computer by one of the corners only and thus started my adventure to solve the issue. There seems to be quite a few folks here on MR with the same issue if you do a quick search.
well the report it says " Equipment presents slight cracks during opening, during internal inspection cleaning and resettlement of screen connectors was carried out. Tests Apple ran did not indicate any hardware issues. In comparison with other equipment of the same model, it was possible to identify that some have the same characteristic, no repair will be necessary. Reinstalled MacOS to latest version of Ventura"
It's translate to English from Portuguese, just in case any word is weird.. The problem wasn't solved at all. I feel cheated somehow. To me they just reinstalled the OS and called it a day. How can an equipment so expensive shows this pop like when handled, my brains cannot comply with it
Before I had the late 2013 MacBook 15.4, and it indeed showed up some pop/ clicking sound but only when I wasn't being very careful or was in a hurry and grabbed quickly, but it was never this loud and prominent
Hmm. That sounds like they think that it is the screen connector or the screen hinge. It is possible. It sounds like you are still under warranty since they looked at it for you. Do you have another Apple Store you can go to to have it looked at by another tech? Different techs have different knowledge and experience sometimes and can help you better perhaps. But definitely look for obvious things first such as the bottom aluminum cover not being tightened correctly like so many of us have had.
After I removed the bottom cover of my 2019 13" to clean the fan, the case made a slight popping sound after it was screwed back on. It did go away in time. So i don't think you should worry about it.
Mark as NSFW please.
Obvious what's going on behind the macbook with your hand.
Obvious what's going on behind the macbook with your hand.
Could that contribute to the noise? Sounds like a good reason for replacement.
That's what Apple said? Seems quite disappointing, such a response for a company that is continually bragging about their customer satisfaction ratings. Hopefully there are insights in this forum that can help you.
I went to an authorized service. I called apple today and they asked me to send the Mac to them. Let's see what they're gonna do with it. I'll come back with more information
My guess is the top or bottom case (or perhaps both) will get replaced. Or the screen if the hinges are the issue.
Authorized service partners can be like playing the lottery. Sometimes you get people who truly know their stuff when it comes to Apple products and repair. But there are times where you either get someone in way over their skill level or someone who just doesn't care enough to properly assess the issue, which can result in either the original problem not being fixed at all or making the issue worse in the process.
And guys the worst happened. I sent the MacBook to another authorized (as there are not apple stores here in my city) and today I picket up the Mac, and the same popping is happening, and worse I saw some scratches on the screen. Now they are blaming me for the scratches on the display. I called Apple again and they said to sent the computer again to the second authorized repair, and they'd get in touch themselves with the authorized. At this point I'm almost giving up. I feel betrayed and actually devastated giving the amount of disrespect with the client and lack of professionalism.
I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to you MBP. It's really too bad you don't have any Apple Stores in your city where you can do a simple exchange or proper repair. Do you have AppleCare+ in your country and did you purchase it for your MBP? I know here in the US, Apple can even send you a box to mail your computer in to have it serviced. And if it's a bigger desktop, they will even send a technician to your location, again if you have AppleCare.
It's really to bad that a noise has turned out to be a nightmare for you. Don't lose hope. Apple should make this right for you. They are usually very accommodating if you are polite but firm with customer service. I would be very upset if a service repair shop scratched my screen or the outer aluminum shell after a repair. Please keep us all posted.
I had slightly similar issue when I ordered M1 Pro 14, not as prominent as in yours, but it was still there.
I returned it to avoid issues with authorised dealers since we dont have Apple store in my country.
I also didnt want to reset the bottom plate myself on brand new machine, so I returned it.
In coming days reading other peoples experiences, I came to accept that its a common and normal issue with these Macbooks and that you either accept it or you return it either to get replacement or send it for repair or just simply return it and dont buy again said Macbook model.
I returned it to avoid issues with authorised dealers since we dont have Apple store in my country.
I also didnt want to reset the bottom plate myself on brand new machine, so I returned it.
In coming days reading other peoples experiences, I came to accept that its a common and normal issue with these Macbooks and that you either accept it or you return it either to get replacement or send it for repair or just simply return it and dont buy again said Macbook model.
Would love to read this story end well as that is a terrible thing to have to deal with. Nothing like sending in a laptop for an issue and receiving it back with additional damage.
So I called apple in the middle of this week, and I had to send them videos e pictures for like the seventh time (each time I call I need to do this as if they didn't have the pictures already..). They said I should take to the authorized repair again. So I reached out to the authorized, and what I heard was they could not retain my MacBook there because there was no problem to be solved. They'd issue a service number and send to apple stating the motives they would not keep the machine. I got pissed and call apple AGAIN, and I had to send pictures AGAIN, and they said they would have a meeting and call me tomorrow about this situation. So I think tomorrow I'm gonna have the final answer. But it's unreliable the amount of stress I've been through. This machine is so expensive, and I don't think I deserve to be treated this way. The machine is absolutely new, there is not use marks, stains, never dropped water or anything. And Then this issues started and on top of that I have a scratched MacBook...