What on earth is this noise from my MBP?!

[anthonysjb]

Hey,

Long time Macrumors user here, haven't logged in for about 8 years though so had to make new account.

Please check out this video. My early 2015 13'' MacBook Pro Retina is making a super weird noise. Does anyone know what this could be? I've taken the case back off and given it a dusting hasn't made any difference. The noise comes and goes randomly, the speakers work as normal.

Thanks!!!

https://youtube.com/shorts/3S0YynsnSVw?feature=share

 

[Snørrbjørg]

Sound like a hard disk drive thats going to give up in a not too distance future.

 

[anthonysjb]

It has an SSD though! I believe it is coming from the CPU fan area, but it doesn't sound like a fan issue.

 

[jackoverfull]

Hard to tell from the video, but I’d say it’s either a defective speaker (or speaker connection) or a bent fan.

 

[anthonysjb]

Hard to tell from the video, but I’d say it’s either a defective speaker (or speaker connection) or a bent fan.

Thanks. Fingers crossed it is one of those parts that can just be swapped out. Here is another video, any more input much appreciated before I head down to the laptop repair place.

 

[Fishrrman]

Turn the sound all the way down (off).
Do you still hear the noise?
If so, I'd figure on it being the fan.

There's nothing else "in there" that moves, that I know of.

Are there any YouTube videos that show how to clean the fan on a 2015 MBP?
(haven't looked)

 

[jackoverfull]

Unfortunately not necessarily, as if the speaker or the connection to the speaker is defective it might make sound even with no volume.

That said, my money is on the fan as well. I have never tried disassembling one from a 2015 MBP, but on my 2008 it was relatively easy. Mine used to make much more noise than this, though, I was originally able to lower the noise by physically reshaping the casing in a less bent configuration and oiling the fan, but eventually I just bought a new one abs replaced it.

 

[MRxROBOT]

Just disconnect the fan and see if the sound is still there. If it is, try disconnecting the speakers. There’s no need to guess or have us guess just yet. If the above solutions don’t work, then you can get back to guessing.

 

[anthonysjb]

I used Macs Fan Control and it turns out that when they're maxed, the sound gets worse. So it is the fan. I'll order a new one and get it fitted.

Thanks for your help, hopefully this helps someone else out.

 

[jackoverfull]

good idea, glad you found the issue.

 

[Technerd108]

Sounds like a Gremlin or somebody tapping on the Mac... Good thing you figured it out! Good Luck!!