Surface Laptop 3 Faint Buzzing Sound

Anonymous
2019-10-23T21:50:20+00:00

Hello,

I’ve got the i5 8GB Surface Laptop 3 (13.5-inch), and today, while browsing the internet, I noticed a fairly faint  buzzing sound coming from under the keyboard. It was faint enough you couldn’t hear it from a couple metres away, and sometimes buzzed continuously, other times buzzed in short repetitive bursts.

It didn’t sound like the fan to me, so I opened up the task manager to see if browsing was straining the computer in some way.

I have updated the computer completely, but the buzzing persisted.

Is this a normal electronics problem? Is it actually just the fan? Or is it possibly a defective unit?

Edit/Update:

I took the device into the MS Store today to see if there was something wrong. The staff took it into the back and tested it. They found increasing the computer's workload caused the sound to increase and described it as a popping static-y sound. They replaced the device and I have a new one now. Unfortunately, I've found through usage that this one is also making the sound. I am waiting to see if a firmware update reduces the noise since it seems pervasive across the devices.

Surface | Surface Laptop | Install and update

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-01-28T20:54:00+00:00

    Same issue here: Buzzing sound under F12/Power button.

    my workaround: Put the radio extra high so you can't here it while working...

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-01-15T17:34:06+00:00

    I have the same problem. My first SL3 made such a loud noise and the body made disturbing creaking sounds while picking up the Laptop that I decided to get a replacement from MS. Unfortunately the replacement has the same issue with the coil whine. Then I found this thread and decided that another replacement probably wouldn't solve the issue but leave me without a computer for about a week. In times of COVID-19 this i quite a big problem if you're a student or need to work from home. Anyways I hope that MS finds a solution before my warranty will end in autumn...

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-12-31T16:04:47+00:00

    The replacements are refurbished devices?!?! Thats completely dreadful? 

    My next laptop is certainly not a surface...maybe an XPS 15 or similar.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-12-30T10:47:54+00:00

    Hi everyone!

    Just want to share my experience with this device: Surface Laptop 3.

    I think I did a record amount of replacements: I was an owner of the 6 laptops. All they had processor Core i7 1065G7. And sure all those processors had buzzing/static sound. My first laptop was delivered in August and today I finally completed this order with a full refund. I had so much communication with 10-12 persons so I can already write a small book about this case. Anyway, here the results I want to share with you.

    1. By exchange policy, MS always sends you refurbished devices. This is official information and I got it several times via email. So, if you received a broken device - you shouldn't exchange it, send it back and ask for a refund. So you have a chance to buy a brand new device. But the funniest thing - I think I received the refurbished device from the start. It was in the grey ugly box connected via tape (as all the next refurbished devices). And even more - the last device was not delivered to me for 3 weeks because they didn't have it in the store but online I had a possibility to order it via delivery 2-3 days. So, guys, I think most of you received refurbished devices.
    2. MS officially doesn't accept that your devices are buzzing. They will try to exchange it until you will tire (I was lucky and I could get a refund). That's why you don't see the MS answer here. Probably in the Surface Laptop 4, they will use another processor.
    3. You will never get this fixed. It is a hardware 'feature' - when the processor goes to the IDLE mode - it buzzing. You can give some work to it or do a register trick (I wrote about it before).

    If you need more information about this case or some regedit keys - feel free to contact me.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-12-30T09:21:36+00:00

    Hi guys, 

    I've got my Surface laptop 3 replaced three times and seemed to me that this last one was successful as customer support confirmed me that new batch of laptop where produced in July 2020 without this issue.

    Unfortunately yesterday the buzzing sound came again. 

    It seems very clear to me that Microsoft will not address this issue because they do not know how to fix it as it is a design and engineering issue, which says a lot about their testing procedures before lunching a product on the market. 

    I just hope that when the Surface Laptop 4 will be lunched they will give a free replacement to all of us SL3 owners without paying any difference. This would be personally the only way to keep me as customer, otherwise i'll gladly buy other brands next time. 

    P.S.

    I haven't tried to install the Nexus toolbar as you suggested, i might give it a go, eventhough it is not the best solution.

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