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
    2019-12-30T01:24:56+00:00

    I have the same problem.  I bought 13.5 inch, 256Gb / 16Gb  i7, black. Wonder is it a hardware issue or software issue?

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-12-28T00:17:58+00:00

    Same thing here. But, as I put the laptop onto sleep mode, it makes the same buzzing sound you described. But as soon as you press any button or touch the touchpad, it makes a loud pop sound, as if there were something being crushed inside of it. Also I have been frequently noticing BSOD happening when I start up the laptop. Other than that, it is a good laptop but I want to know how to get these weird defects to stop.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-12-20T07:34:38+00:00

    same here. swapped 2 laptops. still same. I guess everytime we do anything remotely require some resources (CPU, RAM) the noise is kicking in.

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  5. Anonymous
    2019-12-20T00:26:30+00:00

    Just purchased SL3 13.5" i5 8GB 256GB 

    Fans running full speed for no damn reason. its not a laptop as its turning very warm. All updates were already done. 

    Just installed Office - nothing else on laptop

    have few browsers open, no video streaming or any intensive tasks (CPU 25%, MEM 67%) fans are full speed for almost 20 min now. 

    Technical call with Microsoft: asked me to download recovery as this may be a bad driver.

    have an older generation (one generation old) surface pro (work laptop) i run full work day with lots of apps, gives me a full 8 hours of use without needing charge. 

    I am going to test 2 to 3 more days and shall return it back. or swap for another unit. 

    >>>>>

    Replaced the laptop with another from a different store. Same issue. Noise keeps bumping up for tasks like "Outlook downloading mails" "Windows updates" or any tasks other than scrolling a website. 

    Laptop is fully updated. Office is fully updated. Not a single application installed other than default applications came with laptop. Room temperature is under 20 degrees. 

    I will still try the laptop for few more days. I do not believe this is a single laptop failure. Surprising to see not many people having this issue. Such a shame for a premium product, at-least first experience is not there. Youtube praising this laptop 'i wonder why?' 

    >>>>>>>

    26/12/2019 

    Laptop is performing good now - i haven't had the noise come back with use - laptop will still heat up  when charging- guessing its because of fast charging. Microsoft resolved the case as i asked them to.

    For you guys u still have the issue - may be keep swapping until u get the correct one

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