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
    2020-04-22T06:25:05+00:00

    I have the same issue.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-04-15T22:27:40+00:00

    Same problem from Italy.

    MS Laptop 13 i5

    MS assistance suggests me to return my laptop.

    Here we have 2 years warranty so i think i'll wait

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-04-03T09:22:07+00:00

    I looked at a few of your posts. 

    As a student i paid so much for this laptop and its doing the same for me as well. The program i am in required the expensive one too 

    i7 512gb and 16gig ram 

    Its making the electric buzzing noise and everytime i plug it in no matter what program or No programs are open at all when its on charge it feels like my laptop is going to go on fire. I get scared and put it on a cold part of my my desk. This shouldn't be the case for a $3000.00 laptop.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-03-31T22:45:54+00:00

    I'll update again - general answers to everyone here. 

    Highly doubt the problem goes away with replacements. Its been tried by multiple people including me (doesn't matter the config: i5, i7, 8GB Ram, 16GB ram) all have the same issue. 

    Also, there is a strong possibility that Microsoft may have not done a good job in "charging" department - 85% of cases are when they are connected to docks, chargers, etc, (I tried multiple chargers, multiple docks - dell and Microsoft docks, etc) Try this: use an external screen, or multiple screens - use moderate load apps/games - Do not charge or connect to dock - Are you still buzzing and electricity static noise? (you you keep your ear close to the back of power button) - If not, its charging issue - My current battery life is only giving me 3 to 4 hours tops. I have cooked it enough to a point battery is already giving up, and who uses laptops without charging all the time? to me its not a workaround - or a fix. I also strongly believe this cannot be fixed by an update (there are ways to fix this may be using a software patch - that is when Microsoft pays attention) 

    The one thing interesting, I haven't tried is MacBook charger as - again not a workaround, we expect quality with premium prices. 

    Microsoft insists no one approached them with this problem- or they haven't heard of this issue? "well there are 14 pages here which suggest otherwise 

    If anyone is keen to know the temperatures and more hardware details of your laptop - I'd suggest installing a small piece of software: "HWiNFO64" you can monitor live temperatures, RAM, CPU usage in good detail. 

    I am yet to go to Microsoft store for them to test it - I may have to leave it with them for a week or so... With this Carona (COVID-19) situation in Sydney. it's not worth it for me as I'm still using this laptop pretty heavily for work. 

    Stay safe people.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-03-31T22:05:30+00:00

    Thank you so much for your detailed reply!

    Do you think there is a large chance the replacement would have the same issue? Meaning that 100% of Surface Laptops 3 may have this issue by default or perhaps there are units that are ‘okay’?

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