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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

375 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2020-11-25T12:47:37+00:00

    I would like to announce that with the latest update (November) in the Operating System that all concerns seems to have been resolved with my many Surface products .... Hope it stays this way ........

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2020-11-14T20:15:14+00:00

    I've tried changing the battery modes and no change in buzzing unfortunately...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2020-11-14T20:13:47+00:00

    Hey! Thanks for your post! I was concerned this buzzing sound was a defect and would cause the machine to slow down or something will break down - I bought this device 1 month ago and have just noticed the buzzing. I immediately noticed the charging block on the AC chord buzzes when plugged in but the laptop itself only recently started buzzing. 

    It's concerning that MS isn't providing any support on the matter. I absolutely love this device (i7 Sandstone) and I would like to have it last longer than just a year! It was between this and a Mac and if MS isn't up to snuff in supporting their customers then maybe Macs are the better bet... *cue world crashing down on me as a devoted Windows user* haha

    Is your SL3 still working well? Have you noticed any significant drops in speed?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2020-11-11T10:24:17+00:00

    You need to activate the low power mode on the battery icon all the time if you are just browsing or writing. Otherwise the fan will come on when its charging or when the performance goes up a bit. I have it in low power mode whenever it´s not docked.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2020-10-27T19:35:41+00:00

    Not mine. It has a dull roar mist if the time. I cany zoom on it. I have to turn it off when i zoom on a nearby comouter because it os so loud. Very disturbing that Microsoft takes no reaponsibility

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments