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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.
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.
I am also having the same issue and it is driving me insane, I already have tinnitus to deal with!
I did notice that for a brief second the buzzing goes as you remove the power cable, then returns. That surely means it is power related, either battery or PSU?
Either way, this needs to be fixed.
This is a Microsoft forum, right? So why isn't anyone from Microsoft addressing this issue?
My machine is louder and louder, whether it is computing or not. It also overheats. I cannot use it to Zoom because no one can hear over the roar.
What a sad situation that Microsoft takes no responsibility for the hundreds of machines they sold with the loud buzzing. They obviously are not concerned about their reputation for dependability. I guess our only option is to unload this machine and switch to a different brand.
Same as the other almost 200 people on this thread alone. 15 inch i716GB RAM.
Had the first once "serviced", which they just replaced. The second one's buzzing is louder than the first one. Sounds like constant TV static.
It's hard to tell when people are overexaggerating online but I am not. I use an external monitor, and the laptop is 6 feet away from me at least. I live off a busy road and get a lot of traffic noise but I can still hear this constant TV static sound clearly from across the room. Using the laptop without any accessories, right in front of me, sounds like a cicada. At least with the first device I had the buzzing seemed to wane a bit. This second device, the buzzing is constant.
Even though they replaced it (which didn't resolve the issue), there was no communication from Microsoft acknowledging the issue I described or affirming the replacement wouldn't have the same issue (which is does).
I'm going to try again as my $2,000 is worth more than this. I was an Apple user before this. Microsoft has closed, or is closing, all its physical stores and all customer support is automated so there's no hope in talking to an actual person. I want this to work out so badly with Microsoft but thus far it has been a disappointing experience.
EDIT: Did get in contact with a real person, eventually. It's not easy but it's possible. TBD on the overall issue though.
EDIT2: Third unit (second replacement) same issue right out of box. I think they're just cycling out the same units with the same issues, running out the clock until the limited warranty expires and they no longer have to deal with us. I'm not going away though. Going to keep trying.
EDIT3: Jumped through many, many hoops of system settings, updates, and frankly insulting obvious assumptions for... nothing to work. Had a back and fourth exchange with a nice support rep for awhile. Even sent them multiple videos so they could hear the noise. Nothing has worked and I don't think anything ever will. This is a manufacturer defect that the manufacturer, Microsoft, refuses to address. I've had it. Once Apple comes out with their Arm processor devices, I'll be unloading this junk Surface and switching back to mac. When it comes time to upgrade my team, I'll give them a choice of macOS or Linux.
Sadly, buyer beware. Beware Microsoft.
This buzzing has definitely got worse since using my laptop more for Zoom calls, Netflix and Spotify etc all the time. Very worrying that we've had zero response from Microsoft.
Hi!
I just wanted to chime in and say that I had the same problem with my i5/8gig/128gb that I bought just before Christmas. I used it for about a week and had faint/more pronounced buzzing/whine coming from mostly around the F12 button and that area. It was not superloud but for my use case (at the evenings when the children are asleep and I want to do some coding/photo sorting) it was deal breaker. Could only focus on that noise....
Returned it today to where I bought it from(not a Microsoft store) and the person thankfully was extremely helpful and took it back. He was uncertain that Microsoft would take it as a warranty issue so I guess the store in this case will take the hit :( I was offered a replacement but I feel that there might very well be the same problem with a new device, and that would only affect me and also this store with more opened boxes and I did not want to do this when he was so kind in the first place.
Really, really sad to have to return it because I really loved the device in all other aspects. Now I'm completely lost on what to buy instead.....
