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
    2020-03-08T00:29:30+00:00

    This buzzing sound is probably caused by idle states of processor. Here's a way to resolve this problem but I can't guarantee.

    1. In your search bar search for cmd and open it as admin.
    2. copy and paste the following command:

    reg add HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Processor /v Capabilities /t REG_DWORD /d 0x0007e066

    1. This command will disable processor idle states. Run it then reboot laptop.

    However, processor working without idle states will decrease battery life and turn on fans a lot. This solution is a trade-off. Better backing up your laptop before messing with registry.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-02-10T21:27:34+00:00

    mine's gotten way worse recently, perhaps after the firmware update. really aggressive buzzing and squeaking, easily audible from normal distance from the laptop. 

    have you guys tried putting your ears against the underside of the laptop? jesus Christ, it sounds like it's going to break any second.

    i had just stopped worrying about this, and now all of a sudden it starts to make these unprecedented noises. i'll try to use my warranty. as long as i get a unit that doesn't sound like a **** lawnmower, i'll be ok with it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-02-07T15:10:33+00:00

    I have the same issue, I do use my laptop intensively and it is like fans is accelerating a lot, mostly when I do use Edge Chromium with several windows it's blowing a lot. It's a little annoying to have this issue on this premium SL3 13,5 256gb 8gbs. laptop.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-02-07T14:27:26+00:00

    I just wanted to add to the chorus. I have a 13" surface laptop 3 and I have the same faint buzzing sound in the same location.

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