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
    2019-12-19T04:50:30+00:00

    Well thats the thing. I didn't find the forum first. 

    I heard and felt the buzzing first.

    Then noticed where it was coming from. Thats when i found the forum!

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  2. 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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  4. 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
    2019-12-25T16:13:37+00:00

    My second post in the forum, I've been discussing this issue with the Microsoft team for over a week now. They asked me to update my laptop and run the diagnostic test, which I did. After I sent the results (no fault in the system was the result), they simply sent the following to me: 

    "They sound that if the sound ig grinding sound that its no longer normal. If you wish to have the device replaced, they suggest to take it to the local MS Store so you can requeest for an exchange.

    If the sound is a buzzing, then our higher support teamn said it is still normal for as long as its not too loud. If you find it very unpleasant, you can alwasy take it back to the local MS Store to request for an exchange.

    For now, we will just close this case as we have already provided you all the information. Thank you so much for your time."

    The following was my reply to them: 

    Hey Ian,

    I'm not sure if you are reading your very own official Microsoft forum. There are many customers who got their laptop replaced and their replacements have also had this sound. What's the point of going through the entire process if you cannot guarantee me a niggle free laptop and please don't tell me the sound is normal. This is NOT my first laptop that I have owned, this is definitely the last Microsoft laptop I am purchasing though. One of the most valuable companies in the world and your great senior team cannot figure out the root cause for the problem. PATHETIC. On top of this, you have the audacity to close my complaint without solving it. You cannot close it without me telling you I'm satisfied with your service, which I'm clearly not. 

    What Pathetic customer service, very very DISAPPOINTED IN MICROSOFT. So much for trusting Windows/Microsoft.

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