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
    2020-03-31T12:21:53+00:00

    SL3 with i7 / 16GB / 256GB bought in mid March here and I just recently noticed the buzzing as well. Now I notice it all the time, which annoys me. Looked it up in Google and found this thread.

    The list of "little problems" with this device is getting longer and longer after only a few days. First the backlight bleeding that I noticed immediately running through the Win10 setup procedure, secondly a clicking sound in the left hinge when tilting the screen past a certain point, thirdly a screen artifact where all colors on the screen are inverted for a second and then go back to normal (happens 1 or 2 times a day) and most recently the buzzing noise. I am thinking hard about returning this device.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-03-31T20:55:28+00:00

    I got my surface laptop 3 a couple of weeks ago and noticed this problem within one day of use. I have tried to update all the software to see it it that would work but it did not , the problem it is still there, and it is something that is not sustainable for the long run for a machine that should last a few years at least.

    Does Microsoft have an official answer/solution for this? It would be a pity having to return it just because of an issue that maybe can be fixed with an update.

    If not, does anyone know if this would be included as part of the warranty?

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-03-31T21:20:27+00:00

    I haven’t been able to get any answers about this, or my issues with external displays caused by this, even opening an enterprise support ticket. It was moving smoothly right up until I said this exact “buzzing” problem was happening. No response in a few days now.

    They are apparently not going to say anything about this until they have to or have a fix. Well, nothing except “run the surface diagnostics tool” :) 

    I wouldn’t count on the warranty covering anything unless you have gotten Microsoft Complete.  It seems everyone on this thread had no trouble taking it to a physical location and getting a new one though, but the replacements have the same problem.   

    So far the only option I have found through the Microsoft store has been return it for a refund or keep it.

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  4. 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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  5. 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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