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
    2020-12-30T11:30:53+00:00

    If your laptop came within a grey box without any Microsoft surface laptop 3 image printed on top or microsoft logo, then yes, it was refurbished. 

    Same happened to me. 

    @Lukianets Dmytro

    I'll try with the Nexus dock and see how it goes, otherwise the refund seems the last option to me.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-12-30T12:54:00+00:00

    Hi Paolo1993**,**

    I think it's a really ugly solution.

    Just think - you will install some application that will drain your battery, take your CPU resources just to remove this buzzing sound.

    As I know this dock application already fixed this performance issue and now your processor can go to the IDLE mode. Remember - without this IDLE mode your battery will go much faster. 

    So, if you can't leave with this buzzing sound - send this device back.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-12-30T13:07:51+00:00

    @Lukianets Dmytro

    Sure things mate, but this is the third time that I'm using the replacement serivice. I'm done with backup stuff and all the rest. 

    Best thing would be to get money back, but as you know microsoft is so reluctant in doing so. 

    I might give it a go beginning of next year when hopefully everyone is supposed to be nicer :)

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-12-30T14:11:33+00:00

    I’ve contacted Microsoft and they confirmed that if you want a replacement you will receive a “new” refurbished device. Its not fair when you have paid for a new device. 

    Any better way to go to IDLE mode than NeXus?

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-12-30T14:23:03+00:00

    the nexus dock seems to be working with everyone, but not me. i downloaded it and the noise is still going.

    and now, i have other issues on top of the buzzing noise.

    • black screen randomly comes up. 
    • video / audio is not in shnc, there is an audio delay.
    • my cursor keeps freezing
    • the speaker makes a static noise when the volume is significant.

    the amount of problems for a laptop that is over $1,500 is insane. The only reason I am not refunding is because it works and I just don't know if any other windows laptop will be better.

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