Surface Pro 4, annoying noise from the back!

Hello GiovanniSm

When did this start happening?

Can you confirm that Surface is fully up to date?  Did all updates install successfully?

Do you notice this happening under other circumstances, beyond dimmed screen?

Best regards 

Also, here's a summary of what I've observed so far:

• My Surface Pro 4 i5 4GB/128GB emits a faint high-pitched noise/whine.  The noise is very similar to the sound of ringing in the ears after hearing a loud sound.  It can be most clearly heard along the top edge of the tablet next to the camera sensors, but also on the top right edge and bottom right edge.  This whine cannot be easily noticed when there are ambient sounds; however, it is very disturbing when I'm studying in a library or quiet room.
• The noise is affected by the brightness level:
  • It is most quiet at 0% and 100% brightness.
  • It is progressively louder from 25% to 75% brightness.
• The registry hack mentioned earlier in this thread did not affect the noise (unless I performed it incorrectly - I received a command prompt error message when deleting the setting that said the setting was not there, even though I added it w/ admin privileges).
• I have been able to rule out the following causes:
  • The CPU fan
  • The audio speakers
  • The sound is not the ringing in my own ears - I can control the level by changing the screen brightness
• The sound was not present on my Surface Pro 3
• I have heard the sound on multiple units:
  • The sound was present on my Surface Pro 4 as soon as I turned it on for the first time, and remained even after I installed all available updates.
  • I recently received two replacement units, and it was present on both units immediately after booting them up, and remained after installing all updates.
  • I have since checked other SP4 i5 units at the Microsoft Store and Best Buy, and I can hear the sound on all of them.
• Other people have confirmed they also can hear the high-pitched sound:
  • People I know and one technician at the Microsoft Store said they could hear the sound.
  • SP4 owners on various forums have confirmed that they can also hear the sound.  These include owners of my version (i5 4GB/128GB), as well as m3 versions. For example:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/3s19nu/very\_high\_pitched\_noise\_coming\_from\_sp4/ - I have a recording of the sound if anyone wants to hear it

Will Microsoft release a software/firmware update that addresses this issue?  If so, when?

I've had my Surface Pro 4 for a couple of weeks and recently started noticing a screeching sound from the back of the device, more obvious from the top of the vents. It's a bit like a very high pitch modem noise. It's not hugely loud but quite noticeable in a quiet environment.

It's not due to wireless or Bluetooth as it continues when in flight mode. Neither is it affected by muting/unmuting the speakers. It's not affected by screen brightness either. It doesn't do it all the time but seems to now be more often than not and I can't be sure whether it's always been like it. When I drag the pen on the screen the noise is partially changed to a white noise sound but the modem-like noise is still there.

Has anyone else noticed this, or could my device be faulty? It's starting to be quite irritating. My wife's Surface 3 also makes a white noise sound when a pen is in dragged on the the screen but doesn't make a screeching noise.

I tried to rule out the audio/speakers in a few different ways - disabling the audio device in device manager, uninstalling the audio device in device manager, plugging in headphones, etc.  Unfortunately, the sound still is coming through :-(   We'll see what the Microsoft Store tech says tomorrow since I just got done replacing the device...  I really really REALLY hope that I don't end up having to just return it all together - the SP4 rocks, otherwise!

Same with my surface pro 4 128g. I thought it is a coil whine. Annoying in silent rooms. I am considering returning my device and exchange for a new one. Just don't know if this is common with everyone's surface pro.

Presumably it's PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). The screen backlight is rapidly switched on and off rather than true dimming. The electronics tend to make a screaming noise as a result unfortunately. I've noticed the keyboard backlighting is even louder. 😩