Surface Pro 4, annoying noise from the back!

The two SP4 m3 in my household do present this "singing crickets" noise. They were bought a month apart and thus likely from the same hardware (chassis) revision. In both cases, the sound is obviously modulated by processor activity and has nothing to do with screen intensity.

You may be facing an issue different from mine.

But in my case, it's clear there's nothing that can be done without a replacement.

And the issue is so minor I would never take the chance of getting a tablet worse than the one I have.

Hoping your issue gets resolved to your satisfaction.

Replacing the device won't change anything.

This is a CPU/Chipset issue and likely related to the dynamic power state/clock speed variations.

Anythnig running in the background will generated this "singing crickets" noise even if you stare at your screen. A lot of people won't hear it because their environment is too noisy but a quiet room easily reveals it. The SP4 with the m3, being totally silent, may appear more affected by this curiosity.

Unless Microsoft changes the way the SP4 is built, it won't change. Either you get over it or get a refund and buy something else.

It's not just "Either you get over it or get a refund and buy something else."   You forgot a third option: Work with Microsoft to see if we can find a solution and make it better.  The Surface is an amazing device, and I would like to help make it better and work out it's wrinkles.  I have yet to find another device that does what the Surface does as well as the Surface does it.

As I've said before, the "high-pitched ear-ringing tinnitus mosquito noise" problem I have identified is completely unrelated to background processes.  The only thing I have identified that affects it is the brightness setting.  The problem has been there on first boot-up of every new Surface Pro 4 replacement I've had, and it has been there on every floor model I have observed (minus one, though I was in a noisy room).  I have not observed this problem on a Surface Pro 3.

Anyhow, I agree that it is likely a CPU/Chipset issue.  A tech support rep told me that engineers told her the issue has been identified and addressed in recent production lots.  Based on this information, I did not return my device before the return date.  However, when I went in for a replacement with a newer production lot, the problem was still there.  This was unfortunate, since I was told it would be fixed, and I spent a LOT of time and fuel on getting the replacement.  But I still think the problem can be fixed, and I hope to help.

Hello Heinz57Sriracha,

The idea behind rebuilding the index was that if the native processes are causing disruptions on the system and how it will react with CPU.

You could try recovery but I think the best would be to either contact Surface Support for an exchange or returning the device back to the shop.

Best Regards

Hello Heinz57Sriracha,

Have you by any chance tried to rebuild the index on the Surface Pro 4?

• Open Control Panel
• Choose Indexing options
• Choose Advanced -> Rebuild

There have been other Surface models that have been resolved with this step.

Best Regards

I performed the operation as you mentioned, but this did not fix the problem.  I still hear the high-pitched whine.  Could you direct me to the thread that involves this technique?  I'd like to see how they describe their problem.  I am not sure how the indexing could be related to a high-pitched tinnitus sound that is affected by the brightness setting, but I'll take whatever ideas I can get!  :-D

Hello Heinz57Sriracha,

Have you by any chance tried to rebuild the index on the Surface Pro 4?

• Open Control Panel
• Choose Indexing options
• Choose Advanced -> Rebuild

There have been other Surface models that have been resolved with this step.

Best Regards