Surface Pro 3 - Excessively loud fan, constant overheating during idle and light tasks (now on my second, third, fourth Surface Pro 3 i7)

Yea, there's definitely a problem. I'm on my second third fourth Surface Pro 3 after replacing what I suspected to be a defective unit and this one is exhibiting the same issues as the one returned. Not very happy at the moment as you can guess. I'm assuming that, with a working unit, you're not supposed to even hear the fan under normal usage.

Right out of the box, before & after all updates and firmware are installed: the back of the unit becomes uncomfortably hot and its fan spins very loudly on idle and while performing minor tasks such as web browsing (even sites without flash or heavy ad use).

I was surprised to hear it the first time, as it sounds like white noise coming from the right speaker. Even under its idle state, my Surface Pro 3 is currently the loudest thing in my office (and that's including my PC running 3 video cards SLI). At its peak (IE: high octane tasks like browsing slashdot.com and reading OneNote entries), the fan noise is ear-piercing and the heat produced is immensely hot. I mean, it's not something you'd want to hold, immense.

Here are some other notes:

• Surface Pro 3 i7 512MB
• My Order/replacement sources:
  • SP3 #1: Pre-ordered on MicrosoftStore.com- Lot No/Date: 1429
  • SP3 #2: Replacement from the Boca Raton Microsoft Store on 8/2 - Lot No/Date: 1428
  • SP3 #3: Replacement from the Aventura Mall Microsoft Store on 8/4 - Lot No/Date: 1429
  • SP3 #4: Advance replacement directly from Surface support on 8/7 - Lot No/Date: 1430 ( See 8/16 update below )
• Occurrence examples:
  • Instantly after resuming from stand-by via pen double-tap.
  • Browsing "light-weight" sites like answers.microsoft.com
  • Watching a Youtube video.
  • Shutting down & rebooting the machine.
• The highest I've seen the CPU was around 34%, mainly due to One Drive Sync process.
• Screen brightness set to about 30%
• My office room temperature is about 73º F
• Doesn't matter if keyboard is attached or not. No case used.
• Doesn't matter if plugged in (surge protector or not).
• CPU and graphic temperatures after 5 minutes
• Fan whilst idle (video)

After dropping over $2k on a product, this isn't what I expect to see after 3 minutes of light web browsing:

8/20 - Temp warnings continue...

Got the temperature warning for the first time with my fourth unit. This time while applying the 8/19/2014 firmware update. A reboot during a firmware flash doesn't seem like a safe thing for a device to do. :(

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8/16 - Yeah...

Just powered up Sudoku. Played it for a bit and left it running

• After about 2 mins, the fan is at a volume of what I'd describe low and it's warm but not uncomfortably so.
• After about 5 mins, the fan is definitely louder and while it's considerably less noisier than my first unit (which to me, was like a very high-pitch whistle), it's hot to the point where I wouldn't want to hold on to it for very long.

This unit has not given me the temperature warning as yet, but I have to admit that it's still quite discouraging to hear the fan kick in with game as light as Sudoku. Especially since my previous Surface Pro 2 and Yoga laptop, which this SP3 should be replacing, runs much cooler and quieter. 

I really want this thing to work like a tablet when doing tablet tasks, and if the fan kicks in once and awhile for doing heavy laptop tasks like 3D gaming or video encoding then I wouldn't mind much. But I've gone through four Surface Pro 3's and it leaves me to wonder why they get as hot as they do when doing something unsubstantial like web surfing while an iPad can run much heavier duty 3D gaming and not feel like you're baking chocolate chip lava cookies on metal sheet you're holding with your bare hands.

I'm waiting on MS's public response to these issues, but honestly I can't help but feel a bit duped. Don't get me wrong, I'm in love with the aesthetics, speed and weight of the SP3, but  what happened to the device Panos Panay was talking about (video)? What happened to not even noticing there's a fan? Why do people have to resort to using alternative cooling methods to get laptop performance out of a device marketed to replace them (video)?

I hope something can be done. And I hope that that something isn't waiting for the Surface Pro 4.

8/9 - Fourth one's the charm? Cautiously optimistic...

So I received my advance replacement directly from Surface support. While the fan did come on at a somewhat reasonable volume, I was able to do a full update (37 of them initially) including firmware, install Visual Studio 2013, and Office 2013 without the unit overheating and displaying the temp warning. One thing I noticed is that, while the unit was plugged in, the fan stayed on throughout the entire update/firmware process. The fan hasn't gotten as loud as my last few units.

Unfortunately, the advance shipment didn't come in the original packaging so I don't know its batch/lot number.  Lot number is 1430 (located on the outside of the return box) But I'm going to do some further testing between the two that I have to see if there are any obvious differences before sending the 3rd one back.

I was also given word that the Surface team is currently investigating the issue, so keep your fingers crossed.

8/6 - So far, it seems we have the following scenarios:

• There is a manufacturing issue with these particular batches due to a bad CPU yield, heat-sink, or fan. (need more info to validate)
• There could be a software/firmware issue causing the temps to rise and thus the fans to run blast even during idle/light processes. Although, I'm less certain this is the case, the low CPU usage and high temps seem to suggest otherwise.
• This could be tied to disk activity. I don't think it's the SSD hardware, given its placement being in the lower left quadrant of the device.  However, this would also explain the low CPU usage and high temps given in the many cases where software is being installing, there is background indexing, or updates are being applied.
• If some people in the same batch aren't having issues, then maybe:
  • They haven't discovered the issue because the temperature hasn't risen to the point of a nuclear reactor and/or there device hasn't given them the overheat warning.
  • Or there is a problem but they're comfortable with the heat/noise generated and the device hasn't given them an overheat warning.
  • Or they simply have a perfectly running device that never goes above 75-85C and is whisper quiet at all times during normal usage.
• If  people in different batches are having issues, then maybe:
  • The issue isn't tied to the batch/lot at all and the problem may widespread or be due to a general assembly problem (poorly set heat-sink for ex.)
  • All Surfaces manufactured so far could potentially run hot as hot as 90C (highly doubted)

But there's definitely an issue. You're only supposed to get that overheat warning (thermometer symbol) in cases due to external factors like:

• You've left the device on inside of your backpack with screen at full brightness for an extended period
• You attempt to use the device after it's been heated from direct sunlight, perhaps from being in your car, etc.
• The unlikely case that you've modified the way your device performs (overclocking, fan, etc)

In any case, I think we still need a larger sample size to discover & validate the issue and determine how widespread it is. I only expect MS to recognize there is a problem if it proves to be more common than not.

8/4- Aventura In-Store ReplacementJust got yet another replacement from the Aventura store. They only had stock from the 1429 batch, but I decided to swap it out anyway. Same issues: Gets piping hot, loud fan w/minor activity & idle. Intel stress test peaks out at 92°C. Temp icon/shutdown while applying windows updates. Going to hold off awhile before replacing. :'(

If you're lurking, taking the time to help us out by posting your model, batch #, and any notes or comments you have would be quite helpful, whether or not your device is affected.

If you're getting a replacement, save the hassle and point them to this thread to help expedite your exchange.

Users with similar issues: If you have similar issues, reply with your model & lot number (located just above your serial number on the box; starts with 14)

• Edit 8/3: Added purchase sources
• Edit 8/3: Added date/lot number for initial order
• Edit 8/4: Added user lot number table
• Edit 8/4: Added notes to table / formatting. Updated w/third SP3
• Edit 8/6: Added yes/no issues to table, more entries
• Edit 8/7: more entries, removed model numbers.
• Edit 8/8: more entries
• Edit 8/9: Added update on 4th Sp3
• Edit 8/10: more entries
• Edit 8/12: more entries
• Edit 8/14: more entries
• Edit 8/16: Update on fourth unit added. more entries
• Eidt 8/19: more entries
• Edit 8/20: Update on fourth unit :(, more entries
• Edit 8/22: more entries (not looking too good)
• Edit 12/12: ReAdded table showing users with similar heating/noise issues that was removed.