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
    2019-10-24T21:56:07+00:00

    Hello keegzzz,

    Thank you for reaching out Microsoft Community. May we know if this is happening if the PSU is plugged in and when Surface is on Battery?

    Please keep us posted.

    Regards,

    KarenJune_F

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2019-10-24T22:30:27+00:00

    It happens both when plugged in and unplugged.

    6 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2019-10-27T09:48:43+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.

    I have the same problem. I got the SL3 i7 16GB 13.5 inch.

    I found it's always there when the CPU is mostly idle. When it's under some load it goes away.

    For example when i open Android Studio or launching Chrome.

    I don't know what to do. Returning it or not. Your replacement does this too, so I'm undecided.

    16 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2019-10-27T16:02:46+00:00

    Originally I thought it happened mostly when it was idle too, but the employee told me he could make it happen more when running it higher.

    Hopefully Microsoft addresses this in the coming days. At least their return policy is good.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2019-10-29T23:24:10+00:00

    Hi keegzzz,

    Thanks for you response on this. We have tried to escalate this concern. They advice if we  can try to change the Power slider of the Battery to "Best Performance". You can do it by going to your Task bar > Battery.

    Let us know if that helps. Looking forward on your response.

    Regards,

    Edd

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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