XPS 13 Making High-Pitched Noises

Question

I just purchased the Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook and I hear a lot of high-pitched noises coming from the keyboard, i think from the right side, but hard to tell. It is really noticable in a quite room, and isn't a solid tone, it has a super short pause in it every second or so, but overall very consistant. It isn't the fan, and when I use Fn F2 to disable wireless/bluetooth it gets a little quiter, and seems a little more constant in the tone. It also isn't the lighted keyboard, it still does it with that off. It also does it when using A/C or battery.

So it might be a combination of the harddrive and wireless and bluetooth, or maybe some other circuits, but it is very annoying. I've seem some others post online about this as well, and am hoping Dell has a way to correct this somehow, but I don't have a lot of hope that a software or firmware update can fix this.

Are others hearing this too? I know some people are more sensitive to these types of noices, but if you put your ear to the keyboard in a quite room, you will hear it. I can hear it when I am sitting up typing at the keyboard, I just put my ear to the keyboard to better tell where it is coming from to describe it.

Any ideas Dell? Thanks

DELL-Terry B · Answer

The system may make some noise. I can't really say if what you are hearing is the basic noise the system makes or something abnormal.

I suggest making sure that the BIOS is updated, A04 is the latest version and may be downloaded from the following link

www.dell.com/.../DriverFileFormats

You can also try running diagnostics just to make sure that no hardware is defective, just start the notebook while tapping F12 and choose diagnostics. Please reply back here with the results and up updating the BIOS to A04 helped at all.

TB

SMSKhyron · Answer

I do already have the A04 bios installed as I heard that helped with fan noise, even though these noises are not coming from the fan. Diags checked out fine, no errors. Noises are still there.  thanks

DELL-Terry B · Answer

I know you have mentioned that you still hear the noise on battery only but I am curious what adapter shipped with your notebook.  Please reply back with the part number on the AC adapter. TB

SMSKhyron · Answer

You are correct, the noises still occur when on battery.  The AC adapter part number is 3RG0T, 45W-AC Adapter.  PA-1450-66D1

DELL-Terry B · Answer

A large part of the system is solid state so other than the fan I am not sure what could be causing the sound. Since the problem occurs with battery and ac adapter, the problem isn't likely caused by the AC adapter. Did you notice if the system was making the noise while running diagnostics, if you boot to safemode, do you notice the sound? To boot to safemode start the system while tapping F8 and choose safemode. Log into windows and check if the system continues to make noise.

Please shoot me a private message with your name and the service tag of the notebook. Just click on the link in my signature.

Thank You

TB

SMSKhyron · Answer

Oh, I did forget to mention that I am not the only one hearing these noises. I guess some of us are more prone to hear these types of noises than others.

reviews.dell.com/.../profile.htm

ukm.usablenet.com/.../20100205.aspx

Thanks again, hopefully Dell can resolve this in the next Ultrabook.

SMSKhyron · Answer

Hi Terry, I shot you a private message with the info you requested.

I did not get the opportunity to test it in safemode last night, but here is are all of the scenarios:

Each scenario the noises are a little different sounding and at different volumes. I assume that different componets each make the different sounds, and some are in use at certain times and others are not.

When PC is off, but the battery is charging

When PC is in sleep mode and the LED on the front is flashing (sound doesn't come from the LED, but from under the keyboard, on and off at the same rate the LED turns on and off.

When PC is in Rapid Start Hibernation mode

When I turn off wireless/bluetooth, I don't hear much of a difference

It is not the fan, I can hear when that comes on, sounds completely different

When the PC is on but idle

When running on battery and not AC

When running on AC and the battery isn't charging.

Pretty much all the time, just different volumes and tones. My guess is that is just they way the laptop was designed, and there just isn't enough insulation between the circuits and the keyboard.

Anyway, thanks for the help, however I plan to return the XPS 13. There are just too many little issues that add up, and I plan to see what the next Dell Ultrabook looks like. I really like the formfactor, size, weight, screen, and keyboard, but the flaky touchpad, all the electronic noise and hums and buzzes, and the fact that the Rapid Start doesn't work and drains the battery in hours, it is just too many little issues to justify keeping the ultrabook.

Flaky Touchpad - en.community.dell.com/.../20113010.aspx

Electonic Noises - en.community.dell.com/.../20113837.aspx

Noises During Sleep Mode - en.community.dell.com/.../19451086.aspx

Rapid Start Hibernation issues - en.community.dell.com/.../20113836.aspx

DELL-Terry B · Answer

I have responded to your private mesasge.  I appreciate all of your updates. TB

harp1902 · Answer

It is the SSD - some people hear them squeaking, others don't as the noise is too high-pitched for them.

SMSKhyron · Answer

Thanks for the info, I'll bet that definately contributes to it.  It is loudest when it is on, but it also makes noise when turned off and charging the battery, and when in sleep mode as the power LED blinks.  So I'm sure it is the SSD, plus several other components all adding up.  Hopefully Dell can either fix, or shield them better in future models.

sulo · Answer

Hi,

I also have issues with high pitch noise. BIOS A04 (already delivered from supplier with A04) :( I am not happy to return it, but the noise is permanent (both on and off charger). Bought in CZ.

Any news?

P.S.Touchapad with latest drivers also misbehaves - freezing, and USB 3.0 falling asleep (disconnecting randomly external mouse)...

septhird · Answer

I have same problem with this xps 13 inch. I updated all drivers + bios. This is my first dell laptop after several other brands, and this high pitched whining sound is really annoying especially at night in a quiet room.

Any solution yet? I don't understand why Dell could not solve this problem yet. I am pretty sure they already have tested and recognized this problem. I guess they might just release this immature product as early as possible to compete with others.

Even if this problem is solved, I will never buy Dell in my life again.

Xuans · Answer

I also have the same problem with high pitch whining sound. bios already update to a06 version. have any solution now???  XPS13 L322X

Gustavo Santos · Answer

Same problem here, I think the noise  coming from display. I have the L321X model. I will call support on monday! My warranty is about to expire and I can´t handle that noise anymore on quiet rooms.

Terense · Answer

My clients laptop is having the same issue. Has there been a solution from Dell? Thanks

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XPS 13 Making High-Pitched Noises

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