xps 13 - electrical noise

Question

I just bought a new xps 13 ubuntu (1080p + 256gb + 8gb + i7).

Unfortunately, I have to report an issue: there is a strange, loud electrical noise emanating from under the keyboard - presumably the motherboard. The noise is constant and enough to drive one mad. It worsens the more screen activity there is. Scrolling a web page will elicit a squeal, as will moving the caret when typing. To make things worse, turning down the brightness one notch will produce a constant high pitched tone (the only remedy is to work at 100% brighness!)

Do I have a defective unit?

What are my options in terms of getting it replaced? I don't want it repaired.

Has anyone experienced something similar? What did you do?

Please help. I'm so saddened by this as the machine itself looks gorgeous.

PizzaService · Accepted Answer

Hey there! Over at the Lenovo forum there is a thread that proposes a possible easy fix for the coil whine problem you describe that should work on any Intel-powered system. Here's the thread: CPU Noise - Lenovo Community

What you have to do is basically add a registry entry as described in the "workaround" section of this Microsoft knowledgebase article: Stop error message on a Windows Server 2008 R2-based computer that has the Hyper-V role installed and that uses one or more Intel CPUs that are code-named Nehalem: "0x00000101 - CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT" (an article on an otherwise unrelated matter, so don't follow any of the steps listed there!) So it is absolutely reversible and should be risk-free. What it does is disable the use of some of the power-saving states of the CPU. So in theory, there could be a minor decrease in battery life, although users who applied it already haven't noted any difference.

Would you be willing to try this on your XPS 13 and report back if this maybe fixes the coil whine? It seems to have done so on a number of Lenovo Ideapad Yoga 13 machines (see first link). I would very much appreciate it!

alex-xps · Answer

An engineer replaced the motherboard.  No change.  Tried A06 and A07: no change.  Finally, dell sent a replacement laptop, which unfortunately exhibits the same issue.

Snake231088 · Answer

I have the same issue with my XPS 13 v2 (full hd, I7, 256 SSD). Any fix?

bedaat · Answer

I have the same issue on my XPS 13 (full hd, I7, 256 SSD) too.

Snake231088 · Answer

I just upgrade my BIOS to A08, but the noise continue. I have L322X.

Kriton · Answer

Dear all, I received my Ultrabook XPS13 Full-HD with Core i5 in February. Same issue als you all encountered.

wihinning electrical noice
change in screen brightness just modifies noise but does not stop it

My experience so far:

called support right one day after delivery, at first they tried to talk me down
did not give up, but could not return it; law in Germany does not provide the option if you bought it for business
got in contact with support for about three weeks, they wanted to investigate
asked for upgrade or different modell, even if I had to pay a markup - no chance at all
at last they agreed to change the motherboard - guess what: DID NOT HELP

Summary:

As the XPS13 is using Intel Core i CPUs with internal HD4000 graphics I suppose it is the combination of the CPU with the integrated graphics and the layout of the motherboard that causes the electrical whining (interferences and high frequency waves). And yes it may be connected to the different CPU C-states - but all that does not help. The BIOS does not allow for disabling C4-state, and if it did - why buying Ultrabooks if battery life is drained by design flaws?

For me this kind of artefact (XPS13) is totally useless because it's noise driving me crazy when doing my research work.

I put the ultrabook back in its packaging. I could not even sell it in ebay, because if you tell people that it's making noice they reasonably don't want to buy it. At least, I am honest - Dell's support on the other hand calls this a technical specification. Sorry, this is a no-go.

I bought this Ultrabook for more than 1.000 EUR and hoped to get a companion I could run all day (you all know the ads): rapid starts, smart connect, etc.

I am very disappointed; I cannot use it and I spent a lot of time looking for fixes apart from the money. Let's face the truth: THERE ISN'T ANY FIX and Dell will stick to the fact that the machine is running within specifications and the diagnosis programm will state them true.

What to do: I gave up. Best thing you can make out of it: tell all the other people what they might get. At least they will be warned about this issue (or feature). Dell is not interested in solving this annoying issue, as the German support did not contact me after changing the motherboard even though I told them the problem in general is not solved.

Thanks to all the people making this public. I already thought I was the only one with bad luck.

sergiorus · Answer

I have the same problem with my Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition. The same noise when the brightness is not at 100%. Also, I hear another noise when scrolling in Sublime Text editor. It sounds different and doesn't depend on the brightness, so I think it's related to the SSD disk.

alex-xps · Answer

Every time I mention the noise to someone, they reply, oh it's just the fan.   Let me make  this very clear.   The noise is not coming from the fan, which for the most part is quiet.  The scrolling noise sounds like a mechanical hdd when rapidly seeking.

alex-xps · Answer

I've learnt to live with 100% brightness (and the worsened battery life).  More annoying is this other noise that occurs, as you say, when scrolling, e.g. in sublime text.  This noise is lessened when working off the battery and I think perhaps it was to do with the integrated graphics, rather than the ssd.  Sublime, afaik, renders to an offscreen bitmap in a similar way a web browser would does.  Regardless of the source, the noise is unbearable and makes using this laptop quite unpleasant.  It would be interesting if someone could try replacing the msata ssd to see if it makes a difference.

cvielma · Answer

Same problem here with XPS 13 developer edition. No noise with brightness but annoying noise when scrolling (no matter if the scrolling is with the touchpad or an external mouse, or clicking on the scrolling bar). My guess is a problem/design decision with the video card...

veaviticus · Answer

Its the CPU. I had my laptop taken apart, and when there's nothing in the way, you can easily hear the noise coming directly from the CPU.

Its a known issue with i5 and i7 processors when they enter their deep sleep states.

I had the entire motherboard replaced by dell, and it didn't fix the issue. I assume its an issue with a large percentage of intel processors

mrickar5 · Answer

I have the new Dell XPS 15 9530 (Haswell) and this has completely fixed my incredibly coil whine.  You sir, are a god.

cz111 · Answer

What did you do to fix it? I tried the Registry hotfix on my 9530 in admin cmd and rebooted, still get coil whine...

Utini · Answer

Same problem here on my XPS 15 9530 (top configuration built). No coil whine on battery But there is a coil whine when charging (I believe when the battery is at 100%).

rushmpeg · Answer

Hi all,

Exact same problem here with the coil noise (electrical noise), I have a XPS 9530 platinum and I get the coil noise CPU related when it's plugged with the charger.

The noise is not that bad too me, I only notice it when I'm in a calm environment and when the CPU is challenged, it's like an hard drive seeking noise (that loud).

At work the ambient noise covers it, plus I have ear buds 90% of the time, I'm rather lucky for that.

Though if Dell manages to make a fix I want it, apart from the coil noise the laptop is absolutely noiseless most of the time (no fan noise).

D.

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xps 13 - electrical noise

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