XPS 9370 Fan Noise

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@Psbz wrote:

I've got the same problem. Laptop is 10 days old. Bought it in US. Now I'm in Europe. I have used Dell website to transfer warranty. Tried contacting local Dell support but they ignore my mails.

I'm on linux with bios v1.4. I'm pretty sure this a hw problem due to rattling sound the cooler makes very loud randomly even when not under high load.

So please Dell, how to solve this?

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@Psbz i'll drop you a private message so I can get your tag details and advise further.

Alan

Thank you for replying, Alan.

Loudness, high temperatures, high RPM. I don't think it's mechanically failing.

I called Dell's support and gave them the temperature and RPM values. They didn't like them and so offered a refund (as it already was a replacement unit).

The question is: what do I do now?

Dell XPS 13 9370 was my first choice, and if I knew the next unit would be good, I'd be happy with a replacement. But what are the chances it actually turns up good? I live in Israel, which is a relatively small market, so it sounds likely a third unit will come from the same batch as the previous two. Is there anything you can do about that?

Thanks!

So recently I got the 9370 and noticed the fan loved to keep running even when I did light tasks.

I was able to pretty much eliminate the fan noise in light day to day usage for the most part and I thought I'd share it with everyone.

1. Get latest drivers/bios updates first.

2. Set Dell Command | Power Manager-> Thermal Management -> Quiet

3. Create a new power plan

   1. Right click the battery

   2. Click power options

   3. On the left side click "Create a Power Plan"

   4. Give it some name

   5. Click Create

   6. Click "Change plan settings" for the new plan

   7. Click "Change advanced power settings"

   8. Click the "+" next to "Processor Power Management" (if you don't have this options read on for Enabling it)

   9. Click the "+" next to "Maximum Processor State"

   10. Set on battery and plugged in to something like 80%

   11. Done!

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1. Enabling Power Management Options for Max Processor State(Only if you are missing the options above)

   1. You can see how to do that here - https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/107967-add-remove-maximum-processor-state-power-options-windows.html

   2. I suggest to use the registry file Option 2

   3. Continue with creating the new power plan.

While on the new power plan the fans should not kick in as often especially during light workloads.

FYI: Any setting under 100% disables Intel's Turbo boost. Swap power plans if you want more processing power.

I personally haven't noticed any significant slowdown in my normal day to day tasks when using the new power plan.

When playing a game, I swap back to the balanced plan which has the setting at 100% allowing for Intel's turbo boost. The fan noise and everything will be back to normal on 100%. If you want the most power with least fan noise, maybe you can set it to 99%. Play around with the setting. It also should help with battery life a little bit as well.

Other than that it seems to have helped with the little coil whine I had.

Still think the fan handling can be improved in this machine without resorting to this.

Great laptop otherwise.

I also purchased XPS 9370 laptop and facing this "unusual" fan noise which does not go away even with all suggestion provided in this forum (like bios update, power management..). This is clearly a mechanical problem that several machines (may be a entire batch) are suffering. It is not clear how a company like Dell can keep selling faulty machine when there are different quality control steps in place. Now paid a premium price to buy and  worried how to fix it. I purchased this machine in US and moved to India. The warranty it comes with it is basic (no on-site warranty). I would like to replace the fan as suggested by some dell executives. I see there is transfer of warranty option but I read in one of the forum that this can be done only if it is onsite warranty.  I request concerned person to confirm this and whether the on-site service will be provided by Dell India

Secondly, I don't wish to transfer it but instead get the Dell India to replace the fan ( I might move again).  I could unwillingly pay for the service of brand new machine provided that Dell India  (not the authorized service centers) can do the on site job in Hyderabad. I request the Dell India staff to provide a quotation for it.

I still have this problem with my XPS 9370. I used the laptop with docking station for 3 months but got tired of the incredible slow performance cause, most likely, by high temperatures. 

I got the best i7 and 16GB ram and it takes 5-10sec to open explorer (?)

Now i have switched back to my old computer and the i use the XPS only to take notes on meetings, quite the shame when you paid a premium.. 

Fyi, i have it charging beside me without ANYTHING running and the fan is working loudly. (I have the new BIOS and i have updated BIOS a few times without any difference)

I downgraded my BIOS and it seems to actually be going to sleep...or at least the fans aren't running like crazy.

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@FredrikHansson wrote:

I still have this problem with my XPS 9370. I used the laptop with docking station for 3 months but got tired of the incredible slow performance cause, most likely, by high temperatures. 

I got the best i7 and 16GB ram and it takes 5-10sec to open explorer (?)

Now i have switched back to my old computer and the i use the XPS only to take notes on meetings, quite the shame when you paid a premium.. 

Fyi, i have it charging beside me without ANYTHING running and the fan is working loudly. (I have the new BIOS and i have updated BIOS a few times without any difference)

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Hi @FredrikHansson, thanks for reaching out on the forum. From the information you have provided there appears to be 2 issues with your system general slowness and a loud fan.

The system will throttle the processor during intensive loads or once the system reaches an extremely high temperature in order to protect itself from thermal shutdown. Whilst these ultrabooks do show high temperatures during use, it shouldn't be reaching the point of throttling processor under normal everyday usage. The fan will spin perceivably louder during use and more frequently due to the thermal design of an ultrabook chassis. You mentioned that the slow performance is most likely due to high temperatures - what makes you think this?

When you say explorer, do you mean Windows or Internet explorer?
Is this issue also seen on other applications?
If you run the system in safe mode, do you encounter the same issues with opening explorer?

Have you tried changing the the performance profile to quiet mode to reduce fan noise during use?

Alan

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@OriB1980 wrote:

Thank you for replying, Alan.

Loudness, high temperatures, high RPM. I don't think it's mechanically failing.

I called Dell's support and gave them the temperature and RPM values. They didn't like them and so offered a refund (as it already was a replacement unit).

The question is: what do I do now?

Dell XPS 13 9370 was my first choice, and if I knew the next unit would be good, I'd be happy with a replacement. But what are the chances it actually turns up good? I live in Israel, which is a relatively small market, so it sounds likely a third unit will come from the same batch as the previous two. Is there anything you can do about that?

Thanks!

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@OriB1980 thanks for the confirmation. Going by your information, I agree with your suggestion that the issue isn't mechanically failing. If that is correct, the system is working as designed as an ultrabook. 

It's up to yourself whether you accept another system or a refund. As it sounds like the system is working as designed a replacement will exhibit the same symptoms. It's your choice as whether the fan performance and noise is acceptable to you.

Alan

Hi - 

I've just got a 9370 i7 and have noticed that the fan stays on when it goes to sleep and is plugged in. It does switch off eventually, but only after hours not minutes. I have it set to Quiet in the Dell Power Manager.

Is this the correct behaviour? 

Thanks :)

I have exactly the same issue.  I set the computer up and the fan noise is far too loud.  We have glass desks and the noise fills the whole office, I am amazed how something so small can be so loud.  I have packed the computer back up already but I think I need a reference number of tag to return the item?

I just got a brand new XPS 13 3970 and I've the same issue with loud and rattling noise on the fan. What do I need to do to get a new fan? I don't want to send it away for repairs. Can a new fan be sent for me to install?

I have installed all the latest updates including bios 1.5.1

Service Tag : 
Express Service code : 
Memory : 16 GB
Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8550U CPU @ 1.80GHz[Cores 4] [Logical/Core 2]
Operating System : Microsoft Windows 10 Home

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@palmtreefrb1 wrote:

I just got a brand new XPS 13 3970 and I've the same issue with loud and rattling noise on the fan. What do I need to do to get a new fan? I don't want to send it away for repairs. Can a new fan be sent for me to install?

I have installed all the latest updates including bios 1.5.1

Service Tag : 
Express Service code : 
Memory : 16 GB
@processor : Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8550U CPU @ 1.80GHz[Cores 4] [Logical/Core 2]
Operating System : Microsoft Windows 10 Home

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@palmtreefrb1 if the fan is confirmed to be mechanically failing and you are confident in replacing it yourself, I can organise a service call to have the parts sent to you. As this is a public forum your service tag details have been removed. I'll drop you a private message to get the details from you.

Alan

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@eliotlovell wrote:

Hi - 

I've just got a 9370 i7 and have noticed that the fan stays on when it goes to sleep and is plugged in. It does switch off eventually, but only after hours not minutes. I have it set to Quiet in the Dell Power Manager.

Is this the correct behaviour? 

Thanks :)

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@eliotlovell thanks for adding to the thread. If the system still has processes running in the background then the fans will still continue to spin. I am surprised to hear that this ends after hours rather than a short period of time.

How are you putting the system to sleep?
Is the system actually going to sleep or is it in a hibernate state?
Have you updated the BIOS and drivers to the latest revisions?

Alan

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@rg-butler wrote:

I have exactly the same issue.  I set the computer up and the fan noise is far too loud.  We have glass desks and the noise fills the whole office, I am amazed how something so small can be so loud.  I have packed the computer back up already but I think I need a reference number of tag to return the item?

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@rg-butler i'm sorry to hear that you are returning the system due to the fan noise. As I am unable to provide a return reference number for you, have a you raised a request with either tech support or customer care?

Alan

I have not, is there a contact process / number?