Weird Fan Noise on M17X

Hello!
My M17X has recently begun making a strange noise towards the center back of the machine. It is not terribly loud, just enough to be noticably annoying. Normally it just makes that smooth noise, now its just a really low almost a low stuttering/clicking cat purr maybe, its definitely new though. I take real good care of my laptop and never drop or or are rough with it.
Has anybody had a similar issue, or an idea what it could be, and advice on what I should do.
There is nothing worse then using this beast and your ears ringing with annoyance.
Thank you all for your help!

 

I had a similar issue with the fan of the secondary GPU making a weird noise. It was located in the back right side as you look the screen normally. I called Dell, they sent a technician and replaced (should I say I replaced) the fan. That's all. Just try to see where exactly the noise comes from

 

I tried turning on and off the integrated and descrete GPUs and it still makes that annoying noise. If I had to guess I think its the processor fan maybe. So I should just call Dell then you think, or is there an alternitive?
Thanks so much for the help!

 

Try to change the angle of the laptop by lifting up the front or the back of it and see if the noise gets worse. If yes then it will be easier for you to determine the exact location

 

I am having the same problem. This is my second M17x the first one came with that same fan purring sound in the back right corner which has to be the right gtx 260. I sent it back for different reasons reordered a brand new one. It came and ran perfectly quiet and smoothly until today (it is 4 days old) The fan purr/buzz is back in the same spot. When i tilt the computer around it gets way worse and then went away after i set it down right. It comes and goes but currently is non existant.

I am extremely gentle with it as well. It is wierd because it is coming from the right GPU fan but when they are running full power i cant really hear it any more.

 

I can confirm that since in mine the noise started after the third day. As I mentioned before give Dell a call and have it replaced, it's easy

 

Thank you very much for your advice!
Did it cost you anything, or is it covered under complete care?

 

It didn't cost me anything at all. The best thing to do is ask them before they send anything. just to make sure you know...

 

Same here. Right GPU fan was replaced 3 weeks after delivery. The purring sound is gone but on system startup that fan makes terrible noises till it goes to normal spinning frequency. Though they will replace it for free, I recommend against it. Watch your temps and unless you see a 4-5c difference don't worry replacing it. They may send you a nice tech who will break/scratch/crack enough parts in the process to make you regret the entire purchase.
If you are 100% sure you want to replace it - Do it yourself (convince the tech). You can follow the nice guide done by Moo.

 

I had the issue with the CPU fan on the M17. i believe it was an issue with a wire abbrasion.

 

same here with my first m17x.

sad thing was the "repair guy" broke 2 tabs on my sense bar. nearly ripped out 2 ribbons and laid the metal hinges on my screen as he made the swap.

no only that, but i had to show him how to make the repair! so when it was time to swap out the motherboard, i did that myself.

 

....now thats a confidence builder.. I guess I better Learn how to fix these things myself quickly.

And if I need anything done by dell you better bet that every inch of the computer is going to be photographed in high res. The first thing they scratch or break. they buy.

 

Oh goodness!
Really nervous about this now.
Hope the tech doesnt break mine!
: /

 

I have this issue with mine, but it only seems to occur under moderately heavy load. When at max RPM it doesn't make the noise.

It basically sounds like something is either touching it, or something on the fan is rattling when it's at certain frequencies.

 

My fan also makes a weird sound at low RPMs but whatever. If you start chasing sounds you'll go mad.

 

this sound is chasing ME!
It's always there and won't go away, like a squewer goin through my brain!

 

Just curious, when you gently tap the laptop does the fan noise temporarily change?

 

If I lift it up then it changes for a second, not really if I tap it.
I called Dell today and I guess some Tech is gunna call me tomorrow. Is there anything I should tell the tech or mention about the problem other then "Please don't break the most expensive purchase of my life", or do they generally know what they're doing.
Thanks for the help guys!

 

Sorry to bring the old thread back.
But, this is exactly the issue I'm having now!
So, any fix other than getting replacement?

 

At first I thought it's the cpu fan.
now, i'm starting to think it's the right gpu fan.
someone please reply.
those indian techs are pissing me off..
so is the noise.

 

Its normal. I had the same issue with my 2nd gpu fan, just call dell and they will replace it.

 

Yeah, seems like it can be fixed by fan replacing.
But, how do i know which fan it is?
I think it's the CPU fan but how can i make sure before I get it replaced?

 

---^
boot your M17x using only the integrated graphics. Only the cpu fan will turn on.

 

I did more than that.
I took off both graphic cards and the fans.
And the noise is still there.
So, definitely, it's from CPU fan.
I don't dare take out the CPU fan tho.

 

Im having the same problem with my fan. I cant tell though if its the cpu fan or the gpu fan. Sometimes it sounds like its coming from the cpu but most of the time it sounds like its coming from the gpu. But it only does it at highe speeds. It not really doing it at low speeds. Could it be both my fans? Well I geuss I find out soon. I called AW and they will be sending someone out to replace my gpu fan.

 

I have the same problem too, it so low though it's hard to tell where it's coming from other than the backside when the fans are going. I want to say it's loudest on the right side like other's have guessed.


edit:
It's actually easier to hear when the gpu's are in 2d mode and the fan is on low speed, definitely sounds like bad bearings from that fan. I think I'll open it up to make sure the blades are not hitting the wire or something before I call dell however.

edit: it's definitely the fan, just blowing some air in the fan the rattling noise came back to a degree. The rattling was not present in the left side GPU fan.