XPS 15 (L502) electrical click noise when playing music

Hi, I got my XPS 15 (L502) not long ago. I realised that the system generates electrical noise when playing music. The sound is short, like a click, or cracking sound, (or sparkling?), maybe sound like 'Ki'. It is hard to describe. It randomly happens, don't how and when.

Anyone has similar issue?

I also notice that my power adapter makes buzzing sound. It can be heard as far as around 10 cm away. Will this be the cause?

Reading http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...uffled-pop-intermittent-xps-15-subwoofer.html now, I think this is the same problem...

Update:

It can happen when no music is on. But it usually follows a pattern: usually the sound comes after the fan stops working. Sometimes when you start to hear the fan working (new finding last night and this morning).

The Maax enhancement is off by default.

Was working on fixing the problem in the past few weeks, none worked but found two issues that may be related to the noise.
1) The power adapter makes constant buzzing noise. It can be heard as far as 10 cm away.
2) The module cover was found protrude outwards. I pushed it back and it seemed to be OK. This happened once.

The procedures I have done (1-3 are done using Dell diagnose tool):
1) Run the Dell diagnose tool, the result is all pass.
2) Run the individual Tests for the Fan, Speaker, Harddisk, Motherboard, and cable, all pass.
3) Run the ‘Abnormal noise coming from my system test’, all pass.
4) Run the Dell support centre pc check tool, all pass.
5) Uninstall the audio driver, and reinstall it, doesn’t work.
6) Upgrade the bios and audio driver, doesn’t work.
7) Disable the Maax audio enhancement, not work.
8) Restore the system using the Dell Factory image, no luck either.

Sent Dell an email and waiting for the reply.

Update: related to my power adapter, the buzzing sound that can be heard around 10cm has been upgraded to the one can be heard more than 20cm now. No dell support during the weekend.

24 May update, the power adapter clicking sound can be heard far more than 50cm away.

 

Just noticed this morning, it happens during no music period too, after the fan stops.

 

This just started happening to me in the past 48 hours as well. Digital noises at random intervals independent of what song or video is playing and independent of what is going on in the background. I had Dell support on the phone for 45 minutes, they were able to hear it over the phone, but couldn't fix or reproduce it consistently. I'm going to talk to them again tomorrow.

 

I had mine when I first received the laptop. ;( Unlucky.

 

i have it in mine too! only noticed it the other day.. its really noticeable when you play piano music on it and the clicks come in and really annoy ya.. i also noticed it with headphones on as well so it might be a sound card problem..

 

I suspect it is related to the current in the circuit.

 

i dont have clicking noise when i play music, but..

my power adapter makes make buzzing and clicking nosie too, but only when it is powering my laptop.

i only had my system for about 2weeks, i just notice it awhile ago.

 

The clicking sound ma come from the boxes. try to disable the energy saving mode within the wave maxx audio settings.

 

It is disabled by default.

 

for some reason, mine have stopped when i uninstalled the "all cpu meter" and the "gpu meter" gadgets off the desktop that i installed previously.. hopefully the clicking will stay away..

 

Very strange, I don't have these gadgets on at all... only weather and currency.

 

Hey Wenbin-- I spent over an hour on the phone with tech support including doing a factory restore, which didn't resolve the problem. They diagnosed a faulty sound card (which is integrated) and are thus they are replacing the motherboard.

 

Hi, Claudenm, thanks for the information. But my computer generates that sound even no music is played... A faulty sound card cannot explain all.

 

Perhaps it is in your best interest to have them repair your motherboard none the less....

 

......Sigh.....

 

same here, I seem to get the click just after the fan spins up, although not all of the time. It happens randomly at other times too.

I don't think Dell know what it is or where it is coming from as I spent a total of over 4 hours over a week speaking to them and troubleshooting. We tried quite a few things including memory testing, HDD testing, safe mode, stopping services, muting the sound card etc etc. In the end I gave up as I wanted to enjoy my XPS and not spend hours troubleshooting.

 

4 hours on the phone? That's very long. When I called Dell on Friday night at around 6:30 pm, XPS phone support system answered with we are off work. Based on Australia Dell website, the phone support should be available 7/24...

Update: related to my power adapter, the buzzing sound that can be heard around 10cm has been upgraded to the one can be heard more than 20cm now.

 

Update： Sent email to Dell at 19 May, around 7:20pm. Receive no reply. Currently it is 23 May, 6:31pm.

 

that was over a week. they'd ask me to try something and call me back the next day to discuss how it went. Nothing they tried could fix the issue so I left it alone. It still clicks but it doesn't seem to be harming the system

 

It is very strange and annoying noise. I tried to figure out what caused that myself, but no luck at all. And I have tried myself most of the procedures Dell support will take and others that are mentioned in this forum, same nothing-working result.

 

For the second time, why don't you have them replace it?

 

Because Dell replied my support request yesterday, but I sent the request last Thursday...

So... that's why didn't have the chance to ask them to replace the parts.

 

hey claudenm, did you have yours replaced and did it fix the issue?

 

Finally, Dell came to replace some parts. Testing......

 

keep us updated. Did the engineer point to anything that could cause the clicking?

 

Based on my description, Dell sent out lots of parts. Of course, some parts are not linked to the noise (don't know why they provide these parts). The engineer replaced the fan and the module cover. The engineer agreed the noise may be caused by fan.

OK, now here is the result.

The noise still exists. But it seems less frequent. Maybe I didn't test it long enough. Continue testing......

 

I have an idea. Maybe dumb but here goes. My monitor would flicker in my room. Maybe the electricity was a little overloaded on that circuit. When I plugged it in on other side of house it is not flickering any more.

My idea for you to test your laptop out at someone else's house in their wall outlet. Also, could there be some kind of interference that is causing that static noise.

 

A quick thought. Did you try to disable as many things as possible? E.g. Did you try to switch off blutooth and wifi and all network cards? Basically disable as many things as possible and see if it helps. If it does help, then switch each thing back on and try to isolate what specific thing is causing the noise.

 

Running on battery has the same noise. And I had other laptops run on the same place, like Dell M1530, Thinkpad T61, no problem at all.

 

I had the same issue and returned it at the end. When its making noises, I noticed that the mouse and keyboard would be freeze up for a second. Open notepad, play music, and see if it freezes when the noise comes up.

 

Mine is not freezing. Just the popping up of the electrical sound sometimes is very annoying, especially when I am listening to music... My previous Dell M1530 has no such problem at all.

 

They are replacing my system after technician was unable to replace motherboard because a screw was stripped.

 

So they are going to replace the motherboard...

 

They are replacing my system after technician was unable to replace motherboard because a screw was stripped.

 

What I mean is they planned to replace the motherboard. But it was unable to, and that's why they replace your system.

They replaced the fan and power adapter for me. Now the electrical noise is less frequent. However I still notice them, especially around the fan high-speed working cycle. Don't know what they are going to replace next time...

 

Update: they replaced the mother board and speaker, but not work. I have no idea which part of the computer caused that problem... going crazy...

 

Sorry to hear that wenbin. I don't think they know what the problem is at all. However, Dell just love changing motherboards, it seems to be their first port of call when they can't figure something out... eg.

Me: Hi, my spacebar has stopped working
Dell: It's your motherboard

incidentally, how do our Windows 7 OEM licenses look upon a motherboard replacement? do they still activate ok if we were to do a fresh install at some point?

 

Hi，andyguk， as long as you use the Dell supplied Windows 7 OEM DVD to re-install system, it will be activated automatically without any problem.

 

Update: Dell analysed the noise sample I sent, and concluded it is the harddisk. I really wish this time will work. Have to back up all the data this weekend. Don't know if I can get the Dell factory image partition back or not. But definitely will ask them to do so.

 

Im pretty sure it is the ram thats causing the problem. Happen on the last replacement of my xps 15. Made the same sound, my computer would freeze for a second. Until one day i went to launch a game i got bsod and the computer would not post. What i did was removed the SAMSUNG 4gb stick from my computer and it ran with 2gb without the sound issue.
They replaced my notebook and it has the samsung ram and its still the same issue. IM just too lazy to request new ram.
So, we need someone with a new set of ram to put it in the computer and try it. Thank you

HOpe it helped

 

Update: The issue still exists. Sent feedback to Dell last Tuesday. However, Dell didn't reply. Sent another one on last Friday, will see if got reply today or not. Otherwise have to raise the issue to the higher level.

 

FYI: Higher level is a no-man.

I've had this issue also.

3 mobos/usb 3.0 boards, 3 ac adapters, 6 sets of speakers/subwoofer, 4 palmrest/touchpads, 3 hdds, 2 heatsinks, 2 fans.

Only things left to change: keyboard, ram/wifi, screen, casing.

Hmm.

I can try without those things and see if it works, possibly a ghost? WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

The ghost of technical help bad?

 

I have the buzzing power bar problem. They replaced my power bar but the issue still exists but it's very intermittent. One thing is for sure is that there's no consistent cause.

 

You have gone though so many repairs

 

I'm pretty sure english isn't your first language, and I'm not sure what country you live in. Let me make it as clear as I can to you. These are the steps you need to take:

1. STOP EMAILING. Emailing is going to get you nowhere. Dell doesn't care about your emails, and they will only give you a standard reply.

2. Get on the phone. Call dell, get them talking.

3. BE ASSERTIVE. At the least you need them to replace your motherboard and speakers. I've had my entire system replaced and in my possession for almost two weeks.

If you aren't going to be assertive, and make Dell replace the motherboard or the system, you are just going to be on this forum every few weeks complaining your computer isn't fixed.

 

I agree with what Claudenm advises. I received my XPS 15 on 1st July and immediately noticed a clicking sound which was very loud. This sound is present when viewing web pages and more noticable when the fan boots up.

I phoned Dell and spoke to one of their Tech Reps who was very helpful. Long story short, he got me to do various tests which included doing a hard drive test which took approx 3 hrs. He also took control of my laptop via remote access and updated the bios. Unfortunately the problem remained and the Tech suggested getting an engineer to attend my home address to examine my laptop.

I politely and firmly stated that I wouldnt be happy with that course of action, as it would mean that I'd have to take a day off work and more importantly my laptop was less than a week old.

The rep informed me that he would contact the relevant department to authorise a brand new replacement for me. Within an hour, he called back and informed me that my replacement laptop had been ordered and they would collect the defective one later this week.

So far you have been jumping through hoops and getting no where. Call Dell (first thing in the morning ) and explain clearly and consisely what your issues have been thus far. Tell them what you want and make it absolutely clear that you want this problem to be resolved in a timely manner. Good luck.


Regards

Miss Diva

 

I must thank you! It solve my problem as well! Thank you!