Hi Holatjh,

XPS 9Q23 / 12 is designed with very less mechanical parts that can cause noise problem. There is no physical coil in the machine. However, two points of failures in your case can be the fan assembly or the speakers. It is requested that you observe if the noise is mechanical in nature or static. If the noise is static such as from speakers or mic, please mute all the sound in machine and check if the noise stops. If the noise is mechanical, run then run “Fan Test” in “Dell ePSA Test” utility. To run “Dell ePSA Test”:

1. Power on or restart the computer.
2. As soon as you see the DELL logo, tap until you see the one-time boot menu.
3. Select Diagnostics.
4. The ePSA starts running the quick test without waiting for user input.
5. To select a “Processor Fan”, tap the Esc key and select “Processor Fan”.
6. Select “Thorough” radio-button under “Test Mode”.
7. Click “Run Test”.
8. The Touchpad/Mouse will be non–functional when the test is in progress. This is as per design.
9. If the test returns any error codes, please reply with the same.

Do reply with results.

Firstly, I could not enter the diagnostic site by pressing F12. Tried a lot of times and nothing happened. I did a diagnostic in dell websites and it shows no problems.

I'm pretty sure is not the fan or speaker problem after googling whole day for the cause.

It is something called whine and many users faced this high-pitched sound. There is another post on xps13 having this issue.

The solution that i found is to disable the processor idle located in the processor management under the power options in control panel. It did solve the sound but the trade off is the high temperature of the notebook. It makes my fan turn on all the time at high speed.

So basically it is not a long term solution to this problem by disabling the processor idle. Every time i enable it, the high-pitched sound returns!

This sound really makes people goes mad as it is really sharp and annoying!

Please find a solution to this problem soon!

Thanks Zohaib.  

I just received my xps 12 today and it is doing the exact same thing,  I found your post by googling this issue.  It's really obnoxious.  I work in a quiet office and the sound is a faint, but constant, high pitched electrical whine.  It's driving me crazy... and actually has me contemplating whether I should return the laptop.  For the price of this thing, I shouldn't be driven insane!

I've never been a mac guy.  My previous laptop was a Dell and it held up pretty well.  One time the graphics chip crapped out after the warranty expired and Dell still repaired it for free.  I really want to like this laptop, but Windows 8 is also frustrating me.  That's not a dell issue tho.

The noise from the XPS 12 seems to be loudest on the right side underneath the keyboard.  Please post on here any updates you receive.

Thanks.

Two quick things to add:

It looks like the xps 13, which is similar, has experienced a similar issue en.community.dell.com/.../20115012.aspx

The noise becomes faint as long as I'm doing something with the touchscreen.

Yea other than the sound, the xps is great. But the sound is intolerable, kinda disappointed cause i actually switch away from macbook. The price we pay is too much for this major defect on the xps12. I called the support line and they could not help it. I'm just waiting for the technician to come over or I need to go to their service centre. It's only the 3rd day having this notebook man. So Sad!

yup. done a search everywhere. A lot of users are facing this issue but no solutions from Dell yet.

I do know how to shut the sound but then it will heats up the temperature thus causing the fan to run non-stop.

Do let me know if you want it that way temporary.

Hi,

Dell has released today (6/6/2013) the latest BIOS Version X38, A07 for XPS 12 - XPS 9Q23. It is recommended to update the BIOS and check if this is helpful for noise issue. You can download the BIOS from here.

Note: Plug your computer to a good, working UPS before you update the BIOS. If you experience a loss of AC power or a significant voltage sag/spike during the BIOS flash, you will either have to buy a new BIOS chip or buy a new motherboard.

Do reply with results.

Hi Zohaib,

I've updated my BIOS and the noise is still there. It did not help at all.

I have called dell support and they send a technician here today to change the fan. The result is still the same so definitely not the fan issue.

So now they decided to send a new motherboard with processor and I'm still waiting for the change. I will keep updating the results and do inform me if you have a solution for it.

If nothing works out then I'm considering a refund on this. Such a pity for a nicely build ultrabook.

Hi-

I am having the same problems.  Weird because i have it on TWO xps 12's.  They are sitting side by side.  Both have the noise.  Seems to be worse when the charger is plugged in.  An onsite tech is coming tomorrow armed with a new fan, power circuit and motherboard.  I'm hoping this noise goes away because i really like this laptop.