Loud buzzing noise from Spectre x360 (2021)

[reallylagom]

hi! my 13 inch spectre x360 that i got in 2021 has recently begun to make this loud, high pitched buzzing noise. at first it only happened every once in a while but its gradually gotten worse as it's now doing it upon startup as well, after which it will often continue. friends have told me it's likely an issue with the fan, but i wanted to come here to confirm this before i start to look for a solution. when googling the issue i haven't been able to find anything that sounds specifically like my problem, so i'd love to get an opinion on what might be causing this. thanks in advance!

(Edited)

[Max3Aj · Accepted solution]

@reallylagom, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
Yes, based on your description, the loud, high-pitched buzzing noise from your Spectre x360 (2021) is most likely coming from the cooling fan. Here are a few possible causes:

1. Fan Bearing Wear or Dust Buildup

• Over time, dust accumulates inside the fan, causing an imbalance or friction, leading to noise.
• If the fan’s bearings are worn out, it can produce a high-pitched buzzing or whining sound.

2. Coil Whine (Less Likely, But Possible)

• Some Spectre x360 models have been reported to exhibit coil whine, an electrical buzzing noise from power components like the VRMs or CPU voltage regulators.
• However, coil whine typically happens under high loads (e.g., gaming, video rendering) rather than just at startup.

Steps to Fix the Issue:

1. Check for Dust and Clean the Fan

• Use compressed air to blow dust out of the vents.
• If you feel comfortable, open the bottom panel and manually clean the fan with a soft brush or compressed air.

2. Check Fan Behavior in Task Manager

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Go to Performance > CPU/GPU → See if the fan noise increases with load.
• If the fan is running at full speed even when idle, it could be a software issue or overheating problem.

3. Update BIOS and Drivers

• BIOS updates sometimes include fan control improvements.
• Update Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework (DPTF) drivers from HP’s website.

4. Lower Fan Speed Using HP Command Center

• Open HP Command Center and switch to a quieter cooling mode.
• This might reduce unnecessary high fan speeds.

5. Replace the Fan (If Necessary)

• If the noise persists, the fan may be mechanically failing. 

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support