MacBook Air 2.0 Fan Noise While Idling

I picked up a 1.86, 128 SSD MacBook Air last Sunday and have run into an issue with the fan. At first, the computer was near silent as I've experienced with every Apple laptop I've used. However, while reinstalling OS X to trim the printer drivers and language translations the fans kicked on to full bore. After restoring my system with Time Machine, the fans now make a rattling/vibrating noise from the time I start the machine, or wake from sleep.
Since I didn't notice this at first, I'm guessing that I am experiencing an unfortunate defect with my machine. I was hoping to gauge those of you who have purchased this machine to see if this was an isolated case or if this is normal for the Air.
Also, the noise is not extremely loud, and isn't noticeable with a bit of ambient noise in the room like the TV or music. When it is just me and the computer it is quite distracting. Thanks for the help.

unfortunately that's not a desired solution since I already own a MB Pro. The MBA should be the light OS X laptop to carry around. That's why we cope with the little number of ports and even with a battery that cannot be changed by own means.
Because of the poor graphics and the related processor work producing loud fan sounds by just watching a you tube video / a flash site or doing any other not really power intense stuff I sold my MBA rev1 and bought a rev2 to overcome the graphic card bottleneck and overcome this problem.
And that's where we are right know ... stuck with a better machine in terms of power but not in terms of the display.. left alone by Apple so far in the middle of nowhere with this issue so far. I even can't go to an Apple store and ask them to open any MBA and give me one with a perfect display. We ain't got an Apple store so far in Germany. It's thrid party electronics stores selling those products over here and they actually deny opening the devices before being sold and handing me over a perfect one. Despite of that I have to buy it and afterwards return it for "repair". That's "real customer service" with greated satisfaction. So the only way for me is to gamble and to order directly from Apple Store online and return it if it's not a perfect one. It did this twice but due to the forums experience and due to my personal experience I went for a refund after the second rev2 and now are waiting for a couple of weeks until I will give it a try again. But as long as Apple does not officially react I doubt much will change.
However compared to the number of posters and the sold devices the percentage of complaining users is so low (0.000.x %) Apple probably does not see a reason yet to react. The only thing that keeps me from thinking that it's minority problem is that so many people are reporting that so many MBA rev2 in Apple Store would show the problem to and that even the store genius and stuff admit the devices to have this "faulty" screen. That's my only hope in terms that maybe something in the future will change and that maybe there comes a day (hopefully in the near future) where I can go and buy and get a perfect MBA rev2 and thus an Apple Laptop that I can use what it was designed to be an "almost" perfect lightway OS X device.

Similar Messages

  • Macbook air making weird fan noise

    It sounds like the fan is going into over drive, I guess.. The problem occurs when I'm playing games, or when i tilt my computer for some reason.
    2012 Macbook air 4GB ram, i-5 processor.

    GPU / CPU intensive activities like playing games will generate heat.
    Fans will run at higher rpm to cool down the computer. That is normal.
    If the temperature gets too high, the computer will shutdown to protect itself from damage.
    Best.

  • HT1338 My macbook air got some loud noise

    Just recently my macbook air got a loud noise when i plug in my cable. the fan sound is very loud and i just purchase my macbook recently,may i know what issue is that?

    When you think about it, you'll have to agree that with this "description" we can't do much - other than advising you to "turn all sounds off"...
    So, a better explanation of what type of noise and possibly in what situation it occured would be absolutely necessary.

  • Does leaving macbook air on all the time (while plugged in) to download torrents degrade battery life?

    Does leaving macbook air on all the time (while plugged in) to download torrents degrade battery life?

    You have a lot of things going on here...you are keeping the Air plugged in all the time, you should run on the battery periodically to give it some exercise, you are keeping it on all the time which may be keeping it under constant or near constant load, and you are doing all of that to download pirated content, for which you will get no help on here.

  • Fan noise/overheating issue? I have a late 2008, 15'' MBP and I'm having a lot of fan noise while just running safari. I don't think this is normal but perhaps it is? Thanks for any and all help!

    Fan noise/overheating issue? I have a late 2008, 15'' MBP and I'm having a lot of fan noise while just running safari. I don't think this is normal but perhaps it is? Thanks for any and all help!

    Runaway applications can increase fan activity

  • My Macbook air laptop sound, fan and speed is messed up, how do I fix it?

    Where do I start. One random day I came home to find out that my sound has been muted. I tried to fix it with headphones, reseting the PRAM, google, and even by asking my schools computer tech. Some times the mute button would disappear and the sound bar would be in color but their would still be no sound. After  the computer tech went on his account on the laptop to un-mute it, which he couldnt, he told me that my built in speakers dont work and would need to be replaced next year. Im like okay no problem, that same day i closed my laptop and found that the light was still on, I asked a friend and he said the black bar between the keypad and screen is what activates the laptop to shut off, which means its broken, so in between class periods i either shut down my laptop or put it to sleep. The next day my laptop starts to run slow and as soon as i power it on the fan runs immediately but the laptop isnt hot. My mouse moves at normal speed but my applications are running slow. This all happened in one week which is this week. My battery dies at a normal pace though.
    More information
    This is a school given macbook air for a magnet program called iPrep, so i cant download anything with our administration password
    This is my second laptop out of the 3 years ive been in the program. My first laptop started to break after the sound got muted and my laptop ended up with an X on the battery and would only turn on when a charger is plug but would go super slow. This makes me scared cause i dont want that happening at all to this one.
    Problems
    Sound is muted, it sometimes un-mutes but there is still no sound, internal speakers broken
    When closed the screen display is still open
    Computer applications go slow, fan turns on immediately
    Any help, this is bothering me so much

    Hi Jollified,
    Does your sound work when you try to use head/earphones? If so, try the following:
    Plug your Headphones into your Mac.
    Play a sound through them (a song for example), then stop the sound.
    Make sure 'Preferences' is isn't open. If it is, Quit.
    Launch System Preferences > Sounds.
    While the Sounds tab is open and set to 'Headphones', pull out the Headphones from the jack.
    You should see your Mac reset to 'Internal Speakers'
    Also, I see you have tried resetting the PRAM, have you tried resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)? Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support
    As for your MacBook not sleeping when you close the lid, there are many reasons this can occur.
    First of all, check out Apples article on the issue: OS X Yosemite: If your Mac won’t go to or stay in sleep If you find these steps don't help, try a few of the following:
    A common cause for the Mac not sleeping is your printer. If there are queued jobs waiting to be printed, but your printer is switched off, for some reason you Mac just wont like it and simply will not go to sleep. System Preferences > Print and Scan > Open Print Queue
    Do you have an Ethernet Cable connected? People have reported in the past that removing their Ethernet allowed their Mac to sleep. This goes for other things you may have connected directly to your Mac also.
    Try heading into your Mac Preferences > Sharing and deselecting 'Internet Sharing' as well as 'Printer Sharing'.
    Also deselect Wake For Network Access by heading to System Preferences > Energy Saver > Power Adapter > Wake For Network Access.
    Energy Saver > Schedule > Startup or Wake - Uncheck.
    Alternatively, set your system preferences to Never Sleep, and put into Sleep manually: System Preferences > Energy Saver > Computer Sleep > Never.
    Good luck!

  • U840-10Q high fan noise in idle

    Hi,
    about month ago I've bought Toshiba U840-10Q ultrabook. After day of useing, I've returned it for RMA, because of broken WiFi led. During the RMA I reported to Toshiba Service that in idle fan noise is unacceptably high. They ignored it and only changed the WiFi led. So what can I do with that unbearable fan noise?
    I found some posts on this forum, where people complain on this ultrabook's fan noise. Well, the problem is that fan turns on when laptop is quite cool (about 45-50 degrees) and stay turned on even if the temperature drops down to about 40 degrees (in idle). So I think it's software issue, maybe BIOS issue. On the other hand maybe it's a hardware issue, related with fan. Because the main problem is buzzing fan noise, which is not acceptable in silent environment. For now I can't use this ultrabook, because of that noise.
    I have the latest BIOS v1.60. Cooling vents are clean (they cleaned them in service). 
    Should I return it again to RMA? Or should I sell this ultrabook and never again buy a Toshiba?
    Regards

    A noisy fan is usually a hardware issue.
    Therefore if you are actually using canned air to keep the fan and vents clean from dust and grime, and you have a cooling pad and it is still noisy, then it is probably a dysfunctional fan.
    Now you can send it back in if you have a warranty on it. If you don't you, could replace the fan yourself. If you choose to do this, there needs to be further discussion.
    Let us know if you are using canned air: remember spray for only 2 to 3 sec at a time to prevent any harm to your hardware.
    Noise from fans can come from the dust particals that get into the fan bearings.
    These fans are so small that it does behoove us all who have laptops to take care of our hardware regularly to prevent damage.
    Just so you understand, fans and overheating is true for any brand of laptop, not just Toshiba.
    I have been in this business for many years and have worked with every brand of computer known to man;
    I will tell you in all my years I have only used Toshiba because of its reliability and stability.
    I am not an employee of Toshiba either.
    I am speaking from pure experience.
    -I actually have my old Toshiba's (7-10 years old) still in use and working just fine.
    Hope this helps
    -Kenna
    "Knowledge should be unrestricted and the most important commodity we can offer to help one another."

  • My MacBook Air is making a noise every 7 seconds for 2 seconds. It started today, and I have had it for almost a year.  It is below the power switch and annoying enough that it is hard to even work with the computer.  Ideas?

    My MacBook Air is making a clicking noise every 7 seconds for 2 seconds. It started today, and I have had the computer for almost a year.  It is below the power switch and annoying enough that it is hard to even work with the computer.  It sounds as if a hard drive is trying to work. No applications running.  Ideas?

    If its a MBA with solid state drive then I would guess its the fan touching something ???. I think it have no other moving parts.

  • Macbook Air 2013(Haswell) fan issue?

    Hi Guys,
    I've been having a weird issue with my Macbook air. I've noticed that it's been a little bit warmer than usual lately.
    I downloaded iStat and upon watching a youtube video for 20 minutes my temps rise to 80-90 celcius. However, my fan speed never goes about 2000rpm. I tried setting the fan speed manually to check if there was an issue with the fan itself and it happily increases to around 6000rpm. Should my fan speed be compensating more for the heat at 80-90 celcius than it is? It's running 60 celsius on idle...
    Thanks for your help guys!

    Try a SMC reset:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964
    If there is no change, bring the MBA in for service.
    Ciao.

  • My macbook air has a strange noise

    My macbook air has been making a noise sometimes. I upload a video so you can listen
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wum4vd7Aimo&feature=plcp
    I dont think it is the fan, it doesn't sound like that... anyway, it is at 1997 RPM right now and there is this disturbing noise.
    Thanks you in advance!

    They are the fans. Reset the SMC > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964?viewlocale=en_US

  • MacBook Air 2013 battery drains quickly while in sleep mode

    I just purchased a 13" mid-2013 MacBook Air this week, and so far everything is working well - a remarkable improvement over my 2007 MacBook! But, I've noticed that the battery seems to drain very quickly while in sleep mode. For example, it drained 10% over five hours. I've turned off bluetooth and made sure that the PowerNap option is not selected under Energy Saver preferences. And the battery health/capacity seems to be good. Are there other things that I should turn off/check out? Has anyone else experienced this? Is this even abnormal for the battery to drain at this rate while in sleep mode? Thank you!!

    You can return a new Mac within 14 days of purchase.
    A new Mac is in warranty for 1 year from the date of purchase.
    A new Mac comes with 90 days of free tech support from AppleCare.
    AppleCare: 1-800-275-2273
    Call AppleCare.
    Best.

  • Macbook Air Screen keeps turning off while in use

    Hi all,
    I've had my Macbook Air for about 10 days now - it was working fine for the first 5 days, then I went away for a long weekend break, came home, switched it on and now it is all messed up. 
    Randomly and frequently while the computer IS IN USE the display will turn off for a seemingly random amount of time then come back on with no input from me.  So just to be clear, this is not the power profile, or the energy saving setting... what happens is that while I am mid-typing or in the middle of a mouse movement (it has happend a couple of times during me typing this first paragraph already) the display on the Macbook will go completely black, as in the blacklight goes off and nothing can be seen on the screen - then, no matter if I carry on typing or if I just take my hand off the keys and give it no input what-so-ever, after some time (as short as 5 seconds or as long as 30 seconds) the screen will pop back on as if nothing had happened.
    Some other things to note:
    If I carry on typing when the screen goes dark the chracters i've typed are there when the screen comes back on - so it seems to be only affecting the display.
    Whether I wiggle the mouse, bash keys or just sit back in frustration has no bearing on how long it takes for the screen to come back on.
    It appears to occour more often when the macbook is on a solid surface like my desk as opposed to on my lap - though it has occured in both locations.
    I have power cycled, restarted, rebooted etc a million times.
    It happens in both OSX and Windows boots
    It is truly random, I can go as long an hour without it happening, then it will happen 20 times in 5 minutes.
    The keyboard backlight stays on throughout (if it is on already)
    If this was a 5 year old laptop I'd be straight away assuming this was a display cable, inverter cable or lid-close switch problem, but it's only 10 days old!  I'll be very annoyed if this is a hardware issue this soon.  What should be my next course of action?? Phone Apple?  Or take it straight to an Apple store?
    My only worry is that its impossible to recreate the fault on demand, its very random - however I did record a video on my iPhone of it doing it constantly for a 3 minute period while I was using the computer (complete with my sighs of frustration as a soundtrack!!).  Will that be enough to convince them if I'm unlucky (or lucky depending on which way you look at it!) and it doesn't display the fault when they inspect it??
    I tried to embed the video but the video button above is greyed out, whats up with that?!
    Thanks,
    Seb

    Step 1
    Select "System Preferences" from the Apple drop-down menu at the top left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, you can open the System Preferences window by clicking the “System Preferences” icon in the dock.
    Step 2
    Click the "Energy Saver" icon in the Hardware section. The Energy Saver window opens.
    Step 3
    Click the "Settings For" drop-down box and select "Power Adapter" from the drop-down list. Click the "Optimization" drop-down box and select "Custom" from the list.
    Step 4
    Click the "Computer Sleep" slider and drag it all the way to the right. The slider will stop at "Never." Click the "Display Sleep" slider and drag it to "Never" as well.
    Step 5
    Click the "Settings For" drop-down box again and select "Battery" from the list. Select "Custom" from the Optimization drop-down box. Move both sliders to "Never."

  • MacBook Air .. Fan CPU and youtube test @ Apple Store...

    Folks,
    Just spend 3 hours at Apple Store in London.
    Speak to genius and start investigating the MBA..
    We Open 5 Safari explorer tabs and on each tab you tube is running.
    turn on the itunes playing movie in there in itunes.
    surfing internet same time.. and leave it running for test 15 min
    No core shutdown, well mba get hot but not burning hot and they advised its aluminum case and should feel hot ..so MBP as well.
    fan rpm goes to 6200 and CPU temp goes to btw 60 to 78 Degree 'C'
    remember 5 you tube video's running and itunes is playing movie and surfing internet
    so hammering the MBA...
    I said well can we do same test on MACBOOK PRO..
    did and guess wat same results and CPU went up to 85 degree 'C' using i stat.
    I was also offerd a new MBA at store replacement if i am not happy with mine.. but i decided not too.. coz after that test i feel my MBA is okay no core shutdown and nothing major sign for crash or anything.
    if i replace i might get dodgy one.. never know..
    so
    I got back home running everything and no prob at so far..
    Oh yes they rest something on my laptop by restart the MBA and press power button option and shift key together i dont know what that does but it does reset something after install the SDU or SUD driver or something.
    so currently working on it and if anything goes wrong i got warranty so take it back any time
    so guys just use as wish you like and stop worrying.
    MBA is the best notebook out there and might have couple of issues but hey apple is good to hear from customers. so Enjoy

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities
    To check if you have got the most recent MacBook Air model, open  > About this Mac > More Info. If you see you have got a Mid 2013 one, you have got the most recent MacBook Air.
    Note that you may have purchased a Mac which was manufactured before the Mavericks launch (in October 2013). You can check which OS X version your Mac has got in  > About this Mac; 10.9 is the most recent version, and the latest update for OS X Mavericks is 10.9.2.

  • MacBook Air 2012 Severe Battery Drains While Sleeping

    Hi there,
    This isn't any new but I've looked through all posts I could.
    I got a refurbished MacBook Air 2012 in July. In the first 2 weeks it worked fine (or I was noticed).
    Then I noticed the battery drains fast while the system sleeps.
    I have done tests in the past weeks; almost 20% of battery drain after slept a day.
    I have tried everything I could: turn off PowerNap, no wake from BT devices, erase and reinstall OS
    None of above helped.
    I have tried to modify hibernatemode to 25 and it worked ok; 2% of battery dropped after 12 hours.
    I took this to Apple in Taiwan and they told me they couldn't do anything about it because they think it's software conflicts which does't really have a solution but wait for OS updates. They did run a diagnostic and everything turns out to be fine.
    I just did reinstall the OS again and I'll see whats going on tomorrow morning.
    If still not getting better I will just use hibernatemode 25.
    Anything recommandation is more than welcome.
    Thanks.
    My OS version is 10.8.3.

    Tried hibernatemode to 25 and still not helpful at all.
    Battery drained 8% after 10 hours of sleep while mode 25 should put my macbook air into deep sleep and consume very minimal power.
    <Edited by Host>

  • Macbook air and timecapsule - fan problems (processor?)

    it only happens on the back up to time capsule and then MBA goes into overdrive with the fan up around 6200 rpm, istat pro tells me that cpu use is ok, but activity monitor, has a kernel task using 25% processor power.
    Sometimes the MBA will just freeze up where no keystrokes or mouse clicks work at all, other time just fan revving up through the back up
    I have seen others with similar problems but no definitive answers, is there anything I can do

    I have the same problem, I already have a .mac account with two computers registered, I want to add my new Macbook Air, and nothing happens. It apparently starts registering the computer but nothing happens when I use the option register this computer. In addition, all the sync options are in grey. I tried through .mac also and is not working, any idea?
    thanks

Maybe you are looking for