Annoying high-pitch sound on Apple M1 Ultra

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Level 2

220 points

Annoying high-pitch sound on Apple M1 Ultra

I do experience the annoying high-frequency noise with an Apple M1 Ultra 64GB RAM. It is getting louder when the machine is running at least 30 minutes or a couple of hours. Is there a repair program for the M1 Ultra? I don't complain about machine noise in general, it is this high-pitch sound which is unbearable.

The Mac Studio is a premium product with a premium price. It's a fantastic machine. The device is less than 12 months old. I don't know what else I can do, except selling it and losing a lot of money? I do have Apple Care, though. Does it occur on the latest M1 Mac Studio Ultra model too? Has the error been fixed? I highly appreciate any replies.

Mac Studio (2022)

Posted on Mar 21, 2023 02:00 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

138,635 points

Mar 21, 2023 05:59 PM in response to Tom Binroth

There has a been a lot of discussion on this issue, but this blog post suggests not coil whine, not direct fan noise, not anything you ever thought of before.

The author suggests the Mac Studio Whistles, like a flute, and that two strips of tape in just the right spot cures it:

https://basicappleguy.com/basicappleblog/the-case-of-the-singing-studio

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

88,780 points

Mar 21, 2023 04:08 PM in response to Tom Binroth

The only moving part that can cause that type of sound, is the cooling fan.

If the rear exhaust is facing a wall or other reflective surface, then the sound can bounce off of that surface and seem worse.

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Answer 3

Tom Binroth Author

Level 2

220 points

Mar 22, 2023 05:52 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you very much for your reply.

Yes there have been a lot of discussion. In the meantime I was hoping for a solid workaround or replacement solution. As it turns out it there has not any progress and I guess there won't be. Taping the back is a ridiculous suggestion that will damage the Mac Studio.

It looks like Apple will simply ignore it and release a new model. M1 Mac Studio user have to live with the annoying high-frequency sound. What a bummer

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Answer 4

Mar 22, 2023 06:39 AM in response to Tom Binroth

You said the sound was annoying. Not all users are finding their unit makes noises they find annoying, and Apple has not proffered other solutions.

Slightly changing the size and shape of the outlet by about an inch on one side does not impact the unit's cooling ability, but kills the whistling, which makes it quiet enough.

I can understand you being unhappy about this as a work-around. This is a User solution not endorsed by Apple (but not removed for being destructive or dangerous).

Also, speculation about un-released Apple products is prohibited here.

[Edited by Moderator]

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