Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Repair information and guides for the 2015 Retina MacBook Air. Model A1534

281 Questions View all

Options

Strange high frequency noise ... but doesn't come from speakers... :(

Hi to everyone...

I have a very strange problem with a Macbook 2015 (A1534 EMC 2746):

when I power on the macbook (powered by battery and also by USB C), I hear a very strange and annoying sound (maybe a leakage)

the sound is an high frequency noise, and when I put my ear on bach of the macbook, I ear also a sound similar to a crappy fan (with an elliptic bearing)... but there isn't fan in this Macbook...

What I've done trying to solve this problem:

  • unmounted left & right speakers = the annoying sound is still present
  • disconnected the battery & the speakers = the annoying sound is still present
  • disconnected the touchpad = the annoying sound is still present
  • disconnected the audio board = the annoying sound is still present

the noise appear coming from the motherboard...

anyone has some idea wich is the problem???

thank you in advance for your help...

Update (12/28/23)

@danj , I've found this side effect in the monitor: there are "rows" in whole monitor... (see the attached image)

I've seen this defect only once on a Macbook Pro 2011 on the Radeon GPU... I've forced the use of the internal gpu and the defect disappear (so the gpu was faulty...)

can be that the gpu IRIS 5300 on this macbook have some problem and a side effect of this problem is the high frequency noise?

Block Image

Answer this question I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

3 Answers

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest

Options

That sound (if it is coming from the Logic Board), means that there is a component that is creating a short circuit. For example: a capacitor could be broken, or an IC board could be malfunctioning. Whatever the particular problem is, it is impossible to simply unsolder the malfunctioning component and then solder on a new one. You will need to replace the logic board.

Retina MacBook 2015 Logic Board Replacement

Be sure after this procedure that you "Wake Up" the MacBook, because that could damage it forever.

Applying Low Voltage After Every Repair (Retina MacBook 2015 Only)

Retina MacBook 2015 Logic Board Image

Guide

Retina MacBook 2015 Logic Board Replacement

Difficulty:

Difficult

—

1 hour
Retina MacBook 2015 Image

Guide

Applying Low Voltage After Every Repair (Retina MacBook 2015 Only)

Difficulty:

Very easy

—

1 - 15 minutes

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0

1 Comment:

the bad news is that a working logic board is really expensive...

by

Add a comment

Options

Well.. almost! The high pitched sound is coming from one of the inductors or power MOSFET’s within the logic board.

This is quite repairable! But it will take someone with good board level diagnosis and micro soldering skills to identify and replace the bad component.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0

7 Comments:

@danj - Oh nice! I learn something new everyday. I had a MacBook Unibody A1278 that did the same thing, and the logic board was defective. I guess that’s slightly different on the newer models. Cool.

by

@jadonlyon - The unibodies use basically the same circuit! I’ve fixed many logic-boards with high frequency squeal issues. Some are easier to fix than others. The MacBooks are so tightly packed it does take a bit more work to get to the failing component.

by

@danj - Oh okay. I do not know much about soldering onto logic boards. I simple replace them when they brake. But that is cool to know! Thanks for the tips!

by

When the screen shout down after x minutes the squeals stop! It’s possible with this trace insulate the mosfet or inductor to change ?

by

@spn - Sorry can’t diagnose it down remotely. One needs to measure the voltages and probe the signals.

by

Show 2 more comments

Add a comment

Options

That could be your fans or your Hard drive, if you don't have a solid state.

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 0

1 Comment:

This system uses a SSD

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

Luke Skywalker will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 2

All Time: 66