Unsolved
1 Rookie
•
8 Posts
0
623
April 24th, 2025 16:17
AW2725Q, coil whine fan noise issue
I just bought this monitor. It's only been a few hours since I set it up and I can confirm that the fan noise kicks in very soon after the monitor being on. The noise is noticeable and constant. I've just upgrade from the AW2725DF (1440p QD-OLED 360Hz model) which has never made this noise. Prior to that I've owned the AW3225QF (again no noise) and the AW2723DF (1440p IPS 280Hz model). Never had an issue with this low frequency humming. It is very annoying in all honesty. Makes me feel like I've got ringing in my ears.
I'm using it primarily with my MacBook for work right now, so only 60Hz refresh rate. This shouldn't cause the hardware to be pushed by any stretch. So this is likely an issue with the firmware that hopefully can be addressed. Never had this issue with any previous Alienware monitors. I read about an issue 2 years ago with their first QD-OLED monitor model the AW3423DWF. That had many users complain about the coil whine and fan noise. This is definitely an issue and should be addressable via a firmware update.
I spoke with Dell Tech Support and they insist this is by design and not an issue. I've never experienced any fan noise with any monitor I've ever owned including any Alienware and Dell monitors, so I don't believe them.
I’ve demonstrated this here using my phone:
ejn63
10 Elder
•
29.6K Posts
1
April 24th, 2025 17:11
Return the monitor for a refund. You'll never be happy with it.
waxsta1
1 Rookie
•
8 Posts
0
April 25th, 2025 15:59
@ejn63 That's not a solution to the problem from an end customer perspective as this appears to be a common fault. I've ordered a new unit to compare against.
ejn63
10 Elder
•
29.6K Posts
0
April 25th, 2025 17:21
Just bear in mind the return period clock starts ticking at shipment and lasts 30 days -- after that, you do not have return privileges.
If the issue is coil whine, note that the issue is perceived differently by individuals. If a product is sufficiently irritating to you, buy something else -- it may not be so to the next buyer.
waxsta1
1 Rookie
•
8 Posts
0
April 26th, 2025 12:58
Background:
I've owned the following Dell/ Alienware monitors over the course of the last 6 years:
2019 - AW2518HF - 1080p TN Panel 240Hz
2020 - S2721DGF - 1440p IPS 165Hz
2021 - AW2721D - 1440p IPS 240Hz
2023 - AW2723DF - 1440p IPS 280Hz
2024 - AW2725DF - 1440p QD-OLED 360Hz
2025 - AW3225QF - 4K QD-OLED 240Hz
2025 - AW2725Q - 4K QD-OLED 240Hz
Issue:
I've just received my brand new Alienware AW2725Q monitor and it has noticeable coil whine/ fan noise. The noise starts about 5 mins after switching on the monitor and does not stop whilst the monitor is on. This is not due to stressing the monitor in any way.
Expected Behaviour:
The fan noise should not be audible or at the very least only switch on due to heavy/ extreme operation. It should not be constantly enabled.
Issue Demo:
https://youtube.com/shorts/DH8dc13RtxE
Test 1: Holding my phone arms length away from the monitor to demonstrate the issue. L1 and L2 fan tests performed:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CMtciF9TmRA
Test 2: On my previous AW2725DF QD-OLED monitor I perform the L1 test:
https://youtube.com/shorts/v3Mb-0USsuA
This issue occurs when I am plugged into my Macbook Pro 16 M1 Max laptop, running at 4K 60Hz. It also occurs on when plugged into my Desktop PC at 240Hz 4K.
In the diagnostics OSD menu, I've tested the various fan speeds. L1 is the speed that produces the low buzz/ humming noise.
In the same diagnostic test, I am able to switch the fan off. On occasion the fan stops for a few minutes. At other times it stays off for many hours.
Concluding thoughts:
Having owned 7 Dell monitors in the last 6 years, this is the first time ever that I've been able to hear the fan from a monitor period.
I believe that the firmware/ software is not intelligently adapting to ambient and monitor temps. A firmware update should be released to address this problem.
Dell should address this as simply switching on the monitor enables the fan to run at L1 speeds constantly regardless of usage intensity. The fan NEVER switches off automatically.
I've owned other QD-OLED monitors from Dell (see aforementioned list), and they've never made this level of noise.
Other people have reported this issue too
(edited)