terencefromhalkirk

Q: Noise from Time Capsule

My Time Capsule has started making a noise like a loud cooling fan.  It only does it occasionally and lasts 5 to 10 minutes then stops.  Is this normal or is is a developing fault? 

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6), Time Capsule A1409

Posted on Aug 26, 2016 11:26 AM

Close

Q: Noise from Time Capsule

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 26, 2016 12:08 PM in response to terencefromhalkirk
    Level 10 (104,978 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 26, 2016 12:08 PM in response to terencefromhalkirk

    The next time that you hear the noise.....

     

    Open AirPort Utility on your Mac    (Finder > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility)

    Click on the picture of the Time Capsule

    Click Edit in the smaller window that appears

     

    Now shift the focus of your eyes all the way up to the top of the computer screen.....up where you see the File, Edit, Window, Help, etc menus

    Click on the Base Station menu

    Click Diagnostics and Usage

     

    Copy and paste the information in the data window in your reply.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-08-26 at 2.05.52 PM.png

  • by terencefromhalkirk,

    terencefromhalkirk terencefromhalkirk Aug 27, 2016 9:12 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 27, 2016 9:12 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    Bob,

     

    Thank you for your reply but my Time Capsule is connected by USB and does not show in AirPort Utilities.  I have tried to find some other way of finding a diagnosis button and failed.  do you have any suggestions?

     

    Regards

     

    Terry Page

  • by Bob Timmons,

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 27, 2016 1:19 PM in response to terencefromhalkirk
    Level 10 (104,978 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 27, 2016 1:19 PM in response to terencefromhalkirk

    Time Capsule cannot connect to your Mac using USB.  The USB port on the Time Capsule is there only for an additional hard drive and/or a USB printer.

     

    Your Mac connects to the Time Capsule using either wireless or via an Ethernet connection from the Mac to one of the three LAN <--> ports on the back of the Time Capsule.

  • by terencefromhalkirk,

    terencefromhalkirk terencefromhalkirk Aug 28, 2016 9:08 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 28, 2016 9:08 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    You are, of course, correct.  It is connected by ethernet.  It is a bit out of sight and it was some time ago when I connected it.  I originally connected it wirelessly but the updates were very slow so I connected it by cable and the updates are working well.  The swishing noise does not seem to be related to updates.

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 29, 2016 11:58 AM in response to terencefromhalkirk
    Level 10 (104,978 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 29, 2016 11:58 AM in response to terencefromhalkirk

    The noise is likely related to overheating, and you are hearing the fan switch on to try to dissipate heat from the Time Capsule.  But, we won't know if that guess is correct until it is verified when you check Diagnostics & Usage when you hear the noise again.

     

    If you are saying that you still cannot see the Time Capsule in AirPort Utility, that is a different matter not related to the noise that you have heard.

  • by terencefromhalkirk,

    terencefromhalkirk terencefromhalkirk Aug 29, 2016 11:58 AM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 29, 2016 11:58 AM in response to Bob Timmons

    It does sound like a fan switching on but it seems odd to have suddenly started.  I have worked out how to get the Time Capsule showing in AirPort Utilities but there is no Diagnostics and Usage button in the base station menu.  Unfortunately I cannot work out how to paste an image into this message.

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 29, 2016 12:22 PM in response to terencefromhalkirk
    Level 10 (104,978 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 29, 2016 12:22 PM in response to terencefromhalkirk

    If you are using El Capitan (10.11.6), then you may be looking at the wrong Base Station "menu".  Do not look at the Base Station tab in the center of the screen.

     

    Instead, look for the Base Station menu at the top of the screen where you see the other menus like AirPort Utility,  File, Edit, Window, Help, etc. The Apple icon is up there as well in the menu bar at the upper left corner of the screen.

     

    An older version of the Time Capsule may not display the Diagnostics & Usage setting.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-08-29 at 2.15.23 PM.png

     

    The power supply section of your Time Capsule is likely beginning to show its age. When that occurs, the power supply starts to run too hot and the fan comes on to cool things, if it can.  At some point, the fan is going to run all the time. That is your signal that the Time Capsule needs to be replaced.

  • by terencefromhalkirk,

    terencefromhalkirk terencefromhalkirk Aug 29, 2016 12:24 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 29, 2016 12:24 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    I was looking at the top of the screen and the diagnostics button is defiantly not there.  However I have found that if I clicked on the picture a window popped up with a number of notes that included on estate said the unit may be overheating.  Since then it seems to has lost the connection a few times and told me it used to be part of the network. It has come back a few times but the connection does not last.  I think it does need to be replaced.   Thanks for your help.

  • by Bob Timmons,Solvedanswer

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 29, 2016 12:29 PM in response to terencefromhalkirk
    Level 10 (104,978 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 29, 2016 12:29 PM in response to terencefromhalkirk

    I noted above that if you have an older version of the Time Capsule that the Diagnostics & Usage setting may not appear.

     

    If you have a "flat or square" shaped version of the Time Capsule, it is likely 4+ years old, or older. The average useful life of the Time Capsule is about 3 years.

     

    Any kind of overheating message indicates that the power supply inside the Time Capsule is heading downhill.  Good idea to replace the product.

  • by terencefromhalkirk,

    terencefromhalkirk terencefromhalkirk Aug 29, 2016 12:42 PM in response to Bob Timmons
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 29, 2016 12:42 PM in response to Bob Timmons

    The Time Capsule is about 3 years and 9 months old and now seems to have died completely. 

  • by LaPastenague,

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Aug 31, 2016 12:50 AM in response to terencefromhalkirk
    Level 9 (52,290 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 31, 2016 12:50 AM in response to terencefromhalkirk

    Your Gen4 TC probably needs a board bakeout.. If you are a diyer it is fairly easy at least to try.

     

    https://sites.google.com/site/lapastenague/a-deconstruction-of-routers-and-modem s/apple-time-capsule-repair/gen4-a1409-i…