M4 Mac mini - Buzzing/Vibration sound

What Displays(s) do you have...?

Cheap long poorly shielded HDMI cables are only good for TV's.

Use short high speed 4K HDMI to HDMI cable or test a short high speed USB-C to HDMI cable.

Personally I would test and use a short high speed 4K USB-C to HDMI cable.

for example: > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099RP92P5/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?

Or up that to a short high speed 8K USB-C to HDMI cable for Displays over 4K.

for example: > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DNZJ4YC/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?

j0urn3ym4n wrote:

In my case the desk acts as an amplifier. So my solution ist either put the Mac Mini sideways (strange enough that solved it) or put it on some rubber / silicon feet. Even putting a pack of tissues beneath the Mac Mini and the desk helped instantly.

👍 That is an excellent solution.

I use to put my old iMac and external HDD's on mouse pads to reduce the transfer of vibration and noise to my desk.

I tried different HDMI cables. Still had the issue. Replaced the Mini and used the same cables and the problem is gone. Its most likely the Minis (or bad batch thereof).

Hi I have got the base version and like you I had a weird buzzing noise. I'm on my third M4 Mac mini and I'm pleased to say this one is not buzzing. It must be a fault with the power supply. I did go into an Apple Store and suggested it could be a grounding issue but after receiving this third device it's clear that it was faulty.

Like other people here I've tried a number of different HDMI cables and three different screens. I also tried a USB to HDMI adapter and the device would still buzz. It would also buzz when shutdown as long as all cables were connected.

I too had this problem. When I took out the HDMI cable the buzzing went crazy for a second then settled back to its usual chirp chirp chirp. Not particularly loud but enough to be distracting when working in a quiet room. I took mine back to Apple Store today and they replaced it. I initially had the base M4 with 500GB upgrade but I paid the extra to get 24GB Ram and 500GB option when they replaced it. No weird sounds from this one :)

Bought the standard entry-level Mac Mini M4 spec in India. I found that when ever my Mac Mini is connected to the wall socket and the wall power switch turned ON (even when my Mac Mini is turned OFF, Shut Down) I got a mild buzz feeling (more like a static, NOT sound that I could hear) which I could only feel it through my fingers if I mildly touch or run them on the surface of the Mac mini. I thought it was a grounding issue but this Mac mini has only two pin power socket and no grounding pin.

I changed my monitors power cable to a three pin type (spare cable came with the monitor, which has a grounding pin) the buzzing feeling stopped. I guess the grounding circuit is completed through the HDMI cable which connects my Mac Mini and monitor. Problem solved.

Return.

In my case the desk acts as an amplifier. So my solution ist either put the Mac Mini sideways (strange enough that solved it) or put it on some rubber / silicon feet. Even putting a pack of tissues beneath the Mac Mini and the desk helped instantly.

You're welcome.

FWIW you can also use USB-C to DisplayPort cable with that display.

for example: > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RY75V7Q/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?

I agree with you, I have just returned my 4th M4 Mac mini as they all had the problem. If you want Sneezy Lab breakdown the converter is on the top at the front of the unit, That is the place the buzzing is coming from.

Only people on 240v look to be having the problem I think.

No news from me. I spoke with a guy from Apple in Austin, Texas. He phone me, I'm in the UK.

They would not acknowledge the issue and said my only option was to return the unit within the 14 days for a full refund.

Like you I will hold out for a fix / new version maybe with M5.

Return and stay away! If it quacks like a duck…it’s a lemon😁

Which part of the current rig is actually buzzing...?

(the Mac mini, the cable or the display)

HDMI transmits a lot of current thru the cable and weak inferior cable or a weak connect can cause all sorts of issues.

One way to be sure is to test better a HDMI cable and/or a different type of connection.

If a better HDMI cable or another type of connecting does not fix,

then you will need to contact Apple Support

Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple

and/or return the Mac mini within 14 days if you are not fully satisfied

Apple - Legal - Sales Policies - U.S. Retail Sales

I got it exchanged aswell. Same spec as before.

The buzzing is now much quieter, but it is, as you wrote before, not completely gone.

You can still notice it when going close to the Mac mini or when being in a very quiet room.

For me, it is acceptable now, the old one was not.