Thunderbolt Display fan runs continuously in sleep mode

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Thunderbolt Display fan runs continuously in sleep mode

Hello,

I have a new Thunderbolt display and new Macbook Pro 15" just setup.

I have been running in clamshell mode without any problems, but when I put the Macbook to sleep, the fan inside the Thunderbolt Display starts running quite loudly. When entering sleep, the display goes black and seems to be off, but after a few seconds the fan starts up and I can feel a stream of air coming out from under the display (the screen stays black).

The Macbook itself seems to be sleeping ok (the led on the side slowly flashes).

The fan in the display seems to run continuously at high speed: I left it in sleep overnight, and the fan was still running in the morning.

When I wake up the Macbook, the screen turns on and then the fan cuts back to normal (quiet) levels.

The various Thunderbolt software updates were all installed OK yesterday but didn't make any difference (the problem was there before and after installation).

(I also noticed that if I just plug in the power to the display, without the macbook cables connected, the fan will also run at high speed and never turn off, thought the screen itself seems to be off.)

Anyone else experiencing this or have any ideas how I can fix it?

Regards,

Ben

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Oct 31, 2011 3:26 PM

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Answer 1

ben.hk Author

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Oct 31, 2011 3:41 PM in response to ben.hk

PS: The fan also kicks in if the Macbook is completely shutdown...not just in sleep mode.

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Answer 2

skwirl

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Nov 5, 2011 10:10 AM in response to ben.hk

Just got a new display and Macbook Air, see -- well, hear -- the same thing. If the Air is powered off or disconnected from the Thunderbolt display, the fans come roaring on and then settle down to a noticeable level. Once the Air is powered on, it becomes silent.

Have already applied the EFI update, no change. This is not good.

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Answer 3

ben.hk Author

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Nov 5, 2011 4:18 PM in response to skwirl

Hi...

Not good news on this problem. I contacted Apple support about this and they got me to try some things like resetting the PRAM and running some other tests. However, nothing made any difference.

In the end they recommended a complete replacement of the screen, which I'll be arranging with Apple next week.

Ben

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Answer 4

skwirl

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Nov 8, 2011 3:08 PM in response to ben.hk

Just back from the local Apple Store with a replacement monitor. Plugged it in and it was totally silent -- not the roaring fan of the previous unit. Hope that's the end of the issue.

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Answer 5

Nov 26, 2011 8:57 AM in response to skwirl

I'm having the same problem. I called Apple support, and they tried to bs me by telling me that the fan is required by the display CPU to detect when a computer is connected. Yeah, right. I'm going to bring it back, there is no way this device needs a constantly running fan just to detect a connected computer. How disappointing that a company that makes plenty of money off their products would be so disrespectful and deceitful towards its customers, some of whom may not have the technical expertise to detect the bs. Shame on you! 😠 😟

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Answer 6

Nov 27, 2011 2:46 PM in response to markusm73

I went to the store today and asked for an exchange of my defective Thunderbolt display. The sales rep seemed clueless about this particular problem, but also first tried to indicate it might be a "feature". Yeah, my A/C probably needs some support from the display fan. Not. She then agreed to test this issue with a device in the show room. It, of course, didn't have this problem so she accepted my exchange.

I'm happy to report that the new device seems to be working flawlessly so far, i.e. the display fan doesn't spin loudly forever when no device is connected.

Feel free to quote this page if they are trying to push you into keeping your defective display. You have a right to receive a working product.

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Answer 7

GelbTwo

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Dec 1, 2011 10:59 PM in response to markusm73

I just got a new MacBook Pro with a Thunderbolt Display today and sadly, I have to say that my Thunderbolt Display seems to have the same issue. Whenever my MBP is in sleep mode, off, or just disconnected from the Thunderbolt Display, the Thunderbolt Display's fan kicks in, and it runs continuously, and doesn't stop unless I unplug the display from the wall outlet. I'm pretty dissapointed. I'm going to contact Apple tomorrow.

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Answer 8

ben.hk Author

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Dec 2, 2011 2:16 AM in response to GelbTwo

I hope you guys can get Apple to replace the display.

I have now received my replacement display and it works fine. No fan when the computer is sleeping or when the TB cable is disconnected.

If you are going to pick up a replacement screen in a store (or if you are buying a new one), I'd suggest you ask them to unpack it and plug it in while you are still in the store. This particular problem seems to be apparent within about 30 seconds of the power being plugged in (make sure no computer is connected to the Thunderbolt port).

The store is often noisy and it may be difficult to hear the fan. So to test it, hold your hand under the bottom edge on the left side of the display (as you face the front of the screen) and see if you can feel the air stream from the fan (you will need them to peel back the plastic wrapping from that edge first, otherwise the vent is blocked). The fan does not turn on straight away when you plug in. I found it can take 30 seconds or so to start up. With the faulty display, the blast of air is quite obvious to feel.

I bought another Thunderbolt display recently (at an authorised dealer, not an Apple Store) and made sure that they let me do this check before accepting it. Fortunately it was completely silent and no fan started running when the power was plugged in. They initially thought I wanted to check the screen itself, so at first they had it plugged in to a Macbook to show something on the screen, and they thought it was odd I wanted to check the display without anything connected - they hadn't heard of this fan problem before.

Good luck getting this sorted out!

Ben

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Answer 9

Alin_NSC

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Dec 2, 2011 10:09 AM in response to ben.hk

Thanks guys, useful info.

I've just got my Thunderbolt display yesterday and I am running into the same issue with the fan being very noisy when no MBA/MBPro are connected to it.

I've just talked with Apple support people, very nice people, but the guy I've talked to, did not know that the ThunderBolt displays have a fan.

I am planning to go to Apple store with the display and see if I can get a replacement.

Thanks,

Alin

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Answer 10

GelbTwo

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Dec 4, 2011 10:59 AM in response to GelbTwo

I called Apple Support, they had me go through the motions of resetting the PRAM and running Software Update just like @ben.hk but to no avail. So, I'm going to get a replacement Thunderbolt Display. Yay! I don't have an Apple Store in my town, so I had to take it to a local authorized service provider. Hopfully it will only be a few days until they get my replcement in.

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Answer 11

erk248

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Dec 4, 2011 7:16 PM in response to ben.hk

Any update on this from anyone? Just got a Thunderbolt Display and am hearing that obnoxious fan noise as well. Seems to be driven by the hardware. Not in any way, shape or form by the software....Second I plug it in, it pops on.

Do those that have received replacements have this issue anymore?

Curious if it is definetly specific units, in which case I'll go and replace mine.

Thanks.

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Answer 12

Dec 4, 2011 7:53 PM in response to ben.hk

I just hooked up my new TB display to a new mac mini and had the same fan noise issue. I plan I calling Apple and hope the local Apple Store has a replacement.

Only thing that works is unplugging it.

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Answer 13

erk248

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Dec 4, 2011 7:57 PM in response to matthewfromada

Weird. Mine's fine when its plugged. Not fine when its unplugged. Very ood. So inconsistent.

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Answer 14

Dec 5, 2011 11:29 PM in response to erk248

My TBD was purchased just yesterday (December 4) and the fan unfortunately spins endlessly when in sleep, off or disconnected. Needless to say, I have a genius appt to get this resolved.

What a bummer.

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Answer 15

Alin_NSC

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Dec 6, 2011 8:06 AM in response to erk248

Hello guys,

I've just got back from the Apple store with a brand new exhanged monitor. The people there were just awesome, in 5 minutes I was out of the store with the exchanged display.

The problem seems to be gone, there is no fan running when there is no MBA or MBPro connected. Everything is quite.

I just wonder if this problem seems to appear to a particular batch of displays. The initial display I've got (with the defect), I have purchased it online. Did you purchase it online as well? Just wondering if this problem seems to appear more likely to the Thunderbolts ordered online rather than those ones purchased in the store. Sounds odd anyways.

Alin

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