Thunderbolt Display fan runs continuously in sleep mode

My defective display was purchased online, the exchanged display from the store worked fine. Well possible that the ones ordered online are more likely to be from a bad batch. If you want to buy a new one, maybe go to a store to be safe.

Mine was from online as well. Called Applecare yesterday and I'm going to set up an appointment when I get a chance next week. From all accounts, seems like it should be a pleasant experience.

Here's hoping nothing else happens with it.

Thanks for the additional information folks, mine was purchased at Best Buy. Looking forward to see what Apple has to say about my display.

Received mine today; it was Apple Online order. Same issue 😟 at least a quick search landed me to this thread where everyone has provided helpful info 🙂 so I figured I add my 2 cents here too and a tip when calling up anyone Apple for support - most often than not, the quality of support/service still comes down to the person you happen to have on the other end of the phone (or in-person), so keep at it or ask for a second person to talk to.

Here's what happened with my experience just now:

I just got off the phone with a local Apple retail store. After few initial minutes of rather frustrating conversation with a general floor sales guy (he has not heard about this problem, at least he admitted he is not a certified Apple technician) where he first tried to send me to call Apple Online to handle the exchange, saying the inventory systems are separate, blah blah blah... I kept insisting that others in the same situation got exchange from retail store. So I ended up asking if there is anyone else whom I could talk to, like a store manager or at least a genius who may have heard of this issue and know what to do.

He was polite all the way which is a good sign of Apple service training doing at least that part. He asked to put me on hold while he gets help from a genius. About 1 minute later, he came back on and asked me when I received my unit. I told him "today, after a 1 week wait for shipment to arrive" (by the way, I did tell him in the very beginning I just got it today and hooked it up and hear the fan going full tilt before I even plugged in my MBP). He then said that since it's within 14 days, I can bring that unit to the store and have it exchanged.

I thanked him and told him I expect to be opening up the new unit in the store and make sure it's OK before I take it home. He said he understands. The support call ended up with me still a happy Apple customer, once again anticipating to have a brand new Thunderbolt Display to use SOON!!!!

Returned my online purchase today to local Apple store. tested it in-store before I brought it home. Works as it should. Quiet, no more fan noise.

I wonder if this is a problem with specific batch or shipping since my was also an online order.

Hi,

I just wanted to add my experience to the pot.

I just bought 2 Thunderbolt Displays, and BOTH have the Fan Problem.

I bought them both through the online Apple Store, specifically because I hate going to my local Apple store. I had no desire to go to the mall and walk an additional mile inside it to buy two of these 40 pound Thunderbolt beasts. Also my local store is so crowded every day, all day, that you can't even move around.

So they were delivered a few days ago. I set them up, and the fan problem started immediately. It did not go away, even with all software and firmware upgrades applied to both my Mac and the Thunderbolt Displays. It is exactly as follows:

1. When the Thunderbolt Display is plugged into the wall and there is no computer attached, the Thunderbolt Display fan runs at full speed forever.

2. When the Thunderbolt Display is plugged into a compatible Mac, the Thunderbolt Display fan stops and everything is normal.

3. When the Mac goes to sleep or is put to sleep, the Thunderbolt Display fans go full speed again forever.

4. When the Mac is disconnected from the Thunderbolt Display, the fans go full speed again forever.

I called Apple and arranged a return/exchange. So, on the way are 2 new Thunderbolt Displays, and I'm packing the 2 bad ones up to send back.

Hopefully the 2 on the way will not have the same problem. Hopefully I will not be forced to go to the mall for a local exchange.

Update: got my replacement unit at a local Apple Store today. Tested it right at the store before I left, now using it at home with my MBP, loving it!!

What happened on my visit today: a Genius staff looked at my defective unit and I showed him the issue; he has heard of this but never seen one. Seemed to me they KNOW about this and probably % is somewhat low in grand scheme of thing. He verified the issue as I claimed, then brought up a new unit from the back and did a straight swap.

Hello all, quick update. I made it to the Apple store today for my Genius appointment and all is now good with the replacement display that Apple exchanged out. They were super fast and helpful, no issues whatsoever. Definitely happy, kudos to Apple

Same story for me. The original display exhibited the 'always on' power issue. After a call to apple support and a trip to the local apple store, I have a replacement display that works properly.

I'm glad I live near an apple store. Total time on problem about 3 hours. The apple support folks and the apple store folks were all very professional.

The final step was to transfer my apple care contract to the new display's serial number.

Satisfied customer 🙂

I also had this issue. Purchased online. I found that applying the recently release firmware v1.1 upgrade for the Thunderbolt display fixed the problem. No longer does the fan rev up and stay on when I disconnect my MBP.

Yay!

-Mike

p.s. Here is the KB article link: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1453

Update: I've finally recieved my replacment Thunderbolt Display and I'm happy to report that it does not have the fan noise issue. (Though I'm glad to hear that there is now a Firmware Update that fixes it.) I ended up having to get my replacement shipped directly from Apple, after an absolutly terrible experience with a local authorized service provider.