27" Thunderbolt Display Fan noise

Question

Level 1

5 points

27" Thunderbolt Display Fan noise

Hi all,

I have a macbook pro late 2012 and just baugt a brand new 27" thunderbolt display. When I connect to the macbook, I noticed that the fan of the thunderbolt display first runns full speeed for about 10 sec and then slows down a bit but keeps running constantly, creating disturbing noise, which causes a headache after a while. I have a colleague with the same configuration and his display is quiet - no fan running.

Is there anything that can be done to correct this? Many thanks for your help.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), 27" Thunderbolt Display

Posted on Jan 12, 2014 3:19 AM

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Answer 1

braden85

Community Specialist

Jan 14, 2014 8:42 AM in response to selzers

Hey selzers!

Make sure you have this firmware update installed:

Thunderbolt Display Firmware Update v1.1

http://support.apple.com/kb/dl1453

Thanks for coming to the Apple Support Communities!

Cheers,

Braden

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Answer 2

selzers Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 14, 2014 9:41 AM in response to braden85

Thanks. I tried to install it but "it is not needed for my screed" - a message said. So, I brought the back to the reseller yesterday and got an other one. All perfect now 🙂

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Answer 3

braden85

Community Specialist

Jan 14, 2014 2:50 PM in response to selzers

I'm glad you were able to find a solution, selzers! Thanks for being a part of the Apple Support Communities!

Cheers,

Braden

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Answer 4

Nov 20, 2014 5:08 AM in response to selzers

Hi selzers,

Could you please let me know which other one you installed? i am facing the same issue...

Thanks in advance!

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Answer 5

Sep 3, 2016 8:57 AM in response to QaisarSchem

This is a recurring problem in about 30% of Thunderbolt monitors (sample size of several dozen). Sometimes it can take a year or more to manifest itself, taking it out of warranty. I think Apple should release new firmware that at least allows a user to control the fan and/or monitor the temperature. Lugging a Thunderbolt monitor, in its suitcase-sized box, down to the Apple Store, and waiting a week to have the fan replaced for $100, only to have the problem recur (sometimes), is really EXPENSIVE in terms of time and FRUSTRATION.

I am sorry that Apple is discontinuing the 27" Thunderbolt monitor, but I think Apple should support the installed base, if only because those of us who spend $1000/monitor do it because we are accustomed to Apple's usual high quality and reliability -- and this fan noise is just unacceptable. I apologize if I seem irritable in this post, but I *just* had another Thunderbolt monitor start making that annoying noise -- now I have to disconnect it from my fully loaded Mac Pro, and work with only two monitors while it has its fan replaced.

Can this be fixed with another firmware update, or is there a design flaw in the monitor?

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Answer 6

djdafman

Level 1

4 points

Sep 21, 2016 1:49 PM in response to predicticare

I have the same problem. Utterly annoying and embarrassing. It is hard to focus on work with this continuous rumbling noise. Would be nice if there was any solution other then obvious Firmware update 1.1.

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