Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 (PHN18-71) is making noise out of the box

I hate to be the one to be paranoid and uncertain so close after a previous problem has been dealt with. But my 18-71 predator's cpu fan is making a humming/whirring noise with what-ever fan-speed it has. The sound becomes more aggressive/louder if the rpm goes up. Or the pitch changes. It doesn't sound obstructed, not does the sound come paired with any vibrations. It's just…..concerning to me, that a brand new laptop, out of the box, comes with these kinds of fan-sounds.

Now I could ignore it, sure, but I just want to know if its normal that fans can be heard even when the airflow is minimal or just not audible. I don't want this to be the THIRD laptop I need to churn through the retail mill in hopes to get one without any issues. I just want a working, flawless laptop, is that to much to ask for?

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Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/723998/acer-predator-helios-neo-18-phn18-71-is-making-noise-out-of-the-box

Hi, update Bios to version 1.16 dated 2025/02/06 and select Quiet mode in Predator Sense. Use Best Power Efficiency in Power & Battery settings.

Xiapher

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1337391#Comment_1337391

Did all of this. Didn't work. So I think its a hardware issue.

Axxo

Fixing Acer Predator Helios 18 PH18-71 Audio Problems

First uninstall DTS:X Ultra and DTS Sound Unbound to fix audio video sync issues.

Second use Microsoft’s High Definition Audio Device driver (10.0.22621.2506 - 10/19/2023) to fix clipping and distortion.

1 Right click on start menu and select Device Manager

2 Scroll down and expand Sound, video, and game controllers

3 Right click on Realtek Audio and select Uninstall device

4 Select Attempt to remove the driver for this device. and click on Uninstall

5 The computer will require a reboot

6 Go back to Device Manager and click on Scan for hardware changes from the toolbar

7 Right click on Realtek Audio and select Update driver

8 Click on Browser my computer for drivers

9 Click on Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer

10 Unselect Show compatible hardware

11 Under Manufacture click on Microsoft

12 Under Model click on Microsoft High Definition Audio Device Version: 10.0.22621.2506 [10/19/2023]

13 Click on Next

14 Click on Yes on Update Driver Warning

15 Click on Close

Third enable 24 bit audio.

1 From the start menu search type mmsys.cpl and hit Enter

2 With headphones unplugged right click on Speakers and select Properties

3 Click on the Advanced tab and change the default format to 24 bit

4 Click on OK

5 Plug in headphones and right click on Headphones and select Properties

6 Click on the Advanced tab and change the default format to 24

7 Click on OK

8 Click on OK

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If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful.

Xiapher

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1337403#Comment_1337403

Its not an audio problem though, its a cpu fan problem. I'm going back to the retailer tomorrow to see if a 2nd version of the same machine fares better.

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