14 DAY TRIAL // A number of Xbox One users are reporting a strange issue with the device, where it would start making a loud noise anytime the console is in the dashboard.
Having a pretty expensive piece of hardware make weird noises might have been interpreted as a clear sign of demonic influence in the dark ages, but thankfully, the miracle (actually, quite the opposite) of modern science reveals that some electronic devices fall prey to a phenomenon known as coil noise, or, more flavorful, coil whine.
Early sightings
The issue has mostly been reported for Kinect-less SKUs and seems to have become widespread after a recent firmware update, although there have been reports of this as early as November 22, 2013, when the home console was first released to the public.
Most of the reports, though, seem to come since after the Kinect-less variant of the Xbox One was released in June, with many people reporting going through 3 or 4 different units at various retailers before giving up in exasperation and returning the consoles altogether.
Some users report that the problem is caused by the Kinect sensor, or rather by the lack of it, mentioning that upon removing the piece of hardware, the Xbox One would start emitting weird sounds, "like a noisy hard drive making access noises," or "minor clicking."
"It goes away when you run a game but returns when you go back to the home menu and exit from the game. Loads of people have reported this issue so you are not alone," a user writes on the Xbox forums.
For the time being, Microsoft is reportedly ignoring reports on the Xbox support forums or advising people to get their hardware replaced, which would indicate that the company thinks that it's a hardware issues with some of the models on the market.
Although the reports number several hundreds in the forums, there is no official statement on the matter, reflecting whether it's a more serious underlying issue, a specific batch of hardware malfunctioning, or a conflict caused by software.
No solution in sight
While the company keeps quiet about the matter, many unsatisfied customers are reporting taking their consoles back and going for the PlayStation 4 instead, after the fourth or seventh Xbox One they return, and after trying several different retailers.
Although the issue might be only a minor glitch caused by software/hardware incompatibility which Microsoft seeks to address in an upcoming patch, the lack of a clear answer regarding the issue is making a lot of people move away from the Xbox One or reconsider their purchase.
Some users, however, have also reported that having their console replaced seemed to fix the issue, so there's still hope:
"Hey guys, just wanted to report back with an update. I ended up doing an advanced exchange like Misses Quinzel suggested. Got the console in 3 business days. Hooked it up today and it is completely SILENT even after all updates! I suggest to all of you guys to have your machine repaired or do the advanced exchange for a new one."
