High-pitched noise from Logitech Performance MX

Question

I have two Logitech Performance Mouse MX devices - I loved using it at home so much, that I bought one for work! While they generally excel in comfort and usability, they're both a bit annoying in that I'll occasionally notice they emit a high-pitched noise when I'm moving them.

The noise is in a range similar to the electronic whine or squeal I hear from some CRT monitors or other electronics. However, I've owned and used many mice in my lifetime - optical, laser, wired, wireless; mostly Logitech, but some not - and this is the first I've ever heard such sounds from.

It seems especially odd that the sound only happens when I move the mouse. Since it's a laser mouse, which I believe has no moving parts aside from the wheel and buttons, I don't expect it should be behaving any differently in terms of noise generation whether it is moving or stationary.

Since it happens with both mice of the same model, and they appear to be functioning fine otherwise, I don't think it's a "hardware problem" per se. But it makes me wonder what makes these unique from other mice that I've owned?

In summary, the answer to a few questions would settle my concerns here:

1. What can cause this noise in a mouse like the Logitech Performance MX?
2. Is this expected behavior for these types of mice?
3. Does the noise indicate a hardware failure, or propensity towards early failure?
4. Can I do anything to reduce the noise? Will such changes impact device performance, reliability, or warranty?

As I grew accustomed to CRT whine some time ago, I believe I can also tolerate this noise in the long run. However, if there's anything I can do to reduce the noise without impacting the device's functionality or reliability - and especially if the cause of the noise is actually something that warrants concern - I'd like to know.

Answer 1

There are others who have reported the problem to Logitech. You should checkout their support site. I'm only answering your last question because the others are ambiguous.

According to the Logitech Community forum, you can try this "short power drain procedure" to see if it resolves the issue. If not, contact support.

1. Remove the battery off the mouse.
2. Press and hold the left and right click buttons for 15 seconds.
3. Release the buttons and place the battery back properly. If possible, replace the old ones with a new single AA NiMH rechargeable battery.
4. Check if the mouse will feature the same coil noise.

Source

Answer 2

For anyone who happens to come across this post, I just worked out that I was having this problem because I was using an old rechargeable battery. Replacing it with a newer one didn't completely resolve the issue, but it made the noise much higher frequency, which I now don't notice unless I hold the mouse to my ear.

Answer 3

I found a way to get rid of that irritating hiss. Now I'm 100% happy with the product.

The way I fixed it was by loosening a bit the screws at the bottom of the mouse. The screws are positioned below the sticky plastic pads so you have to remove them. After that, there are two screws on the top pad, one on the bottom and one on the side as well. If by loosening the screws a bit you don't see an improvement try carefully to take apart the whole bottom panel and put it again back with the screws a bit loosened. I have to warn you that the build quality of the pads is terrible and if you are not careful when removing your pads might not look as good as new when you reposition them but this won't hurt the aesthetics of the mouse.

I guess the source of the problem was that a component was making contact with the bottom side of the mouse which amplified its frequency.

Answer 4

For me the only solution was go back to a ps/2 mouse, because most of the integrated sound devices share bus with the usb components, every time you move the mouse you listen that high pitch noise.

Answer 5

My MX Master will get coil whine only moving to the left and only when mouse pad isn't on perfectly flat surface.

Swapping the USB receiver port seemed to work at first and a new rechargeable battery also seemed to work at first as other answers suggested. But in the end a perfectly flat surface for the mouse pad was the ultimate solution.