Last Updated on February 24, 2023 by Ali Raza
When the laptop makes buzzing noise, you can’t focus on anything while working. The laptop is a great way to stay in touch with your family, friends, and workers, but sometimes it makes weird noises, and many wonder what causes the noise.
It depends mainly on what type of sound is produced by your laptop. Does it sound like a vibration or an electrical buzz? Do your laptop’s fans rotate faster and louder than usual? Does it have a grinding sound?
If you have been using a laptop for many years, you’ll probably know why your laptop makes buzzing noise. Usually, the laptops make a buzzing noise due to the CPU fan. In this article, you’ll learn what causes your laptop to make weird noises and how to fix it.
Before using noise-canceling earbuds or headphones, check the potential issue from where the weird noise is coming. Once you fix the problem, your laptop will work better and more effectively than before.
Types of Sound
You can hear some background noise when using a laptop; however, it can be very confusing if the laptop begins to make noise on its own. It is a warning that your laptop requires your attention, and while it may not be a significant problem, it is still something you should consider as a precaution. The following is a list of the various kinds of noises that your laptops can create:
Clicking sound
Most older laptops and computers have a traditional hard disc drive installed. Your laptop will begin to make an odd clicking noise as it ages. This is a very low-pitched sound; you are not immediately aware of it, but you’ll be aware of it over time.
The hard drive’s read-write actuator is being reset, which causes this noise to occur. It can happen for multiple reasons, such as data corruption, a scratched disc, and a malfunctioning drive head.
High Pitched Whine
Coil whine is typically the cause of high pitch whining sound from your laptop. Most of this sound comes from your coil’s fast vibrations as electricity flows through it. Under excessive load, the noise frequently becomes louder. Coil whining is a potential complication of a few parts but is not a severe issue. Usually, only powerful laptops with specialized graphics cards exhibit this issue.
Loud Buzzing Noise
One of the most frequent issues you can see in a laptop is when your laptop makes buzzing noise when it turns on. This noise is very loud and disturbing, but it is not particularly dangerous. It’s common for the cooling fan to make noise because dust has gotten stuck in it. When your laptop gets hot, these fans must work harder, raising the sound level.
The Weird Noises coming from the Speakers
Speakers are used to produce sound. On the other hand, sometimes your laptop will start making a strange hissing sound even when you aren’t playing anything. Most of the time, the shielding in the speaker cable is damaged.
Grinding noise
The most concerning sound a laptop could generate is a grinding sound. When the read/write head of the hard drive touches the disc, you can listen to this sound. Most likely, this will cause irreparable harm to the disc. However, hard drives seldom die suddenly like this. A clicking noise will typically come from your HDD before the drive fails.
Most Common Causes of Laptop makes Buzzing Noise and How to Fix it?
The laptop’s buzzing noise is either due to a fault in the CPU unit, which is the most mobile part of the laptop. Laptops usually consist of only one fan, while desktop has both CPU and graphic card fans. It is due to a lack of space in the laptop that’ll probably help you identify the potential issue of your laptop making a buzzing noise.
Your laptop makes buzzing noise which is caused by a hardware problem. But to detect which hardware part is malfunctioning is difficult. In PC, you can put your face against the PC to know where the noise arises. But this is not the case in laptops because all the parts are packed closely.
There are multiple reasons why your laptop makes buzzing noise. Here are a few of them:
Dirty Fans
The most common cause of the laptop makes buzzing noise is a dusty or dirty fan. Over time the fans of laptops get dirty due to dust accumulation, which causes them trouble cooling your laptop or PC. As a result, laptop fans spin faster and produce a buzzing or whirring sound.
Similarly, if a laptop or personal computer lacks adequate airflow, the fans must work harder than necessary, resulting in a louder sound. It also occurs when you place your laptop directly on your bed or over a pillow.
How to fix it?
The best way to clean dusty fans is to go over them once with a dust blower or an electric duster. Avoid using a hairdryer unless it has a cool option, as the hot air from the dryer could potentially damage the device’s internal components.
In addition, if you have significant knowledge of technology, you can disassemble your system and clean the dust manually. The best method is with a cloth made with microfiber and light pressure. The fans are constructed of plastic, so they are flexible but also readily breakable.
Fans should have enough space around them to make sure clean air can flow through. Instead of resting your laptop on a pillow or bed, you should use a laptop stand. Keep them clean regardless of whether or not you hear your laptop makes buzzing noise.
If you let dirt and dust accumulate inside your laptop for an extended period, it could lead to more severe problems. Even after cleaning the fan thoroughly, you will need to get a new one if it makes a lot of noise.
Loose screws and cables
Unsecured screws and cables are another potential reason for the laptop makes buzzing noise. It usually doesn’t happen, but if one of the wires gets loose, it is repeatedly hit by a fan, creating a rapid or buzzing-clicking sound.
If the screw is not securely locked might cause the construction of the casing to become misaligned, which in turn may cause the fans to get somewhat dislodged. If a fan isn’t rotating in place, it can oscillate against other parts and make a soft buzzing or rattling sound.
How to fix it?
To repair cables that have become loose, you will need to open your computer, remove the wires from your fans, and then secure them, so they do not fall back into place.
To repair screws that are loose, tightening them should be sufficient. Ensure that the casing is aligned correctly beforehand if doing so is required.
It is important to note that this task is noticeably more straightforward on desktops than laptops. You can also lose the laptop’s warranty if you mess with its internal parts.
Faulty DVD/CD-ROM
DVDs and CD-ROMs make a soft buzzing sound when they are in use. This happens because when a CD or DVD is put inside the device and read, it spins quickly. Most of the time, this noise isn’t too loud or bothersome.
If the device is damaged, it can make very loud buzzing and crackling sounds. Dust in a DVD/CD with severe scratches or cracks can potentially cause it to malfunction or even crash. This is probably one of the most common reasons your laptop makes buzzing noise.
How to fix it?
To repair a damaged DVD or CD-ROM, follow these steps:
- After opening the DVD/CD-ROM, you should clean it with a dust blower
- Take out any CDs or DVDs you may have and inspect them for cracks or scratches. You should stop using the disc and throw it away if it is present
- If the disc is still undamaged, use a cloth made of microfiber to wipe it off and eliminate any dust particles
- Check whether the device is still producing noises after you have removed and cleaned the disc and reinserted it. If the answer is yes, the laptop has some defect, and you will need to fix or replace it
- However, it is essential to remember that if you hear the laptop makes buzzing noise arising from the device, even if no disc has been placed, you should contact a specialist as soon as possible
Failing Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
The typical noise made by a hard drive is a quiet hum or clicking. There are many moving parts in the HDD; therefore, this happens. These parts can make a noticeable buzzing, whizzing, or grinding noise if they wear out or come in contact with each other under the right conditions. Also, there is a dull thump that repeats at regular intervals.
How to fix it?
Your hard drive (HDD) is failing, which might happen at any time. It’s not easy to predict when this may happen, so it’s best to back up your files and replace the drive as soon as possible. And most preferable is a Solid State Drive (SSD) with no moving parts and better longevity than other parts.
But how can you tell if your laptop makes buzzing noise due to the HDD? Another problem with failing HDDs is their slow reading and writing time. It is also possible that some of your data on the drive has become corrupted.
Should you get a new laptop or try to mend the one that’s making noise?
Suppose your laptop is still producing strange noises like buzzing or grinding, despite everything you’ve done to it. Many models are available that won’t make nearly as much noise as that. Even better, they are probably more powerful than the computer you now have and are probably more economical.
Nevertheless, all you need to do is give it the proper care and inspect it regularly to ensure there is no dust on the inside. If you do that, you can be sure that the laptop will make noise for a significant time.
Final Thoughts
The buzzing sound from the laptop is not only annoying but also a sign that something is wrong and needs to be fixed. After cleaning it thoroughly or waiting for it to stop working so hard, your fan might become quieter.
First, clear off the dust from your fan, and then count the number of apps operating in the background. If you take care of all these issues and follow the instructions, you should be able to get your laptop functioning regularly and silently in a concise amount of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does your laptop makes buzzing noise?
If your laptop’s fans are running louder or more often than usual, there may be a problem with the air flowing through or cooling down your computer. Checking for dust and blockages is one way to keep your computer’s temperature down, but you can also move it away from a wall or manage applications that use many resources.
Why do laptop speakers make a buzzing sound?
If the sound from your laptop speakers is scratchy or otherwise messed up, this could be a sign of several software or hardware problems. Changing the volume settings or ensuring the computer’s device drivers are current can solve many of these issues.
How do you stop your laptop from making noise?
If your laptop’s fan is too loud, you can fix it in a few easy steps:
- Stop processes from keeping the fan from making noise
- Keep your computer from getting too hot
- Get your laptop clean
- Use software to change the speed of your laptop’s fan
- Change the fan on your computer
- Get a professional to take a look at the noisy laptop fan
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