Why Is My Computer Making a Strange Noise?
A new fan, clicking, grinding, or buzzing sound can have different causes. Learn what common computer noises may mean and what you can safely check first.
What’s happening?
Computers make some normal sounds. A fan may become louder when the computer is working hard, and a brief change in fan speed is not necessarily a sign that something is broken.
A new or unusual clicking, grinding, scraping, rattling, or repeated buzzing sound deserves more attention. The type of sound, when it happens, and whether the computer is also running hot, freezing, restarting, or showing errors can provide useful clues.
Common causes
- A cooling fan is running faster because the computer is warm or busy.
- Dust or an obstruction is affecting airflow or a fan.
- A fan may be worn or beginning to fail.
- A mechanical hard drive may be developing a problem.
- A loose or failing hardware component may be vibrating or making noise.
- An attached device may be making the sound rather than the computer itself.
Things you can safely try
- Notice when the sound occurs. Does it happen at startup, when opening a program, during a video, or all the time? A sound that appears only when the computer is working hard can point to a different cause than constant clicking or grinding.
- Check the computer’s surroundings. Make sure vents are not covered and that a laptop is sitting on a firm surface rather than a bed, blanket, or couch. Do not block the airflow around a desktop computer.
- Listen for the type of sound. A smooth whooshing fan sound is different from repeated clicking, grinding, scraping, or rattling. If you can safely do so, note the sound or record a short video to show a technician.
- Disconnect a recently added external device. If the noise started after connecting a new USB device, external drive, dock, or other accessory, safely disconnect it and see whether the sound changes.
- Back up important files if the computer is still working normally. This is especially important when a new clicking or grinding sound is accompanied by freezing, missing files, or other signs of possible storage trouble.
Stop here
Stop using the computer and get help if you smell burning, see smoke, notice a swollen battery, feel unusually high heat, hear severe grinding, or see other signs of physical damage.
If a new clicking or grinding sound is happening along with crashes, freezing, missing files, or repeated restarts, avoid repeatedly forcing the computer to restart. Protect important data first and have the computer checked.
Do not open the computer, remove internal parts, or attempt to repair a power supply or swollen battery yourself.
Still having trouble?
You don’t have to figure it out alone.
LoTyde Tech Assistance provides friendly, patient technology help for residents throughout Indiana County and surrounding communities.
If you’ve tried the basic checks steps and still need help, we’re here to help.
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