Question:

What causes a laptop charger to make buzzing noises and how can I fix it?

I have a Beelink AMD Ryzen 9 Mini PC GTR5 5900HX and a Huntley charger (model unknown). When I was using my laptop, I heard a loud buzzing sound from the charger. I turned off the laptop and unplugged the charger immediately. I am worried that the charger might cause a fire hazard, as my room has many flammable items. Is there a way to repair the charger or should I replace it or take it to a professional?

Answer:

Laptop chargers are essential devices that allow us to use our laptops without worrying about battery life. However, sometimes they can make annoying or even alarming noises, such as buzzing, hissing, crackling, or clicking. What do these noises mean and how can we fix them?

In this article, we will explain the possible causes of laptop charger noises, how to diagnose them, and how to solve them. We will also use a real-life example of a user who has a Beelink AMD Ryzen 9 Mini PC GTR5 5900HX and a Huntley charger (model unknown) that makes a loud buzzing sound.

Possible causes of laptop charger noises

There are several factors that can cause a laptop charger to make noises, some of them are harmless and some of them are dangerous. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Regular electricity sounds: Laptop chargers use transformers to convert the alternating current (AC) from the wall outlet to the direct current (DC) that the laptop needs. Transformers use electromagnetic coils to induce voltage changes, and these coils can vibrate and produce a low hum or whine. This is normal and does not indicate a problem with the charger or the laptop .
• Kinks and loose connections: Sometimes, the wires or cables inside the charger or the laptop can become loose or kinked due to wear and tear, bending, or twisting. This can create gaps or breaks in the circuit, which can cause sparks or arcing. These sparks or arcs can generate a crackling or clicking sound, and they can also damage the charger or the laptop over time .
• Damaged charger: If the charger has suffered any physical damage, such as cracks, breaks, burns, or corrosion, it can affect its performance and safety. A damaged charger can have a short circuit, which means that the electricity flows through an unintended path, creating heat and noise. A short circuit can cause a loud buzzing or hissing sound, and it can also pose a fire hazard or an electric shock risk .
• Old charger: As the charger ages, its components can degrade and lose their efficiency. This can result in lower output voltage, higher resistance, and higher heat generation. An old charger can make a louder hum or whine than a new one, and it can also fail to charge the laptop properly or damage the battery .
• Off-brand charger: If the charger is not the original one that came with the laptop, or if it is not compatible with the laptop’s specifications, it can cause problems. An off-brand charger can have a different output voltage, current, or polarity than the laptop requires, which can damage the laptop or the battery. An off-brand charger can also have lower quality standards, which can result in poor performance and safety issues .

How to diagnose laptop charger noises

If you hear any noise from your laptop charger, you should try to identify the source and the type of the noise. Here are some steps you can follow to diagnose laptop charger noises:

• Check the charger and the cables: Examine the charger and the cables for any signs of physical damage, such as cracks, breaks, burns, or corrosion. Also, check if the cables are firmly connected to the charger and the laptop, and if there are any kinks or twists in the wires. If you find any damage or loose connections, you should replace the charger or the cables as soon as possible .
• Check the wall outlet: Try plugging the charger into a different wall outlet and see if the noise persists. If the noise stops, it means that the original outlet is faulty or overloaded. You should avoid using that outlet and contact an electrician to fix it. If the noise continues, it means that the outlet is not the problem and the charger is the source of the noise .
• Check the laptop: Try using a different charger that is compatible with your laptop and see if the noise persists. If the noise stops, it means that the original charger is faulty or incompatible. You should replace the charger with a new one that matches your laptop’s specifications. If the noise continues, it means that the charger is not the problem and the laptop is the source of the noise .
• Check the type of the noise: Listen carefully to the noise and try to determine its type and intensity. If the noise is a low hum or whine that is constant and not very loud, it is probably normal and harmless. If the noise is a loud buzzing or hissing that varies in pitch and volume, it is probably abnormal and dangerous. If the noise is a crackling or clicking that occurs randomly and intermittently, it is also abnormal and dangerous .

How to fix laptop charger noises

Depending on the cause and the type of the noise, there are different ways to fix laptop charger noises. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Replace the charger or the cables: If the noise is caused by physical damage, loose connections, old age, or incompatibility, the best solution is to replace the charger or the cables with new ones that are compatible with your laptop. This will ensure that your laptop receives the correct voltage and current, and that your charger works safely and efficiently .
• Use a surge protector or a power conditioner: If the noise is caused by fluctuations or disturbances in the electricity supply, such as surges, spikes, or noise, you can use a surge protector or a power conditioner to protect your charger and your laptop. A surge protector will prevent excess voltage from reaching your charger and damaging it. A power conditioner will filter out any noise or interference from the electricity and provide a stable and clean output .
• Contact a professional: If the noise is caused by a short circuit or a faulty transformer, you should not attempt to fix it yourself, as you may risk electrocution or fire. You should contact a professional technician or electrician to inspect and repair your charger. You should also stop using the charger until it is fixed, as it may damage your laptop or cause a fire .

A real-life example of laptop charger noise

To illustrate the above points, let us use a real-life example of a user who has a laptop charger noise problem. The user has a Beelink AMD Ryzen 9 Mini PC GTR5 5900HX and a Huntley charger (model unknown) that makes a loud buzzing sound. The user describes the noise as follows:

• The sound is a low “buzz” or “fizz”, sawtooth sound, a little like crickets (cicadas), or like a lower-pitched constant version of the sound of a fizzy coke bottle being opened.
• It is much louder when the laptop is connected. When the charger is connected to the mains but the laptop unplugged, the user can hear a fizzing sound only with their ear very close to the charger.
• There are occasional random “click” or “tick” sounds. If these were more frequent, they would sound like a crackle. They happen once or twice every 10-30 seconds.
• It seems to get very slowly louder the longer the laptop is plugged in.
• The sound changes when the laptop is turned on. It stops being constant (like crickets) and becomes quieter, lower pitch, and more erratic.

Based on this description, we can infer that the noise is abnormal and dangerous, and that it is caused by a short circuit or a faulty transformer in the charger. The user should follow these steps to fix the problem:

• Check the charger and the cables for any signs of physical damage, such as cracks, breaks, burns, or corrosion. If any damage is found, replace the charger or the cables immediately.
• Check the wall outlet by plugging the charger into a different outlet and see if the noise persists. If the noise stops, avoid using the original outlet and contact an electrician to fix it. If the noise continues, proceed to the next step.
• Check the laptop by using a different charger that is compatible with the laptop and see if the noise persists. If the noise stops, replace the original charger with a new one that matches the laptop’s specifications. If the noise continues, contact a professional technician to inspect and repair the laptop.
• Contact a professional technician or electrician to inspect and repair the original charger. Do not use the charger until it is fixed, as it may damage the laptop or cause a fire.

Conclusion

Laptop

charger noises can be annoying or alarming, depending on their cause and type. Some noises are normal and harmless, while others are abnormal and dangerous. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can diagnose and fix laptop charger noises, or prevent them from happening in the first place. Remember to always use compatible and high-quality chargers and cables, and to contact a professional if you are unsure or in doubt. This way, you can enjoy using your laptop without worrying about charger noises.