How do you fix a buzz noise coming from inside my laptop?

Evenodd

Member
Jul 31, 2014
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There is a buzzing sound that I can hear faintly hear from my laptop if the room is totally quiet. I can even heard it when me and my laptop are on the furthest, opposite end of my room. I can't remember when it started; it's been a long time since then. The sound isn't annoying because it's like it isn't even there anymore after you listen to it for 5 minutes or something. The buzzing seems to be coming from under my keyboard.

I plan on bringing my laptop to school, but I'm sure the buzzing will distract people around me.

I placed my phone on top of my keyboard to record the sound. I uploaded it here.

Could you please help me get rid of the buzzing?

Thanks.

EDIT: You'll have to turn the volume all the way up to hear it more clearly. It sort of sounds like "tzz-tzzzz-tz-tz" and the soft wailing is just the fan I think.
 
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Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
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I don't hear any buzzing on that recording. There is a constant but very quiet high pitched background hum. If that is what you are referring it, it is probably the cooling fan.
 

Ketchup

Elite Member
Sep 1, 2002
14,559
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The only moving parts on a laptop would be the hard drive, cooling fan, and dvd drive. The dvd drive would not run unless it is being accessed, the hard drive should be insulated enough to be unnoticeable, so it is probably the cooling fan. With most models you can find a video or manual on how to get to it so you can dust it out.
 

Matt1970

Lifer
Mar 19, 2007
12,320
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Sounds like electrical interference coming through your speakers. I used to be able to hear my cordless drill charger through my old PC speakers that sounded an awful lot like that.
 

C1

Platinum Member
Feb 21, 2008
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If it's electrical noise being picked up by the sound card (then passed to the speakers) then try disabling the sound in device manager to hear what happens. If that works then you can just re-enable the sound when you need to use it.
 

Evenodd

Member
Jul 31, 2014
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I've dusted out my cooling fan before and I remember my laptop still buzzing after it was clean. I just cleaned it out again and it is in fact still making the noise.

I disabled my sound as you said and that hasn't fixed it either.
 

ArisVer

Golden Member
Mar 6, 2011
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It could be sound that is picked up from the microphone. Zero or disable the mic and check.
 

C1

Platinum Member
Feb 21, 2008
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You'll need to determine if the noise source is electrical or mechanical. A stethoscope is great for determining this.

Also pressing on (ie, flexing) the case sometimes can help identify the issue if it is a fan.

Cool the computer down (like 40 deg F) then turn it on and listen for the offending sound. The CPU fan should be at the slowest or not even running. If there is no "buzz" then the source is most likely the fan. Eventually as the unit warms, the fan will begin to run. No mechanical fan can expect to be completely silent, particularly smaller notebook CPU ones.

Go into you BIOS & OS settings and whenever possible, choose settings which minimize power use. This keeps computer heating to a minimum and helps keep cooling fan speeds low. The side benefit too is longer battery run times.