Nowadays, laptop computers have become a necessity for almost all people. Their compact and portable profile makes them very easy to use. However, they aren’t without their own set of problems. If your laptop is going through some rigorous days, you might suddenly observe it getting too loud and wonder what’s causing this noise.
Two primary reasons that most probably cause your laptop to give off a loud sound are fan speed and hard disk. Due to stress, blocked vents, or some software issues, the fans might be working harder than usual, while a malfunctioning hard disk could also create a loud noise.
Sometimes, little tips can help fix these problems. However, a bigger problem might require replacing those noisy and malfunctioning components.
In the following guide, we’ll enlighten you with all the information about why your laptop is making loud sounds. So, let’s dive into it.
Causes of a Loud Laptop Sound
Ideally, your laptop should not make any loud noises. However, certain factors can make your computer very loud. Luckily, if you detect what’s causing the noise, you can easily fix it. So, here are some of the most common factors making your laptop go all rowdy.
Blocked Air Vents
Cooling fans in your laptop are the only hardware that you can hear making a little sound. But when your computer gets older, dirt and dust can build up around the fans over time, blocking the air vents.
So, the fans have to spin faster to get the heat out of your laptop to avoid overheating. If you want your fans to work at a normal pace, ensure an uninterrupted airflow for your laptop.
The air vents and fans must be thoroughly cleaned, and nothing should be blocking the air passage. Always place your laptop on a hard, flat, and elevated surface so the air can easily move out of your laptop.
Running Demanding Software
When you boot up your laptop, the fan noise is almost nonexistent, but it picks pace as you continue working. The more load you put on your laptop, the more heat it will generate.
You need to keep your laptop as away from heat as possible. When your machine overheats, the fans will work aggressively to spit out all the warm air out of your laptop, causing the loud noise.
Playing demanding 3D games can also overheat your laptop. You should not run many applications on your laptop at a time to avoid excessive heating. Restarting your laptop regularly also helps keep the noise in check.
Malfunctioning Hard Drive
The other noisy component of your laptop is the spinning disk inside a hard drive. An HDD in your laptop will not last forever and will start showing its age by creating grinding noises.
The hard disk will have difficulty deciphering your data, and the noise will only increase if you leave the issue unattended. Luckily, you can always replace an old hard drive with a new one. Remember to back up all your files and data as soon as possible.
Using Outdated Drivers
If you haven’t updated the drivers on your computer, it will be using a lot of resources to perform even the simplest of tasks. Updated drivers make your laptop run efficiently, so it does not generate excessive heat leading to annoying noise.
You should always be on the lookout for driver updates on your device. If it feels like the newly installed drivers are not working properly, you can always roll back to the stable version so the laptop can run smoothly without producing loud sounds.
Viruses and Malware
You should regularly scan your device for malware and viruses, as some software can trigger looped background processes. They will suck power from your laptop and will make your fans work at a higher pace.
They can enter your computer if you launch an insecure website or connect a USB or other hardware accessories filled with viruses. Some of these viruses can hide inside your GPU, becoming unnoticeable, and use your device’s power even to mine cryptocurrency.
All these background activities will cause your laptop fans to create loud sounds to keep your laptop at a normal temperature.
How To Avoid a Loud Laptop
Following are some tips you must follow if you want a nice and smooth working laptop that doesn’t sound like a war going inside.
- Never put your laptop on a soft surface like a pillow, as it can block the air from your computer. Always place it on a hard surface.
- Restart your laptop regularly, and never put too much pressure on it if you feel like it’s overheating. Always give it some rest to cool down.
- Regularly update your laptop’s drivers to make it work efficiently.
- Always scan your device for malware. Moreover, never attach an external device to your laptop without checking for viruses.
The Takeaway
When a laptop produces excessive heat, the fans will produce a louder noise as they work aggressively to push the head outward. You must ensure a steady airflow not to let the heat get trapped inside the laptop. Sometimes, a faulty hard disk may also produce grinding noises telling you it’s time to replace it.
Dangerous viruses and malware can also run multiple processes in the background, increasing power usage and thus creating a louder laptop. Avoiding all these things can make your laptop quieter and smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re pushing your laptop too hard by running demanding applications, it’s natural for the fans to work faster and dissipate heat. However, if the noise persists even when the usage is low, you might check for any malfunctions.
Heat is a computer’s biggest enemy. If you run your laptop in a hot environment, the fans will work at their maximum potential to provide optimum performance. You much want to enable battery saver options to reduce performance in such cases.
