Why Does My Power Supply Make Noise?

There are many possible reasons that your power supply is making noise, including a malfunctioning capacitor or fan filter, an incorrect voltage, or a manufacturing defect. Listed below are a few ways that you can fix the noise in your power supply. If none of these solutions work, try these:

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Changing capacitors

There are a number of ways to reduce power supply noise. One way is to add clamp circuits with Zener diodes. Another way is to replace a problematic capacitor with a better-performing parallel ceramic capacitor. In general, a power supply that produces noise at its output stage may be a candidate for improving the noise level by replacing the entire output stage capacitor. In addition, it may be possible to increase the capacitance of other magnetic components in the supply, such as a potted inductor. Finally, dip varnishing and potting transformers are also helpful in reducing noise. Transformers with long core lengths tend to resonate more than short ones, but they can still accommodate the number of windings needed for power supply operation.

Electrolytic capacitors are prone to leak. Power supply capacitors can make quite a bit of noise when they are first turned on. Typically, the leakage is quite large at first, but it settles down after 30 minutes of operation. During this time, you may notice a reduction in noise as the capacitors warm up. The same applies to film capacitors. If you’re replacing the power supply capacitors, make sure to warm the equipment up first before attempting any repairs.

Cleaning fan filter

A clicking noise from your PC’s power supply can be caused by its fan, which is clogged and gunked up with debris. Using compressed air, clean out the fan filter and the in-port components. A noisy power supply could be the result of something nearby, such as a disc drive, speakers, hard drive, or the motherboard. The problem is most common with older computers, which typically have clogged dust filters. Cleaning these components will reduce noise and allow the PSU to work properly.

Clogged filters can cause the power supply to overheat and click. You should never leave your PC case on the floor. Instead, place it inside an enclosed desk cabinet. Power supplies are equipped with voltage regulators to protect the components from common voltage fluctuations. However, the occasional power cut or voltage surge may cause the noise. In such situations, cleaning the fan filter before power supply makes noise may be necessary. In any case, it is recommended to keep your PC case in a safe place where it will not be disturbed.

Lowering voltage

Noise is undesired harmonic energy generated by fast changes in voltage and current. This energy can emanate from the circuitry on a power supply’s circuit board, including its PCB traces and wires and cables. Several common practices can reduce noise. Here are a few examples. Lowering voltage will make power supply noise lower. Below, we’ll examine each one of these practices in turn.

Repairing a failing power supply

A buzzing sound coming from your computer could be caused by a malfunctioning power supply. This may be the result of the unit being in the wrong position or touching a cable. You might hear this noise even if the computer is off. If you can’t isolate the noise to one component, you should check the cable management. Look for kinks and snags in the wires. If you find any of these, it may be time for a new power supply.

A failing power supply may also cause minor lockups and shutdowns. If you suspect this issue, make sure the system is not experiencing any other problems. If you suspect electrostatic discharge, you should wear an anti-static wrist strap and attach it to the case of the computer. If you can’t find any, then you should consult with a qualified technician. Remember that repairing a failing power supply may cost more than replacing it.