Have you noticed that your computer is making a lot more noise than it used to? This can be quite troubling, considering how much we rely on our computers and how much they cost. There are a few reasons why your computer could be making such a racket and quickly identifying them could save your computer.
Dusty Fans
Dust is a very common culprit when it comes to a computer making noise. Over time, dust can collect in the cooling fan of your computer, causing it to spin faster in order to compensate for the blockage. This not only makes for a loud computer but it also puts wear and tear on the hardware. To remedy this, carefully open the computer and use a can of compressed air to blow out the dust. If the air is going directly on the fan, make sure that it spins in the direction of its normal rotation. If you are not comfortable opening a computer by yourself, call a professional.
Blocked Vent
This issue typically occurs with laptops. When you use a laptop on your lap or another soft surface like a couch, the material can block the vents and reduce their airflow. This causes the fan to speed up. Moving the laptop to a desk will likely solve the issue.
Strained Resources
Another potential reason for your computer making noise is that its system is overloaded. When you are doing multiple things on your computer that eat up a bunch of memory, it puts a strain on your system which heats it up. To cool down the computer, the fans work extra hard and get noisy. This can be solved by only doing one resource-intensive task at a time and closing out any unnecessary programs.
Hard Drive Failure
A computer making noise isn’t always caused by issues with the cooling fan. Sometimes it is the hard drive that makes grinding, spinning or clicking sounds. If you hear these, backup all of your data as soon as possible – as your hard drive may be about to fail. After backing up, your only next move is to replace the hard drive.
Other Fixes
You may also be able to quiet your computer down is by using third party software in order to change the speed of the fan. These programs will slow down the fan but this reduced volume will result in increased heat and a shorter lifespan of the computer.
For Mac users, it could be possible that resetting the system management controller (SMG) will help with the noisiness. The SMG controls many of Mac computers’ functions and resetting it may fix an overactive fan.
You could also use an additional cooling system for your computer, such as an attachable fan or a cooling pad. However, reducing the heat of the system is only a ‘band-aid fix.’ You should have everything checked out by a trained and certified professional if you are dealing with a computer making noise.
Quieting Down a Computer Making Noise
If you feeling frustrated and wondering why your computer is so loud, it might be time to enlist the services of an experienced IT service provider. Unless you are an IT professional, chances are some of these tasks are out of your comfort zone. Don’t worry, Bay Computing & Consulting Services has you covered.
We are here to help you with your technology issue when you need us. We will give your home or business computer the full treatment and vastly improve its performance. We offer the very best in IT networking, server support, data recovery, PC repair, virus removal, consulting and more. We can even repair your computer from afar with remote support. For a silent, blazing fast computer, contact us today.