Unlike your computer, which is susceptible to hardware and software problems, you know that any problem with your power supply unit (PSU) is hardware related. While power supply noise is fairly common in older PSU models, newer models are generally quieter, and persistent noise usually indicates that something is bad and is due for repair.
We’ll outline five of the most common reasons why your PSU is making noise. We’ll also explain how you can tune your PSU to eliminate noise and keep it working at its best.
Five Reasons Your PSU Is Making Noise
In a typical machine, once the machine starts working and generating heat inside its internal components, its fan will suck in cool ambient air through its vents and cool the machine’s internal components. ga before it expels the hot air through its outlet vent. The PSU follows this process and completes it silently most of the time.
You can usually trace the noise to the fan in your power supply unit. It becomes noisy when the fan works harder to remove heat from the PSU. Whether the cooling fan is generating excess heat or something is blocking the airflow, everything revolves around the fan. We’ve come up with five common reasons why your PSU is making noise.
Screws are not properly tightened
Screws help attach the internal components of the power supply unit to the case. This is necessary for moving parts in the PSU, such as fans, to achieve smooth rotational motion.
When the screws are loose or missing, the fan vibrates more often, and the moving parts move out of position. Loose or missing screws can cause the power supply unit to make noise. A loose or missing screw in the PSU is more common than you might think and relatively easy to fix.
Impediments on the PSU fan
Although the protective fan grill protects the fan blades, we cannot rule out the possibility that an obstruction has reached the blades and is causing noise in the power supply. An obstruction can be a foreign object that has made its way through the fan grill or an internal component that has become entangled with the fan blades.
Clogged vents
When a PSU supplies power to a computer, it generates a certain amount of heat. The closer the PSU is to its maximum capacity, the more heat it generates. The PSU fan then sucks in air from the environment through its inlet vent and cools its internal components before expelling the heated air through the outlet vent.
This is a simple process and usually goes without a hitch, but problems arise when the vents are blocked by dust, debris, and other obstructions, which block or restrict the passage of air. To solve this problem, the fan starts overworking itself to dissipate the heat build up inside the PSU. The faster the fan works, the louder the PSU makes.
Fan of PSU
When your fan has been operating for a long time without proper maintenance, you run the risk of wearing it out. Near the end of its cycle, the fan is usually noisy when operating. A worn fan has a hard time cooling the power supply unit, and is a possible cause of PSU noise.
Running power-intensive programs on your computer
For best performance, do not push or exceed your PSU capacity limits. When you run power-intensive programs on your PC, the PSU has to work at its capacity to provide more power. More heat is generated, and the fan has to run faster to cool the PSU.
When the computer needs more power than the PSU can provide, the fan itself will have to do more work, and this can cause your power supply unit to start making noise. This happens even when you have been running your PSU for a long time without rest. For best results, allow your PSU to rest for a few hours, and do not exceed its wattage limit.
How to fix a noisy PSU
Here are some fixes for the most common causes of a noisy PSU. Let’s go through them one by one.
Tighten loose screws
Once you realize that a loose or missing screw in your PSU is causing the noise, get a screwdriver and tighten the loose screw. Check the internal and external components of your PSU and fix any missing screws. Make sure it is well tightened in the PSU case.
Remove obstructions to the fan
If it is an external obstruction, remove it without disassembling the PSU. If the obstruction is internal, detach the PSU with a screwdriver, remove the obstruction, and reconnect the PSU.
Clean the vents
With a screwdriver, a can of compressed air, and some cotton buds, you can remove dust or debris from the vents and allow air to flow properly in and out of the PSU. You should do this regularly to maintain the PSU and not just when it is damaged.
Replace a broken fan
If your fan has reached the end of its life cycle, take it to a technician for replacement.
Do not overwork or overload your PSU
If you realize that your computer needs more power than your PSU, get a new PSU, or don’t run power intensive games on your computer using the PSU. You should also allow your PSU to rest at intervals so that you are not overworking it.
Final Thought:
A noisy PSU is usually caused by a malfunction that needs to be fixed. Thankfully, this article explains the common causes and how to fix them. Some of these fixes require disassembling the PSU. To be safe, consult a professional if you cannot disassemble your PSU.