While fans in your laptop spin faster when there is more heat to dispel, some laptops are naturally louder, so do not be too alarmed if you have such a computer. However, you have a problem on your hands once your laptop starts sounding like a jet engine.
Modern laptops are well-designed to stay cool with the fans doing their job efficiently; hence they are not loud. High-performing laptops can handle all your work and entertainment needs easy peasy. You will barely hear the fans running loud when everything is running smoothly.
However, let’s focus on when things go wrong and answer the question, why does my laptop sound like a jet engine?
Why Does My Laptop Sound Like A Jet Engine? (Quick Answer!)
Your laptop sounds like a jet engine because the cooling fans are dirty, the fan blade or fan motor is faulty, or the air vents are clogged. This issue can also be caused by an overheating processor, a hardware problem, a power supply issue, bad thermal paste, manufacturing defects, or speakers.
Reasons why your laptop sounds like a jet engine
1. Overheating
Your laptop can start overheating if you push the processor beyond its limits. This includes running intense software like video editing and gaming applications. These tasks can make your laptop generate excess heat, and if it does not dissipate quickly, the processor will overheat.
The fans spin faster when the processor overheats, and the laptop can shut down abruptly.
Fix
- Let the laptop rest if you realize the processor is overworking or overheating.
- Use a cooling pad.
- Runs apps your laptop can handle. Do not push it past its limit.
- Keep the air vents and fans clean.
- If possible, keep the temperatures in the room low.
2. A Dirty Fan
The effectiveness of the fans in cooling down your laptop is reduced if it gets dirty with lint and dust. Dirty fans also generate noise when the blades spin, creating a high-pitched noise.
Fix
Making sure the fans are clean is vital to laptop care and maintenance. If you suspect you have a dirty fan, clean it using a soft brush or compressed air. Remember that you will need to open the laptop’s back panel to access the fan.
Cleaning the air vents and fan lowers noise production and makes your laptop function faster and more efficiently. It would be best if you make a habit of cleaning the vents and fans every six months to ensure they stay dust and grime-free.
3. Blocked Air Vents
Your laptop fan will do double the work if the air vents are blocked, leading to too much noise. Additionally, restricted airflow overheats the processor causing a noisy operation.
Fix
Remove anything blocking the air vents and clean them to remove debris and dust buildup. Moreover, place your laptop on a hard surface if you use it in bed.
4. Faulty Fan Blade or Fan Motor
Your laptop can also sound like a jet engine if it has a faulty fan blade or fan motor. Usually, the fan motor will succumb to wear and tear after a while, damaging or bending the blades, thus causing the fan to function less effectively. It is necessary to fix this problem as soon as possible.
Fix
Replace the fan.
5. Faulty Fan Bearing
The fan bearing can break due to sand or dirt in the fan or external damage. This can happen when cleaning the fan. In addition, the fan bearing can become damaged due to the lack of lubrication. The lubrication in the fan dries up after some time.
Fix
Lubricate the fan if the fan bearings are still functional. Alternatively, replace the fan.
6. Bad Thermal Paste
Typically, the lifespan of thermal paste is 3 to 5 years, and it serves the critical role of channeling heat from your laptop’s processor to its cooling fans. You may have bad thermal paste if your 3 to 4 years old laptop starts sounding like a jet engine.
Fix
Replace the thermal paste.
7. Manufacturing Defects
Defects like the poorly placed thermal paste, heatsink, fans, and other components can make even a new laptop produce growling sounds. However, such an issue is highly unlikely but do not rule it out entirely since damages can occur during shipping.
Fix
Get your laptop replaced if new.
8. The Speakers
This annoying sound may be stemming from your laptop’s speakers. Confirm this possibility by plugging in external speakers or headphones. If the jet engine-like sound disappears, then the speakers are the issue.
Fix
- Adjust the sound settings.
- Clean the speakers using a soft cloth.
Summary
The fans are responsible for keeping your laptops from overheating. These components will start working harder if you overwork your computer, and that may lead to the laptop producing a jet engine-like noise. The probable cause of this issue is dust and grime accumulation and fan damage. Fortunately, these issues are easily fixed.