Loud electronic crackling/buzzing sound + screen flickering after being charged for some hours

[chinmay_p]

Hi,

It has been a few months since I came across this issue. After I charge my laptop for about 2 or 3 hours, or more, randomly, I head loud buzzing and crackling sometimes accompanied by screen flickering.

The flicker on the screen is synchronized with the sound, and if left unattended, the sound stops after a minute or two. 

This happens only sometimes and I have failed to find any common unique thing about the times when it happens.

The crackling/buzzing is electronic in nature and stops immediately when I unplug the charger from the laptop. 

Because of the screen flickering, I think there is some kind of power surge happening.

I think it has got to do something with the AC supply adapter inside the laptop.

Please suggest what steps I can take to avoid this as this does not sound healthy at all.

Thank you

[Raj1788]

Hi @chinmay_p,

Welcome to HP Forums, 

This is a great place to get support, find answers and tips, 

Thank you for posting your query, I'll be more than glad to help you out 🙂

I understand you are getting noice after charging for a long time.

Don't worry I'll be glad to help, however, to provide an accurate resolution, I need a few more details: 

Are oyu facing this issue after an update on computer?

Have you tried any changes on the computer?

Lets try this step, click here and update the latest update.

Keep me posted, how it goes!

If the information I've provided was helpful.

Give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Cheers!

[chinmay_p]

The link you provided is for updating the BIOS. Is an update to the BIOS necessary? I have heard updating bios should be done only when really necessary, and if not done correctly, can render the motherboard useless.

Are you sure you want me to update the BIOS?

[Huffer]

A BIOS update is probably generally a good idea but I would not do it if the laptop has any tendency to shut off suddenly. This can turn it in to a boat anchor if it happens in the middle of a BIOS flash. 

The battery is internal, correct? I would run a full diagnostic on the batter in UEFI diagnostics by tappling esc as you power on then F2 to enter component tests. Run the full test of the battery and report back the advanced test results, please. 

And there is no power supply inside the laptop. All the power comes from the brick of the AC adapter or the battery but there is internal charging circuitry. The battery has a smart chip that is supposed to stop charging when it reaches 100% andmy best guess is the AC adapter is fine but the battery smart chip is defective somehow. A battery replacement would be more likely to fix it than a new AC adapter in other words but it would not be a terrible idea to order a replacement AC adapter. If it turns out to be the battery it is still never a bad idea to own 2 adapters. Adapters are cheaper and easier to replace than batteries. 

[chinmay_p]

Okay sure. 

The laptop does not have any tendency to shut off suddenly, so that's not an issue. 

Although, I would first run the diagnostics and let you know the results.

[Huffer]

check the text I added to my post

[chinmay_p]

By AC adapter, you mean the brick that I connect to the AC supply right? 

And if I have access to a similar model HP laptop, should I use its adapter instead of mine for a few days and see how things go?

Would the diagnostics help in determining whether the fault is in the battery chip?

[Huffer]

Yes the diagnostics specifically will test the battery chip. If the adapter you have from another model is one of the approved HP Part number adapters for your laptop then yes, absolutely let's test it with your laptop. The goal here is to isolate the issue. Its a. the battery b. the adapter or, c. the motherboard. 

[chinmay_p]

Yeah.

Well, I just ran the diagnostics from Component tests or something in that menu.

I tested the battery and the AC adapter and both passed the tests. Hardly took 10 seconds each.

Attaching battery details and system details photos for reference.

[Huffer]

You have 3 battery cells with no charge on them. I can't understand why that result generates a pass. 

Thats why I want to see the advanced results...the Pass/Fail results are unreliable. That is a sick battery.