Sizzling crackling noise

[strait_chlorine]

My laptop underside makes a sizzling crackling noise when I put my ear up to it. It was louder one night, but then I left it alone all night to cool. In the morning it wasn't hot, but it still made the noise. I've heard it could just be a coil whine? It doesn't smell like burning electricity, it just gets warm.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @strait_chlorine,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your laptop is making a sizzling or crackling noise from underneath, which seems to persist even after cooling down. Let’s go through a few steps to check what could be causing this.

 
a. Identify the Type of Noise

A faint crackling or buzzing sound is often due to coil whine, which comes from power components (like voltage regulators) when the system is under load.

If the sound is irregular, snapping, or accompanied by a burning smell, that can indicate a hardware or fan issue.

 
b. Check Fan and Air Vents

Power off the laptop and unplug it.

Use a flashlight to check for dust buildup in the vents.

If you hear the noise only when the fan speeds up, it may be due to dust particles or a misaligned fan blade.

Gently blow air through the vents or use compressed air to clear any debris.

 
c. Listen for Noise Source

Place the laptop on a flat surface and listen closely near the charging port, keyboard, and underside vents.

If the noise changes with charging, scrolling, or performance spikes, it’s likely coil whine and not dangerous.

 
d. Run a Hardware Diagnostic

Restart your laptop and repeatedly tap F2 (or Esc → F2) to enter HP Hardware Diagnostics.

Run the Component Tests → Fan and Thermals test to check for abnormalities.

If all tests pass, the noise is likely electrical resonance (coil whine), not a mechanical failure.

I hope this helps.

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Best regards,