It’s a common frustration: you’re browsing Facebook or your favorite websites, scrolling through content, and suddenly your computer starts making an odd noise. This can be described as a chirping, screeching, or whining sound, and it often seems to be linked to scrolling activity. If you’re experiencing this, you’re not alone, and thankfully, there are potential explanations and solutions. Let’s delve into why your computer might be making noise when you scroll.
Many users have reported similar experiences, describing the sound as originating from inside their computer case, possibly from the Power Supply Unit (PSU) or the motherboard area. The noise often stops when scrolling ceases, leading to the suspicion that the two are connected.
One user described their situation:
My PSU it’s a Antec TruPower 550W … and I have the same problem!! 80% of the time… I can hear this sound when i’m on Internet Explorer…when I the page with my mouse the noise stop!
I’m not sure it’s the PSU…but when I put my ears in the case.. I think it’s the PSU or somewhere around the big pipe of the motherboard.
Another user with a low-power AMD system also encountered a similar issue:
I have alsom been plaged by such a problem.
I have an low power AMD system, for low noise. so it is annoying that i am bothered by such a screeching noise. It appears when scrolling, or generally when the MB is using lots of power, or disk activity…
Potential Culprits Behind Scrolling Noises
While the connection to Facebook scrolling might seem direct, it’s more likely that scrolling, especially on content-rich websites like Facebook, is simply triggering or exacerbating an existing hardware issue. Scrolling actions cause your computer to work harder – rendering graphics, loading new content, and processing data. This increased activity can put a strain on certain components, making underlying problems more audible.
Here are some of the most likely components to investigate when you hear noises related to scrolling:
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Power Supply Unit (PSU): The PSU is a prime suspect for these kinds of noises. Components within the PSU, such as coils and capacitors, can sometimes vibrate or resonate when under load, especially if they are aging or of lower quality. When you scroll, your system demands more power, and this demand can cause these PSU components to produce audible sounds. This is often referred to as “coil whine.”
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Motherboard Components: Similar to the PSU, the motherboard also contains coils, capacitors, and voltage regulators. These components manage power delivery to various parts of your computer, including the CPU and GPU. Increased activity during scrolling can cause these components to work harder and potentially emit noise.
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Hard Drive/SSD: While less likely to be directly related to scrolling in the same way as PSU or motherboard components, hard drives (especially older mechanical drives) can make clicking or whirring noises during data access. Scrolling can increase disk activity as the browser loads and caches data. SSDs are generally silent, but in rare cases, controller issues could potentially cause noises.
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Cooling Fans: Although fan noise is usually more of a whirring or rushing sound, and less often described as chirping or screeching, it’s still worth considering. While scrolling itself might not directly cause fan noise (unless it significantly increases system temperature), increased processing load from browsing could indirectly cause fans to spin up and become more noticeable.
Troubleshooting Steps to Identify the Noise Source
To pinpoint the source of the noise when you scroll, you can try these troubleshooting steps:
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Isolate the Noise: Carefully listen to where the noise is coming from. Is it definitely from inside the computer case? If possible, try to determine if it’s closer to the PSU area or elsewhere.
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Test with Different Applications: Does the noise only happen when scrolling in Facebook or your web browser? Try scrolling in other applications, such as documents or file explorers. If the noise is consistent across different applications and scrolling actions, it’s less likely to be specifically related to Facebook.
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Monitor System Load: Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc in Windows) or Activity Monitor (in macOS) to observe CPU, memory, and disk usage when you are scrolling and the noise occurs. See if there’s a significant increase in load that correlates with the noise. This can help you understand if the noise is related to increased system activity.
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Component Isolation (Advanced): Caution: This should only be attempted if you are comfortable working with computer hardware. If you are experienced, you can try to isolate components to narrow down the source. For example, temporarily disconnecting components like hard drives (one at a time) to see if the noise persists. However, never open or tamper with the PSU itself as it contains dangerous voltages even when unplugged.
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PSU Swap (If Possible): If you suspect the PSU, and have a spare compatible PSU, you could cautiously try swapping it out to see if the noise disappears. This is a more definitive test, but only do this if you are comfortable with computer hardware and safety precautions.
User Experiences and Solutions
The user who upgraded their system described a long process of troubleshooting:
I upgraded my system to a Athlon X2 5600+ ASUS M3NH-HDMI 2*1 GB GEIL OCZ Core V1 SSD
PSUS: Tagan TG400-U33II 400W North Q 350W Chill Innovation CP-400P4 400W (CP-400P4) an old one i dont remember…
I retained my old PSU, a cheap NorthQ 350W. I wish I hadnt. My old MB was also making noise from the MB itself, so it was time to change it. When I upgraded, at first it was bliss, silent as one could get it. After some weeks, it startet to make chirping screeching noises. It got worse, and i ordered a new MB (same) and swapped it. The noise disappeared, and i was happy. After a few weeks it returned. I changed it to a ASUS M3A78-EM, and the noise disappeared. However it returned after a few weeks.
Now I changed the PSU, and it was reduced, but was sometimes present. I now changed hte PSU a third time, for a different reason, and the noise came back with a venegeance.
This user’s experience highlights the frustrating nature of tracking down such noises. They tried multiple motherboards and PSUs, suggesting that the issue might be complex and potentially related to component compatibility or even damage from a faulty PSU.
Conclusion
While it might seem like Facebook is causing your computer to make noise when you scroll, it’s more likely that scrolling activity is simply triggering an underlying hardware issue, most commonly related to the PSU or motherboard components. By systematically troubleshooting and isolating the noise, you can hopefully identify the culprit and take steps to resolve it. If you’re not comfortable troubleshooting hardware yourself, seeking assistance from a qualified computer technician is always a good option.
