Symptoms
- Single click sound when the charger is first connected
- Repeated clicking or popping noise continues while charging
- Clicking is accompanied by warmth near the charging port or battery
- Noise seems to come from inside the case, not the charger itself
Likely causes
- CommonCoil whine or a relay switching, common and harmless on many chargersA single click or faint buzzing during charging state changes is often just normal electronic component behavior.
- CommonLoose internal connector making intermittent contactA poor connection can cause repeated clicking as it connects and disconnects.
- PossibleFailing capacitor or component in the charger or laptop's charging circuitRepeated popping, especially with heat or smell, suggests a failing electronic component.
- PossibleFan clicking mistaken for a charging-related noiseWorth ruling out that the sound is actually the cooling fan, not the power circuit.
What to do
- Note whether the click happens once when plugging in (usually normal) or repeats continuously (worth investigating further).
- Check if the noise correlates with the fan spinning up and down rather than the charging circuit itself.
- Feel the charger and the area near the laptop's charging port for unusual warmth alongside the noise.
- Try a different charger to see if the clicking follows the charger or stays with the laptop.
- If there's any smell of burning or the noise gets worse over time, stop using the charger immediately.
Tools and parts
- None required
When to call a pro
If the clicking is persistent, gets louder, or coincides with a smell or heat, have the charger and laptop's charging circuit checked by a professional.
Safety
Use caution
Stop using the charger right away if the clicking is accompanied by a burning smell, heat, or visible damage.