FIX: Laptop clicking noises [7 solutions]
- A laptop clicking noise usually means that your PC’s hard drive has failed, or is about to fail, or has serious problems that will lead to its failure.
- Many users have encountered this problem which has led them to a serious concern about their laptops.
- Be sure to check out our Laptop & PC Hub for useful tips and great troubleshooting guides.
- Take a look at our Fix section for other helpful guides on various PC problems.
If you hear the clicking noise on your laptop, you know for sure that something is wrong with your device.
To confirm whether your hard drive is in good condition, is about to fail or whether it has failed, you can run a test on it by checking with the manufacturer and then get the diagnostic utility.
If the hard drive fails this diagnostic test, you’ll need to replace it. If it passes the test, there’s nothing wrong with it. In this case, check the hard drive for corruption.
We prepared a list of possible solutions that should make the laptop clicking noise go away. Make sure to check them out below.
How can I fix the laptop clicking noises?
1. Scan for malware
- Press the Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
- Go to the Update & Security section.
- Select Windows Security from the left panel.
- In the right panel, click on Open Windows Defender Security Center.
- Select the Virus & threat protection, and click on Quick scan.
Any infections detected may mean you will have some data loss as such files will be deleted.
Making sure that your PC is protected from the effects of the malware presence is of utmost importance. If the laptop clicking noise persists, we recommend a deep scan.
You can do so with the built-in protective software Windows Defender, or with a third-party antimalware solution.
We strongly recommend the Vipre Antivirus Plus software to optimize your computer by removing all traces of malware, and to ensure a smooth running of your PC.
This antivirus is a next generation security solution that is designed to be fast, stay out of the way, and keep your digital life safe.
It offers complete protection against viruses, worms, spam, spyware and other malware. The integrated firewall fends off attacks from the network.
Vipre Antivirus Plus
To optimally protect your PC, you should only rely on the Vipre Antivirus Plus.2. Update the audio driver
- Right-click on the Start button.
- Select Device Manager.
- Click on Sound, Video and game controllers.
- Right-click on the Sound card, and select Update driver.
However, other outdated drivers can cause this problem as well. Downloading drivers manually is a process that carries the risk of getting the wrong driver installed, which may lead to serious malfunctions.
The safer and easier way to update drivers on a Windows computer is by using an automatic software.
We strongly recommend the DriverFix tool to update your drivers in order to avoid the damage to your PC by manually downloading the wrong driver versions.
It scans your system and lists all existing and possibly missing drivers. The tool also detects if there is already a new version for current records. If necessary, these can be updated directly via DriverFix.
To achieve this, the program loads the corresponding file on your PC, and copies the new version to your hard-drive with one click. A wide range of hardware is supported, including audio drivers.
Already installed drivers can also be stored in an archive and used, for example, when the system is restored.
DriverFix
DriverFix automatically installs the latest drivers for you to keep your PC and hardware components safe.3. Boot in the Safe mode
- Pres the Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
- Go to the Update & Security section, and select Recovery.
- Go to Advanced startup, and click Restart now.
- Once your computer restarts, a list of options will come up.
- Press F4 to start your computer in Safe mode.
If the laptop clicking noise persists, check whether it occurs while your computer is in Safe mode. This starts up your computer with limited files and drivers but Windows will still run.
If the laptop clicking noise problem isn’t there while in Safe mode, then your default settings and basic drivers are not contributing to the issue.
4. Perform a clean boot
- Press the Windows key + R, type msconfig, and click OK.
- Go to the System Configuration dialog box, and select the Services tab.
- Check the Hide all Microsoft services box.
- Click on Disable all.
- Select the Startup tab, and click on Open Task Manager.
- You will see a list of startup items relevant to your PC. Select each and click Disable.
- Close Task Manager after you are done with each startup item, and click OK.
- Restart your PC.
Performing a clean boot for your computer reduces conflicts related to software that can bring up the root causes that lead to the laptop clicking noise.
These conflicts can be caused by applications and services that start up and run in the background whenever you start Windows normally.
5. Check your hard drive for corruption
- Press the Windows key + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
- Right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
- In the command line, type chkdsk /f /r, and press Enter.
- It will want to schedule itself to run at the next restart. Answer Yes, then restart your PC.
Go to your laptop manufacturer’s website and look for your computer’s specifications, then find out the brand of the hard drive.
Next, locate and download the hard drive diagnostic software and make a bootable disk from it on the laptop you’re using and test the hard drive to see if it has failed.
A scan will begin to fix any corruption or bad sectors on your hard drive, then remove this corruption as a potential cause of the laptop clicking noise.
Can’t access Command Prompt as an admin? Take a look at this guide.
6. Run the audio hardware troubleshooter
- Open the Settings app, and go to Update & Security.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Choose Playing Audio, and click Run the troubleshooter.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
7. Install the latest updates
- Pres the Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
- Go to the Update & Security section.
- Click on the Check for updates button.
- Windows will check for available updates, and download them automatically in the background.
- Restart your PC.
However, you can fix the laptop clicking noise simply by installing the latest updates. Windows 10 usually installs the updates automatically, but you can always check for updates on your own.
We hope that these solutions helped you to fix the annoying clicking noise on your PC. Use the comments below to tell us which solutions worked for you.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2017 and has been since revamped and updated in October 2020 for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.
