Is a Charger That Makes Repeating Clicking or Chh Noises Safe to Use?
Asked by
MellowPine47
My charger makes a quiet repeating "chh" sound when it's plugged in. It happens three or four times, stops briefly, and then repeats that cycle over and over. This doesn't sound like the coil whine I've heard described. Is the charger failing, and could continuing to use it create a fire hazard? I don't have another charger available right now, but I'm worried about my home, pets, and family.
Answers
That sound could be an internal component repeatedly starting and shutting down because the adapter has a fault or is detecting a problem. Don’t leave it plugged in unattended or overnight, and don’t keep testing it. If the plug, outlet, cable, or charger feels hot, sparks, smells burnt, or shows damage, switch it off at the outlet if safe and unplug it.
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A faint steady electronic whine can sometimes be normal, but a repeating noise that wasn’t there before is different. Even if it turns out not to be dangerous, replacing the adapter is safer and usually cheaper than risking damage to the device or an electrical incident.
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I’d stop using it and replace it. A charger shouldn’t make a new or clearly audible repeating noise, especially if it also gets hot, smells unusual, or has damaged cables or discoloration. It may not immediately cause a fire, but there’s no good reason to gamble on a cheap power adapter. Unplug it when you can and use a properly rated replacement from a reputable manufacturer.
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MellowPine47: That makes sense. I was mainly worried about my house and pets, so I’ll avoid leaving it connected and get a replacement as soon as possible.