This seems to be a real problem with some LCD Monitors, especially the entry level TN panels like the popular Dell models (one of which I’m in front of right now).
In my case, the monitor was fine for the first two months. But then started making a buzzing noise… 1) when on, 2) worse when in power stand-by mode, and 3) even worse when turned off.
Thanks Dell!
It seems as if the cheap capacitors manufacturers’ use in these LCDs, after a while, start to resonate at a high pitch frequency that is very annoying in a quiet room. I’ve read that some people have fixed this by opening up the monitor and putting epoxy resin around parts … something I was not ready to do.
Adjusting the brightness setting of the LCD managed to fix this problem. Since this changes the power the monitor takes, this also changes the frequency these cheap capacitors resonate at… Sometimes for the better. You’ll have to play around and see what works for you best.
Next time I’m going for a nice non-TN Samsung.
Other reported fixes include changing the refresh rate (switching between 50Hz or 60Hz), and disabling the internal/integrated speakers or setting their volume to zero (they might be on without you knowing).
To fix this, you can also adjust the refresh rate of your monitor, which helps by a lot. I recently fixed my school’s computers with this. It’s fun using your computer skills at school, I’d say.
To change these settings, follow this path:
Start -> Control Panel -> Display -> Settings -> Advanced -> Monitor
Below you will find an area labeled “Screen refresh rate”, or something to that extent.
Simply lower the Hertz at which the screen refreshes, and the problem should be fixed.
If you have a computer issue and need it fixed, feel free to e-mail me at:
cookies_are_ftw@hotmail.com
Best of luck!
Thanks a ton buddy. Ur comment helped resolve the buzzing sound issue in my Dell LCD.
THANK YOU! Seeing as mine was at its lowest setting, I raised it to the highest and it stopped the high pitched loud noise that has been plaguing me for almost a month. You are AMAZING!
Thanks for the tip on changing the screen refresh rate. I like in the UK and the mains power is 50Hz, the screen refresh was set to 60Hz and was making a buzzing sound on some pages (like google mail for some reason). Changed the screen refresh to 50Hz and it stopped buzzing.
Hello Thank you so much for this info .
The problem si my Dell have only one screen refresh rate = 60Hz ..
i can not chang it .. cuz there is no other options !
what to do ?
Try unchecking the box that says “Hide modes that this monitor cannot display”, and then choose a lower resolution. It worked for me!
Thanks a lot…..
Didn’t work for my Samsung LED monitor. Still got the noise when lowering from 60 Hz to 50 Hz.
I tried what you suggested… it won’t let me change the HERTZ?? It’s is at 60 and I can’t change it… I’m no good with computers but this buzzing is driving me crazy!
Try turning the backlight up
Thanks! It worked and my tv I fine now.
Thanks! Lowering my refresh rate fixed the buzzing on my Dell LCD monitor!
“Next time I’m going for a nice non-TN Samsung.”
Yeah, I own MPA panel Samsung SyncMaster 215TW (very satisfied!!), and have this problem too. It started making high pitch noise two months ago.
I understand, it is already 4 years old (bought in 2006), but it cost me around $900… :/
I have bought today new viewsonic VX2250wm-LED.
It buzz like an old crt monitor or broken power unit, high pitch also take place,
not very loud, but distinctly heard over system case noise.
my Samsung TV is making high pitched noises even if its turned off
I will NEVER EVER EVER buy another Samsung product
they are crap
My Samsung also makes a high pitch noise and so i won’t buy another Samsung monitor again either.
Thanks. Refresh rate was the problem.
OMG! Thank you!
That noise has been driving me NUTS!
Hé Everyone,
My Samsung monitor was doing this aswell. Never had to much trouble with it since my computer made more noise. Now thanks to SSD’s It was far more noticeble. Changing the brightness and the refresh rate seemed to make it worse.
Than (on a diffrent site) I found the solution that saved my sanity. It where the internal speakers. Apparently the volume was set to 85 the past 6 years even though I use headphones or external speakers for all my audio.
Setting the volume to 0 takes care of the high pitch noise. I never had this much peace behind my computer.
@Remco
Yes!, thanks Remco. I tried the brightness and contrast but it didn’t help. Then I unplugged the audio cable and the buzzing stopped. Turning down the volume helps but I’ll just keep it unplugged. I’ve got a Viewsonic vx2753. Finally some peace and quiet.
God thanks a lot Remco that help a lot i never thought about that coz i never used the Moniter’s speakers before, finally lol@Remco
I bought a Digitame monitor online and it makes a high pitched ringing constantly when off. Turning it on makes a high-pitched shrieking noise, and I couldn’t figure out how to fix it. Maybe it’s faulty.
I have a viore 2007 model and it makes a loud ringing noise from the time it’s turned on till it’s turned off. Even with the volume at 0 it still does it. Suggestions please!!! I really miss my gaming Tv lol
Oddly enough, changing the brightness on my LCD from 60 back up to 100 got rid of the high pitched whine.
my sinkmaster2220wm has a stupid long annoying censored beep constantley going. please help!!
Thanks so much my Samsung tv started this high pitch noise just tonight (about 6 years old) switched off internal speakers & Boom Noise GONE!!! Now using my home theatre for sound – havent used it in a while so great opportunity for better sound.
Hi, for those using PC monitor for general use – lowering the MONITOR volume and raising your WINDOWS volume using the desktop will reduce this buzzing sound significantly
My settings: Monitor ~50 volume
Windows ~100 volume
Thanks that worked for me.
Hi, I also had a buzzing monitor, but what fixed it for me is different than what has been posted here so far, so maybe this will help someone else. I recently traded rooms w my roommate and noticed that now, all of a sudden, my acer monitor (the lcd, the led was quiet) and ALSO the psu for my tower were both humming loudly. The only thing that changed was the power outlet. I plugged them in to a different outlet in the room, and the humming stopped for both. I dont know wtf is up w/ my outlets, but I’ll post an update if I find out.
Thanks! Turning down internal speakers resolved problem for me on HannsG IPS screen
Thanks, worked for me on a Hanns-G HZ201D. Only had to change the brightness a few clicks to make the buzzing change frequency out of hearing.
Thank you so much for this information. I have this few years old Samsung Syncmaster s24b300, 24″ display and it has been making this very high frequency buzz for some time now. Thought it was some interference from my speakers and couldn’t find any fix to it before this. I just tampered around the “Magic Bright” settings and found one which makes the noise stop completely, perfect!
I have heard a noise from my Eizo monitor for the first time, read your article, and increased the brightness from 55% to 100%. The noise stopped probably when I passed 85%.
thanks… problem solve… love you dear…
about Remco post to turn of the internal LCD volume to 0… is what i understood by that comment. But my speakers are connected to that LCD so if i turn the internal volume to 0 there is no buzzing but no sounds from my speakers either.
Is there another fix?
Can’t u connect the speakes to the motherboard? On my AOC monitor lowering the volume stopped the buzzing.
Thank you very much! Even after all these years your solution to change the brightness settings worked like a charm!
Speakers? Speakers you say … I couldn’t disable them but I could crank the volume way down!! Thanks for the hint!
i started having this problem with my acer screen. the solution for me was lowering the brightness to around 14 and the buzzing stopped. increasing made the prob worse. i’ve had this monitor for about a year and the buzzing started yesterday. so annoying but i fixed the problem by lowering the brightness. now my screen is so dark
What worked for my LG screen was hitting the refresh button. I think it refreshes everything. There is no more buzzing sound.
Adjusting the brightness setting of the LCD managed to fix this problem.
Worked for me, thanks. Saved me buying a new TV
Adjusting the brightness stopped the high pitch noise on my 5+ year old Samsung SyncMaster 943. Interestingly, I had to increase the brightness and not reduce it. Reducing the brightness made the noise much louder.
Thanks for your post
This fix was an awesome catch! mine was the audio in the monitor. I turned the volume down to 0 and the high pitch noise ceased. Thank you for this post and answer to my monitor issue!
No. Ceramic disc capacitors can exhibit this but monitors don’t use those. The solid surface mount and electrolytic caps in monitors do not resonate.
What can resonate is either the inductors or transformer, due to loose windings. The switchmode power subsection will vary the frequency or more often pulse duration based on the power demand and this can put them into resonation which can vary based on temperature, brightness, processor load, volume level, etc. – anything that changes the power consumption more than a little.
This is in no way isolated or more likely on entry level TN panels. The power subcircuit this happens in, is pretty much the same topology for all of them.
Thank you so much! It’s amazing how this post, even after 11 years, is still completely relevant and completely fixed the high pitched noise on my two Samsung SyncMaster screens (bought a few months ago second hand but in beautiful condition). It was especially bad when the display was in standby and would emit the noise every time the display light flashed on and off every second, so much so that I had to turn the display off by the power switch on the underside whenever I wasn’t using it because the noise filled the whole room. Turned out they both had their volumes turned up all the way. I never comment on anything but this small victory over something so annoying is the small win I needed right now!
Wow, your tip was great! Adjusting the brightness to much higher fixed the noise completely! I wish I knew this trick a few years ago!
Thank you!