A strange noise coming from my power supply

[BitKongy]

My corsair power supply is making a strange noise whenever I plug its power plug into a socket, I don't have to on my PC before I can start hearing this noise, I looked for busted capacitors but none, what could be the problem?

[crwth]

Maybe the fan is the one that is causing the noise? Or is it a buzz that makes it feel like an electrical issue?

Maybe you can post a video recording of it so we can understand it better.

[MidNite36]

You need to open the PSU and take a look inside, a leaking capacitor might be the culprit, you won't be able to see all capacitors by just starting in between the fan.

[FP91G]

As a rule, whistling or hum can be emitted by inductors or chokes.

These elements make a sound during operation, but a person hears sounds with a frequency higher of 20 hertz. Read about it online.
If, under load of 90% of the power, the power supply produces stable voltages and there is no burning smell, then I would not worry much.

[rdluffy]

My corsair power supply is making a strange noise whenever I plug its power plug into a socket, I don't have to on my PC before I can start hearing this noise, I looked for busted capacitors but none, what could be the problem?

This noise only happens when you plug your power cable or the noise continues?

There's a weird sound called "coil whine", and this is something like FP91G wrote, it's something related to frequency
But it's not dangerous to your hardware, it's annoying if you're close to your PC/Rig, and it's commom in old and very used PSUs

If your PSU is brand new you can do RMA, but there's something tricky too  , maybe in another PC / another power plug you PSU will not reproduce this sound like in yours.
And it's not considered a "problem" for most manufacturers.

[StormHawk]

Keep using the PSU if its working while the sound is on, I have a 450watt PSU that came with a PC computer years ago and the power supply makes some noise when running the PC, this was my first gaming PC build in 2013, there is nothing to worry about.

[adaseb]

Like others said above. It’s most likely coil whine and this is so common that if you want a warranty claim they might deny it and says it’s completely normal.

This is more of an annoyance if anything else. I remember my first gaming rig, it was very quiet. Until I started gaming and the most annoying whine you can hear. Basically had to use headphones to not hear it. Some PSUs have this and some don’t. No idea what the culprit is.

I found that for some reason the cheaper PSU didn’t have coil whine while the more expensive ones did, very odd.

[GEMIN_M4]

This is normal, some PSU are quiet while some make noises and this doesn't stop them from working, I have a OCZ 850 watt power supply in my gaming build that makes the same noise but this PSU lasted a long time, I end up giving it out to my little cousin for his gaming PC, till date this PSU still works.

[verbakalim]

The small diameter fan used in some power supplies may run noisy. Since it has a higher speed than a normal fan speed, it makes a lot of noise during operation. Their speed can exceed 5000 Rpm.
The airflow created by this fan is very high. It helps a lot to dissipate the heat from the hot parts of the power supply.
Low-power fans are not enough for this job. This could be the source of the sound.

[JangoUnchained]

The small diameter fan used in some power supplies may run noisy. Since it has a higher speed than a normal fan speed, it makes a lot of noise during operation. Their speed can exceed 5000 Rpm.
The airflow created by this fan is very high. It helps a lot to dissipate the heat from the hot parts of the power supply.
Low-power fans are not enough for this job. This could be the source of the sound.

Can cooling fan make noise without you running them? I think thats the case here if you read what OP says carefully, if PSU isnt on but its making a sound that looks like it's coming from the coil not the fan.

[verbakalim]

The small diameter fan used in some power supplies may run noisy. Since it has a higher speed than a normal fan speed, it makes a lot of noise during operation. Their speed can exceed 5000 Rpm.
The airflow created by this fan is very high. It helps a lot to dissipate the heat from the hot parts of the power supply.
Low-power fans are not enough for this job. This could be the source of the sound.

Can cooling fan make noise without you running them? I think thats the case here if you read what OP says carefully, if PSU isnt on but its making a sound that looks like it's coming from the coil not the fan.

It would be nice if our friend could share the recording of this sound. It is difficult to tell whether the incoming noise is a fan noise or a core-welded coil that is not fully adhered after assembly. Judging from the above, everyone gave answers or recommendations based on their own experience. As such, this suggestion is also within the scope of the sound source.

[Pterosaur]

The small diameter fan used in some power supplies may run noisy. Since it has a higher speed than a normal fan speed, it makes a lot of noise during operation. Their speed can exceed 5000 Rpm.
The airflow created by this fan is very high. It helps a lot to dissipate the heat from the hot parts of the power supply.
Low-power fans are not enough for this job. This could be the source of the sound.

Can cooling fan make noise without you running them? I think thats the case here if you read what OP says carefully, if PSU isnt on but its making a sound that looks like it's coming from the coil not the fan.

It would be nice if our friend could share the recording of this sound. It is difficult to tell whether the incoming noise is a fan noise or a core-welded coil that is not fully adhered after assembly. Judging from the above, everyone gave answers or recommendations based on their own experience. As such, this suggestion is also within the scope of the sound source.

Its not that hard to tell, I am satisfied with what OP said that the PSU makes this noise even before starting up the PSU, that means the noise starts just by plugging the PSU cable into the wall socket, its coil making that noise.

[batsonxl]

As a rule, whistling or hum can be emitted by inductors or chokes.

These elements make a sound during operation, but a person hears sounds with a frequency higher of 20 hertz. Read about it online.
If, under load of 90% of the power, the power supply produces stable voltages and there is no burning smell, then I would not worry much.

FP91G is right you are hearing chokes noise dont worry about it you noise makes uncomfortable you need to replace them

[FP91G]

As a rule, whistling or hum can be emitted by inductors or chokes.

These elements make a sound during operation, but a person hears sounds with a frequency higher of 20 hertz. Read about it online.
If, under load of 90% of the power, the power supply produces stable voltages and there is no burning smell, then I would not worry much.

FP91G is right you are hearing chokes noise dont worry about it you noise makes uncomfortable you need to replace them

Why change chokes?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNWmMjFZojE
This problem is very common in many products. Try filling the chokes with epoxy. But it is very difficult to change chokes on a power supply without experience, and the workshop will probably not take such power supplies for repair if they are working.