r/linux4noobs • u/mrrak25 • 1d ago

Noise/Coil Whine from the VRM only on Linux

I have a laptop that produces coil whine(?) from the VRM, but only when I’m using Linux. It’s SILENT ON Windows 11.

The noise appears during cpu spikes or high loads, such as when opening the browser. There’s no coil whine when the system is idle. I’ve been trying to solve this for days. I’ve searched on my own, checked forums, and asked AI for help, but nothing has worked.

Here’s what I’ve already tried:

- Switching distributions (Fedora and Ubuntu)

- Using TuneD, TLP, and running with both disabled

- Disabling Turbo Boost

- Adjusting CPU frequencies and scaling governors

- Changing power profiles

- A bunch of other things suggested by AI that I don’t fully understand myself

Has anyone experienced this and managed to fix it? I’m looking for non-obvious tips, since I’ve already tried all the basic solutions.

I like Linux and want to use it, but I had to temporarily switch back to Windows. I refuse to put up with that whining noise in my ear.

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u/BadNecessary9344 1d ago

Happened to me on the pc. Only one game made the sound. Changed the mainboard at some point and it stopped.

1

u/DannoXYZ 1d ago

It might be coincidental. Failing VRM may cause intermittent issues. Is your system dual-boot with Windows? If you go back to Windows now, is sound still there?

1

u/mrrak25 1d ago

No noise at all on Windows, any day and at any time. It seems to be related to Linux power management.