Why You Should Be Scared of Your Buzzing Outlet

Have you ever gone to plug in your phone charger and right before you stuck the prongs into the outlet, heard a slight buzzing coming from the outlet? If so, you’re not the only one. Buzzing outlets can be quite common — but that doesn’t mean you should just ignore them.

There are several reasons you should be concerned about buzzing outlets in your home.

What Causes Buzzing Outlets?

Connectivity Issues

Sometimes, if they’re more worn-out, the wiring connections in your outlets can come loose and cause the outlet to vibrate and make a buzzing sound. This is more common in older homes whose outlets have been in use for a while and haven’t been replaced or repaired over time.

If that’s the case, having your outlets professionally replaced may stop the buzzing.

Breaker Issues

If the breakers in your electrical system are sending too much or too little electricity to your outlets, the imbalance could cause your outlets to buzz. Unlike connectivity issues, breaker issues can’t be solved just at the outlet. You’ll likely need to have the breaker replaced entirely in order to rid your outlets of the annoying buzzing noise.

Polarity Issues

Your outlets can most likely suffer from polarity issues if they weren’t installed correctly to begin with. (This is common if you make electrical work a DIY project or hire a cheap, but shoddy electrician.) If your outlets have polarity issues, you’ll need to have a professional come to your home and fix them.