How to Reduce NAS LED Lights and Noise During 24/7 Operation – 5 Practical Solutions

Home NAS devices are designed to stay powered on 24/7, providing seamless access to files, backups, media streaming, and more. While this always-on functionality is great for convenience, it can sometimes become a disturbance in daily life.


NAS photo

In particular, the constant blinking LED lights or the subtle spinning noise from hard drives can interrupt your sleep or distract you while working. However, turning off the NAS entirely isn't ideal either, as it would interrupt scheduled backups and remote access. In this post, we’ll explore 5 smart ways to reduce or eliminate NAS light and noise issues—without compromising its core functions.

 

 

 

1. Annoyed by the LED lights? Use Night Mode or Brightness Control

Most Synology NAS models allow you to adjust the brightness of their LED indicators. If the soft glow from your NAS is bothering you at night, there's an easy fix.

  • DSM path: Control Panel → Hardware & Power → LED Indicator Brightness
  • Manually reduce brightness or schedule Night Mode to dim LEDs automatically
  • Set a custom time range (e.g., 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM) for the brightness to dim

While models like the DS218play don’t support full LED shutdown, reducing brightness to the minimum helps prevent light pollution during sleep hours.

2. Reduce HDD Noise with Automatic Hibernation

If your NAS hard drives aren’t accessed frequently, they can enter hibernation mode when idle. This stops disk spinning, reducing mechanical noise and saving energy.

  • DSM path: Control Panel → Hardware & Power → HDD Hibernation
  • Set inactivity timeout (e.g., 5, 10, 15, or 30 minutes)
  • Drives will spin down during idle periods, leading to quieter operation

 

 

3. Move the NAS to a Different Location

For the most effective noise and light reduction, relocate your NAS to a more isolated or hidden area of your home. Here are some ideas:

  • Home office, closet, storage room, or behind-the-wall space
  • Use a longer Ethernet cable or a powerline adapter for reliable wired connection
  • Remote access remains available via QuickConnect, Synology Drive, and more

4. Avoid Using Timer Outlets – Forced Shutdowns Are Risky

Some users try to power off their NAS at night using a timer outlet. This is highly discouraged as it can cause several problems:

  • Abnormal DSM shutdown may corrupt your data
  • RAID setups can be compromised by improper power-off
  • Active backups might be interrupted, risking file loss

Instead of cutting power, rely on software-based power management settings like hibernation. NAS devices are designed to stay on at all times.

5. Use Quieter NAS Hard Drives

If your current drives are excessively noisy, consider switching to NAS-specific low-noise drives for quieter operation.

  • Recommended models: WD Red Plus, Seagate IronWolf
  • Designed for 24/7 usage with vibration and noise control
  • While more expensive than regular drives, they’re worth it for peace of mind

 

 

Summary – How to Quietly Enjoy Your NAS

NAS devices are built to be always-on and efficient, but their lights and sounds can affect your daily comfort. Thankfully, with the right settings—LED brightness control, HDD hibernation, physical relocation, and proper drive selection—you can minimize disturbances while still enjoying full NAS functionality. Avoid risky timer-based shutdowns and rely on smart management.

Let your NAS work silently in the background, storing and protecting your data while you sleep in peace. With just a few tweaks, your NAS can be both powerful and unobtrusive.

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