My computer keeps playing the notification sound every few minutes and I have no idea where it's coming from

In my case too, it is the Discord app. Instead of killing the process, I found there is a setting to disable Notification sounds in the app itself.

1. Click the setting (gear) icon present to the bottom left of the app screen.
2. Navigate to the "App Settings" section, and click on "Notifications"
3. Scroll down to "Sounds" section and either click on "Disable All Notification Sounds" or individually disable the sound for some specific events like "Message", etc.

The below screenshot shows the setting disabling all Notification sounds (but yours can vary as per Step 3. above):

I have a suspicion that recently a Microsoft backup porgram wants me to backup files on my computer to some cloud but I have a professional backup application running full time that backs uo everything to a NAS server and it does not make noises at all but the MS one for some reason cant be disabled and the constant sounds may come from this. as it sometimes pops up and says it wants to backup my computer and make an image. I already make a new system disk image at least every 2nd week in case of a bad windows update that causes problems. I do voluntary work for a sports federation so cant have crashes. or failures.But this beeping is very annoying and started just over a week ago. at about same time as the Peskey MS backup started petering me. Have not found a way to remove or disable it.

Hello Anonymous_272

Welcome to the Microsoft community.

It sounds like you've already taken some common troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue of the mysterious notification sound on your computer. If none of those steps have worked, here are a few more suggestions that might help identify and resolve the issue:

1. Check for Background Applications: Sometimes applications running in the background can cause unexpected sounds. Use the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to see all running processes and look for anything unusual that might be causing the sound.
2. Windows Event Viewer: The Event Viewer in Windows logs all system events, including errors or warnings that might not prompt visible notifications. Check the Event Viewer for any warnings or errors that coincide with the times you're hearing the chime.
3. Sound Schemes: Double-check your sound scheme settings. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound and then click on the "Sounds" tab. Even if the System Sounds are turned down, individual program events might still be set to play sounds.
4. Device Connection Sounds: Sometimes, a faulty USB port or device can repeatedly connect and disconnect, causing the "device connected" sound to play. You've mentioned checking USB drivers, but it might also help to check other ports and devices, including those not typically considered (like keyboard, mouse, etc.).
5. Update Drivers and Windows: Ensure all your device drivers and Windows itself are up to date. An outdated audio driver or system component might be causing issues.
6. Third-party Software: If you have any third-party system management or customization software installed, consider whether it might be causing the sounds. Sometimes these programs have their own notification systems.
7. Check for Malware: Although less likely, malware or other unwanted software might cause unexpected behavior on your computer. Running a full system scan with a reputable antivirus or anti-malware program could rule out this possibility.
8. Safe Mode: Booting your computer in Safe Mode can help determine if third-party software is the cause of the sounds, as Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs.

If after trying these steps you're still experiencing the issue, it might be worth seeking professional help, as there could be a more complex problem at play.

If there is anything not clear or I can't understand your problem, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards

Patch - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Card reader was pluged in. But SD kard removed.

I finally found the source. I had notifications inadvertently set on for an online auction. All is good now.