CPU Fan Not Spinning: Here’s some tips

CPU Fan Not Spinning Here's some tips

On laptops, and on desktops, the CPU fan is usually driven off a 3V or 5V signal from the PSU (power supply unit). The fan connector on the motherboard is known as the fan header. The majority of fans include three wires/pins. One supplies voltage (red), one is neutral (black), and one controls speed (yellow). In a stepped manner, the BIOS controls the CPU fan. When the temperature goes beyond the threshold, the fan usually comes on. The faster the fan spins, the warmer it becomes. If your BIOS has been improperly configured or is out of date, your fan might not function properly.

If your CPU fan does not turn, it’s possible that the problem is with the fan, motherboard, or power supply unit. Dust and lint may block the fan blades, preventing them from turning. The wires entering the fan might also obstruct the fan blades and prevent them from spinning (since these fans don’t have a lot of torque, they won’t spin unless they’re clean). If the circuit that provides power to the fan is damaged/short, your fan will not be able to turn. The same problem may arise from the PSU (power supply unit) if it is unable to deliver 5V or 12V to power your fan. The PSU (power supply unit) for laptops is typically built into the motherboard.

Keep in mind that when the CPU temperatures are low or you are not utilizing any power-intensive programs, the CPU fan will generally cease to spin. In order for your computer to function effectively, it necessitates adequate cooling. Cooling systems, coolants, and more often than not, fans are used to provide this cooling.

It’s concerning when your CPU cooling fan isn’t operating. When combined with a CPU overheat, this is certainly an emergency. There are numerous fans in a computer, including a PSU (power supply unit) fan, CPU (central processing unit) fan, case/chasis (hardware enclosure) fan, and GPU (graphics processing unit) fan. To save space and weight, laptops usually have only one coolingfan.

Users have been experiencing a widespread issue with their CPU fan not spinning; the computer then overheats and generates an error code, at which point it shuts down due to thermal monitoring. For others, the computer does not boot at all. They may observe a fan fault during the startup procedure. In both situations, these are typically faults that prevent the computer from overheating since the fan is broken. This article will address this problem and help you troubleshoot as well as provide common solutions to it.

How to Troubleshoot Your CPU Fan

Your fan, motherboard, or power supply unit may be the issue. You may use the techniques below to determine where the problem is.

Supplying an alternate fan header (terminals on your motherboard that connect to your fan(s)) can help you troubleshoot why your cooling system isn’t working. You may use the PSU, case/chassis, or GPU fan header for this. If it spins but doesn’t spin properly, the problem might be with the motherboard or power supply unit.

If your computer is not booting, try replacing the CPU fan with a known good one. You can also use an operational fan and connect it to your motherboard. If it spins, there’s something wrong with your fan. Test the voltage between the red and black terminals if you have a multimeter. It should be 3-5V or 12V, or else your motherboard or PSU has issues.

The majority of this problem is due to the cushions’ intended cyclic readjustment. Here are some of the most common treatments for this issue. We’ll start with the low-cost alternatives since it’s possible that a hardware failure caused this.

Related: CPU Fan Error for Asus Motherboards

1: Restart your computer

Because the CPU fan does not have a lot of torque, it may be easily stopped with your finger or debris. Even if you remove your finger or the debris, your fan will stop spinning due to this error. To repair this problem, restart your computer.

2: Blowing compressed air at the fan will help clean it.

Cleaning your fans regularly will keep it working properly. Dust is a typical problem for spectators. Because these fans do not create a lot of torque, the accumulation may reach the fan blades and prevent them from spinning. You can take apart your fan and clean it. If you’re not sure how to go about it, use a can of compressed air to blow into the fan vents. Make careful that your fan does not exceed high RPMs (Revolutions per minute).

3: Remove any wires from the fan blades.

Because CPU fans do not generate a lot of torque, obstructing the fan blades from spinning may be caused by wiring entering the motor. Make sure there are no wires or anything else getting in the way of your fan blades. To ensure that the fan wiring does not get in the way of the fan blades, use epoxy to fasten it to one side.

4: Press the Delete key three times to reset and update your BIOS.

Your computer’s fan is controlled by your BIOS. Any misconfigurations will be cleared, and the fan will start operating again, while it rests on it. To reset the BIOS:

5: Shut down your PC

Press the power button and then immediately press F2 to enter into BIOS setup.

Press F9 (or the load defaults button shown on the BIOS screen) to reset your BIOS

If the fan is still not operational after replacing the sensor, inspect it again. Using a multimeter, check for continuity between pins 3 and 4 as well as 5 and 6. If there is no continuity, replace them one at a time. Turn off the computer by pressing Esc or F10 then select “save and exit.” After that, hit Enter to restart your system and check if the fan now works.

You may also reset your BIOS by unplugging all power connections, removing the battery, and then pressing the power button for at least 30 seconds.

6: Change the fan

If your fan doesn’t spin on another PC or if a known-good fan on your PC still doesn’t operate, you’ll need to buy a new one. You should also be sure that the CPU fans have 3-5V or 12V connections to avoid any confusion.

7: Replace the motherboard in your computer.

Although taking a look at your system’s motherboard might be useful, the only surefire method to determine if it is the source of your problem is to use a functional CPU fan on your computer. If it doesn’t turn, you’ll need to replace your motherboard. You can test the voltage output of the CPU fan by measuring its voltage and checking whether it’s between 3V and 5V or 12V. If there isn’t any voltage or it’s less than 3V, your computer won’t have enough electricity to operate the fan. Your motherboard will need to be replaced.

Make sure your motherboard is compatible with your power supply and other components; otherwise, you’ll have to replace the entire system.

8: Replace your power supply unit if yours is broken.

If you have a desktop computer, replacing the motherboard is not typically sufficient to resolve the problem. Because laptops integrate the PSU onto the motherboard, replacing it will correct the issue. Your PC’s power supply is made up of two distinct units: a 5V and 12V unit that delivers 3V, 5V, 10V, and 12V to your motherboard. When you hear beeping noises or more than one component fails (your monitor, fan, USBs, keyboard, mouse), or the computer starts for a while and then shuts down immediately, it’s time to replace your PSU.

TIP: If none of the solutions has helped you, we recommend ringing our computer experts to fix this issue or replace your failing CPU Fan.

Also Read: GPU Fans Not Spinning

Author:
I am a computer engineer holding a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, complemented by a Master's in Business Administration from University of Strathclyde, Scotland. I currently work as a Senior IT Consultant in Melbourne, Australia. With over 15 years of...