(Partly Solved) Very Loud Noise From Laptop Fan  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: 108CAM
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2023, 06:33:21 am
content: This issue is NOT related to an overheating CPU. Please do not post replies about an overheating CPU, I have already ruled out this as being the cause. The issue is related to the fan that cools the CPU, not the CPU itself.This issue is also NOT Hard Drive related. My laptop has a Solid State Drive installed so please don't post replies saying my HDD has a bad motor.There is no HDD installed in my laptop.My laptop has been having an issue with it's CPU fan making very loud noises which have been gradually getting worse over the past few weeks.I made a good call by telling my parents about how using a vacuum or compressed air on computer parts is a big No-No.I'm fairly sure that a foreign object has somehow been sucked inside the via the intake pipe and has become stuck in the part where the fan is located and whenever the fan spins up to cool the CPU, the object rattles around inside the fan housing which then causes the loud noise I'm hearing.I have dismantled a few laptops in the past and have a general idea of how the parts are laid out, especially the cooling fans and their pipes so I have some knowledge and confidence in that area.My plan of action is to fully power down my laptop and remove the bottom cover so I can check for foreign objects and clean out the fan while checking it for damage at the same time.If anyone can think of anything else I can do, please let me know as this issue has been worsening and my laptop is less than 3 years old.I've attached a short clip of the noise that the fan is making, a screenshot of the fan stats from when it was loud and my laptop specs.

author: magic
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2023, 06:48:02 am
content: One possibility is foreign matter in the fan.Another possibility is that the sleeve bearing is out of grease or worn out and the axle rattles in it.I found it helps to pull the rotor out of the bearing and shove some light bearing grease in there.The fix may work for anywhere from months to years after each application.

author: nvmR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2023, 07:10:24 am
content: Hey OP, considering a new fan is quite cheap - with the appropriate connector, you can always grab one from aliexpress with change from a 20

author: AndyBeez
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2023, 08:51:54 am
content: Initial thoughts? I might suspect the fan blades are colliding with the fan's frame due to a misalignment or aggressive wear. Or a wire/ribbon cable is laying over the blades? Just take the back off and take a look inside. (I would not anticipate finding a dead insect inside, but the interiors of other peoples machines never fail to amaze) You can use a can of compressed air to blow out dust, lint and crap whilst you're inside.

author: 108CAM
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2023, 09:52:33 am
content: Thanks to everyone for your tips! Much appreciated!Turns out that one of the screws that holds the cover on had somehow become stripped. This caused the vibrations from the fan to rattle an unsecured part of the cooling pipes against the housing which led to the noise I was hearing.I fixed the issue by swapping the stripped screw with a good screw from another spot on the case to properly secure the loose part and prevent it from rattling. I also used the opportunity to clean a large amount of dust and gunk out of the fans and cooling system.Attached is a photo of the gunk and dust that came out.

author: Infraviolet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2023, 08:28:36 pm
content: Good work, lucky to be in a situation where there were screws to remove rather than some dreadful glued and plastic clipped thing which would be virtually impossible to get in to or maintain."...considering a new fan is quite cheap..."Are laptop fans a standardised mechanical and electrical fitting?

author: 108CAM
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2023, 11:53:18 pm
content: Sadly the repair was short lived. The noise has come back but this time, the rattling is much less severe and confined to a specific area.Now that I know the layout of my laptop and how to dismantle it, I'll have to take another look inside, see if I missed anything and try to find the issue or a way to secure the loose pipe that won't harm the rest of the components.

author: 108CAM
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2023, 12:37:00 am
content: Quote from: Infraviolet on August 22, 2023, 08:28:36 pmI'm glad it had screws, especially Phillips Head screws, inside and out. Security screws wouldn't've been much of an issue since I have drivers for most of the common security screw heads that you would find on most laptops and desktop PCs.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2023, 02:02:45 am
content: QuoteThis is why every good workshop has a jar/tin/box of miscellaneous nuts,bolts ,screws ,bent nails ,washers etc that rarely contains exactly what you need but you can something close enough to get by.