Laptop fan not working? Try these methods to fix it

Is your laptop fan not working? There could be multiple reasons why it has stopped functioning, such as accumulation of dust or debris, something could be obstructing it, a loose or damaged power connection for the fan, a malfunctioning fan motor, or even a software issue. A malfunctioning laptop fan can lead to overheating problems and cause damage to the internal components of the device. Hence, it is recommended to ensure that your laptop’s fan is functioning properly.

How to find out whether the laptop fan is not working

If the blades of your laptop fan are not spinning, it is a sure sign that it has gone bad. A normally functioning laptop fan makes a low humming noise. A malfunctioning fan, on the other hand, can be completely silent because it has stopped working, or will make an unusually loud or rattling noise.

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Your system may start showing warning or error messages related to fan failure. If the fan is working in an abnormal manner, the laptop may encounter problems, such as freezing and slowdowns during resource intensive tasks, mainly because of inadequate cooling and heat dissipation.

Simple methods to fix the laptop fan not working issue

Here are some easy tasks you can perform to fix a malfunctioning laptop fan.

1. Clear out dust and debris

You can use a small brush or compressed air in an angled manner to push out dust and debris from vents and the fan area. Make sure not to push the dust and debris further inside.

2. Monitor internal temperature

You can make use of a temperature monitoring software to see whether the laptop’s internal temperature is abnormally high. If it becomes too hot, there could be an issue with the fan or cooling system.

3. Check the power plan

Check the power plan settings on your laptop. If it is set to power saving mode, the laptop fan may function at a slower speed.

4. Adjust fan speed

If you have a high-performance laptop, it may come preloaded with software from the manufacturer that allows you to adjust the fan speed. It may provide options like “Auto,” “Max,” and “Custom” for changing the fan speed, thereby confirming whether it is functioning normally.

5. Check BIOS settings

There is a possibility that the fan may be disabled or set to function at a slow speed in the BIOS settings. You can access the BIOS settings during startup and configure the fan as per your preferences.

There is a possibility that something is obstructing the fan blades, that there is a loose or broken power connection, or that the fan has stopped working altogether. You can only resolve such cases by disassembling the laptop. You can refer to some online videos of your laptop’s specific model to fix the issue on your own. It is recommended to wear an anti-static wrist strap or work on an anti-static mat to prevent damage to sensitive components.

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If you are not confident about disassembling the laptop, it is advisable to seek assistance from a qualified technician or simply contact official customer support. It goes without saying that if your under-warranty laptop encounters a fan-related issue, it is best to get it fixed by authorised service centres to avoid voiding the warranty.