PC Fan Not Working

PC Fan Not Working

Method 1: Restart your computer

The CPU fan can easily be stopped with a finger or debris since it does not have much torque. To prevent the fan wiring from frying or any other damage, your fan will stop spinning even if you remove your finger or the debris. Restart your computer to clear this error.

Method 2: Clean your fan by blasting it with compressed air

Fans usually get clogged with dust. The buildup could reach the fan blades and prevent them from spinning since these fans do not produce a lot of torque. You can disassemble your fan and clean it. If you are not sure how to do that, get a can of compress air and blast it into the fan vents. Make sure that your fan does not get to high RPMs (Revolutions per minute) since it may damage the fan.

Method 3: Clear any wiring from the fan blades

Since CPU fans do not produce a lot of torque, wiring going into the fan motor can block the blades from spinning. Take down your fan and make sure that there are no wires or anything going into the fan blades. Secure the fan wiring onto the side using epoxy to ensure they do get in the way of the fan blades.

Method 4: Reset/Flash your BIOS

Your BIOS controls your fan. Resting it will clear any misconfigurations and get your fan working. To reset the BIOS:

Shut down your PC
1. Press the power button and immediately press F2 to enter into BIOS setup
1. Press F9 (or the load defaults button shown on the BIOS screen) to reset your BIOS
1. Press Esc or F10 and select “save and Exit” press Enter and allow your system to restart then check if the fan now works.

You can also reset your BIOS by removing all power cables, battery, and removing the CMOS battery and pressing the power button for at least 30 seconds.

Method 5: Replace your fan

If you have tested your fan on another PC and it doesn’t work, or you have tested a known working fan on your PC and it still doesn’t spin, then you will need to get a new fan. You should also ensure that you are getting a 3-5V or 12V on the CPU fans terminals to avoid any doubt.

Method 6: Replace your motherboard

The only sure way to know if your motherboard is the problem is to test a working CPU fan on your PC. If it also doesn’t spin, then you will need to replace your motherboard. If you have electrical skills, you can test if the CPU fan voltage output is between 3-5V or 12V. If there is no voltage or it is below 3V then your computer is not able to supply enough power to run the fan. You will need to replace your motherboard.

Make sure that your motherboard fits with your power supply unit and other components or you will have extra costs replacing the other components too.

Method 7: Replace your power supply unit

Replacing the motherboard is not usually a guarantee to solve this problem if you are on a desktop computer. Since laptops integrate the PSU onto the motherboard, replacing the motherboard will fix the problem. Desktop computers have a separate power supply unit that supplies 3V, 5V, 10V and 12V to your motherboard. If the 5V or 12V supply is dead, your fan will not work. This will therefore need you to replace the PSU.

You can tell that your PSU needs replacement when you get beeping sounds, or there is more than one component that won’t work (your monitor, fan, USBs, keyboard, mouse) or the computer starts for a while and then shuts down immediately.

Make sure that the PSU you are getting has similar supply ports with your replacement PSU otherwise they will not be compatible.