A whole lot of users struggle with the inconvenience of loud fan noise from their laptops, and if this is you, how do you fix a laptop that makes loud noise?
We are sure you would love to know-how, so keep on reading.
We discovered that most computer users do not dedicate the needed attention to the operation status of their laptop systems till an issue pops up.
Laptop fan noises are one of the common laptop issues that many people face, and we’ve been able to identify the causes of this problem, and also provide ten ways how to fix a laptop fan making noise.
After you’ve gone through these methods to fix your laptop, you should end up with a quiet and sound system.
Why is my laptop fan so loud?
Dust and Dirt Build Up
One of the most common causes of a noisy laptop fan is dust. This causes damage to your laptop in diverse ways.
Some include; obstruction to the laptop fans leading to loud noises, and also affecting vital hardware.
The processor of your laptop is a major part so it is advisable to clean your system frequently to also dust build up in those areas. With time debris and dust accumulate around the cooling system.
This can be a hindrance to airflow, and can also cause laptop overheating and abnormal fan operation.
Also, a laptop making a grinding noise can be a result of dust close to the CPU fan, which will cause the fan to be less effective.
Software Issues
Fan noise can also be triggered by issues related to software problems.
Microsoft can bring out an update that may not be optimized and can cause issues in your system. This will increase the speed of your fan as your computer tries to keep the temperature under control, and this can make your laptop fan loud but not hot.
Clogged Air Vents
The loud noise generated by your new laptop fan can also be a result of the failure of your computer to run efficiently and clogged air vents. The air vent can be blocked by anything.
Accumulation of dust around and on the fan blades will lead to the laptop making a buzzing sound and freezes. Use a damp rag to remove debris and dust on the fan blades.
Also, if there is an obstruction to the fan, the blades might be hitting that obstruction, thereby causing the noise.
Faulty Cooling Fans
At some point, your cooling fans may become weak and significantly reduce ineffectiveness. As you continue to use them, they begin to wear out, until they eventually die out.
You won’t be able to run your laptop on a bad fan, so if your laptop fan is damaged, it has to be replaced.
If you are familiar with computer repairs, taking the faulty fans out wouldn’t be so difficult.
But remember that the moment you perform personal repairs on your computer, the warranty is void. It’s only valid when the repair is carried out by a certified professional.
10 ways to Fix Laptop Fan Noise
1. Change Your System’s Settings
When there are no intensive tasks or games running in a new laptop system, and your fan still sounds loud, then the problem is from the system.
Thoroughly inspect your CPU usage. After a proper check and you can’t find any fault, you have to change your system’s settings to reduce the noise.
On a Windows 10 system, go to START. Click on Settings, and then System. After that, move to Power & Sleep, and open Additional Power Settings.
Click on Change Plan Settings. Locate the Change Advanced Power Settings and click on it. Press the Processor Power Management, and click on System Cooling Policy in the Menu. Select Passive; change the System Cooling Policy from Active to Passive. Then click on the OK option.
2. Clean The Fans
When your fan sounds abnormal or produces loud noise, and you have a reduced air volume, then your fan has too much dust settled on it or it can also be due to inhalation of sundries, which can lead to a very low heat dissipation fan efficiency.
Most especially when you’ve never cleaned your laptop system before.
To fix this situation, you have to remove the built-up dust from your fans and heat sink.
If you don’t know how to wipe off the dust on your own, you should take It to the nearest repair shop for proper maintenance.
The wrong cleaning approach can damage other components, and you don’t want to add other problems to the list.
Once your laptop fans have been well cleaned, the sound produced from the fans should now be very low.
3. Replace Your Cooling Fans
If your laptop is more than four years old, then cleaning might not be sufficient enough to stop the noise as the heat dissipation efficiency is not good enough for the system to function as it should.
We won’t advise cleaning as the only solution to a loud fan above three years old. In this case, you might have to change your laptop’s cooling fans.
Do not try replacing your laptop fans on your own, if you do not have the necessary know-how.
We always suggest that persons in this category should go to the repair shop for the right repair.
But if you own an ultrabook then replacing or cleaning your cooling fan shouldn’t be an issue.
You just have to take off the cover at the back, and once you’ve gotten that out, the rest should be easy.
When replacing the laptop fan, apply thermal grease to avoid complications on your GPU and CPU.
Still, if you do not understand this procedure it is better to take your laptop to the repair shop than risk destroying the fan altogether.
4. Create More Room For Your Laptop To Cool Down
Most people use their laptops without thinking of the amount of heat dissipation and airflow in the system until they keep the laptop on their laps.
The air vents of most laptops are under the system, so your laptop will definitely get hotter whenever you put it on your lap, and that is because your lap is blocking the fan vents.
By placing your laptop on your lap, the heat generated within the system will not be able to be transferred out, leading to heat buildup and that can increase your fan noise due to overworking. It might even damage your fans.
A quick solution is to avoid placing your laptop surfaces that won’t provide their base room for airflow.
You can opt-in for laptop stands, check our article on the best laptop stands to get the right one for your needs.
When your laptop base has enough room for airflow, your fan won’t have to work extra hard and it will prevent your system from overheating.
5. Get Rid Of Viruses And Malware
Viruses and Malware are usual disturbances that can cause complications in your laptop.
Although Macbooks are highly immune to these types of afflictions, you might still experience malware infections.
If you can’t spot the reason for the loud fan noise from your computer, then it is most likely a virus or malware problem.
This problem can stop your system from functioning effectively.
It can cause your laptop to begin running irrelevant processes continuously, and this can increase your laptop temperature, which will in turn increase the fan speed level.
The most appropriate way of handling viruses and malware from occurring now, or in the future is to equip your laptop with good antivirus software.
There is free and effective antivirus software that will diagnose your system after scanning, and also remove a certain amount of the viruses.
You might have to pay for the unlimited version to get the whole thing out of your system, but it’s worth it.
6. Clean Your Air Vents
Unclogging your air vents is a good place to begin fixing fan noise issues in your laptop.
Plus, it is so easy and cheap and it is most times the reason why laptops begin to produce so much noise.
A laptop system has two vents, one of the vents is to allow the inflow of cool air, while another one is to allow hot air to escape.
If any of these vents get clogged, then your fan will have to work extra.
You can easily spot your vents by looking around the base of your laptop. If you notice the accumulation of dust in those areas, then you have a problem.
You must wipe off the vent holes with a towel or cloth, or you can use a dust removal spray to get rid of them.
Also, inspect the surface your laptop rests on, it’s also possible that the fan vents are blocked. Avoid putting laptops on soft surfaces.
7. Get A Laptop Cooling Pad
Although this might be an expensive option, you also have to consider the fact that it is very effective.
Overheating is a common problem with laptop systems, typically with modern systems, so manufacturers use coolers to make up for the insufficient in-built cooling fan.
The laptop coolers ensure your laptop gets a constant and sufficient airflow running into the system, rapidly cooling your internal components.
This also means far less work for your in-built fans, so they don’t have to work that much.
Be careful, there are a lot of laptop cooling pads on the market.
It’s important you get the perfect one for your system, and to get that you have to check our guide on the best laptop cooling pads to select from the best coolers out there.
8. End All Irrelevant Processes
You can open your Task Manager, and see just how many background processes are running in the background.
You might not be able to determine what most of them are being used for.
However, some processes are essential to keep your system functional, do not tamper with those.
But others are so unnecessary, and while they are on, your battery power goes down the drain.
Too many processes give your system a higher workload, and that spikes up its temperature, causing your fans to run faster and louder.
You can close those irrelevant processes through your Task Manager.
Unnecessary processes can be related to internet browsers, games, and video and music players.
Ending these processes will relieve your system of a significant amount of workload, and this will also reduce the stress on your fan.
You should now have a quieter fan operation.
9. Swap Your Old Laptop For A New One
It’s no secret that modern laptops run on better and newer technology, and also operate quieter than old laptops.
You can try using several processes or methods to make your old laptop run quietly, but it can never be as quiet as a new modern laptop.
If you’ve used your laptop for more than four years, and it produces so much noise now, then it’s time you swap it for a newer system.
You can head down to your computer or electronic store to check out some new laptops and see how they sound. You will be amazed at how low the fan noise is.
Changing your old laptop for a new one can be a high investment, you should explore other options to get your fan noise down before going ahead to replace the laptop.
10. Give A Professional To Inspect Your Fan
If you have exhausted all these methods to get your laptop fan noise reduced and you haven’t succeeded, then it is time you seek the services of a professional.
A laptop repair technician will be able to detect and fix the cause of your fan noise problem easily. Even when the noise is not coming from your fan.
You don’t have to exercise all options on your own before reaching out to the technicians. You can just jump right up to this stage to save time and energy.
Although, it might cost you, at least you are sure that the issue will be fixed once and for all. The fixing methods can be quite strenuous for some people.
You don’t have to spend your time trying a bunch of these methods, so why not let the experts take care of it for you?
This is the fastest way to get your system quite like a new one.
Tips: The best way to fix a laptop fan making noise is to clean the fan. To clean the fan, use a can of compressed air to blow the dust and dirt out.
FAQs
How do I stop my laptop from making noise?
Keep the laptop cool, try using software for your fan speed control, and clean your laptop frequently. If your laptop makes grinding, clicking or any other disturbing sound, kill irrelevant processes and check your hard drive. The answer to adjusting your laptop’s sound might just be to adjust the cooling system.
Although dust is the main culprit when your laptop starts making funny noises, it blocks the fans causing it to make uncomfortable sounds. Ensure to clean your system regularly. If your laptop fans are small, loose, or not powerful enough they can make noise.
The hard disk is also a possible factor behind loud fan noises, this happens when the head is seeking data as the platters are spinning. When your laptop starts making noise, it is a very disturbing sign which requires prompt attention.
Why is my laptop fan blowing hot air?
Check if the intake vents are allowing air in and if the outflow vent is letting air out. Suppose the air outflow is very low, then there is dust accumulation in the fan vents, the cooling channels, and the fan itself. Though dust accumulation is unavoidable too much or excess accumulation can be prevented by scheduled cleaning of the fan.
Why is my laptop fan so loud all of a sudden?
The typical factor responsible for systems with loud fan noise is Dust. Accumulation of dust can quickly damage your laptop system in several ways, including hindering the proper rotation of your fans, which can cause the fans to produce loud noises while in operation. To be able to clean your cooling fans, you have to open the fan area and blow out all the dust in your cooling. You should do this every year.
How can I control my laptop fan?
You can control your laptop fan via the Windows Power Plan Settings. You need to go to the Power icon in the Notification zone and Click on More Power Options. Select Change Advanced Power Settings, and when you open the Processor Power Management submenu, you will see the System Cooling Policy feature, if you have heat sensors installed in your laptop.
How do I clean my laptop CPU fan?
Clean your air vents with a soft cloth or you can also use cotton swabs. Please do not use tough material, as it can inflict more problems on your system. Vacuum your vents with a hand-held vac cleaner or try using a dusting attachment fixed on a household vac, this can effectively blow out the dust from your vents and fans.
Blow out dust from your system using compressed air. It might seem so easy to clean a laptop fan, but if not done properly, can lead to a lot of additional problems.
Conclusion
A noisy system isn’t pleasant to anyone using it. If you adhere to these instructions being laid out for you, then you shouldn’t battle with loud laptop fan noises anymore.
Sometimes, simple maintenance is all you need to get your laptop performing brand new.
Develop a regular maintenance habit for your laptop and other devices to prevent early issues like this.
There are a few things that might be going on with your laptop fan. If it’s making a lot of noise, there might be dust or dirt clogging up the fan blades.
If the noise is periodic, there might be something stuck between the blades. It could also just be the fan bearings getting dirty or wearing out.
If it’s making a lot of noise, first use canned air to try to blow out any dust or dirt that might be in the fan.