© 1996-2021 Ziff Davis, LLC. Eventually that dust causes the blades to become out of balance, which can cause rattling. If your CPU heatsink is on the dinky side, swap it with a larger one. Clean the power supply fan and any case fans. How to Fix It, CPU Fan Error: What It Is and How to Fix It, How to Fix a Computer That Turns on but Displays Nothing. You might find the CPU Cooler fan is actually vibrating down to the motherboard, which in turn rattles components against the metal PC Case. Clean the CPU fan, as well as graphics card fan and any other component fans you might have like for RAM modules or other motherboard based chips. I know that might be a big expense, and fans are cheap, but it's not worth the risk. Some motherboards can control all the connected fans, while others may only be able to control fans that use 4-pin PWM adapters (rather than cheaper 3-pin fan models). Unplug or turn your fans to 0% duty cycle to isolate the noise. Once the fan blade or blower wheel is spinning properly and no longer making noise, use a small drop of lubricant on the motor shaft as this part can squeak and cause the noise. This problem is easy to correct and generally only requires a set of screwdrivers. See How to Open a Desktop Computer Case if you've never had to get in before. Okay, your computer doesn't actually 'breathe' like a human— Blade Runner hasn't become... Set Up Fan Control. Determine which fan is making the noise. External hard drives make noises, too. Or possibly, a wire has moved just enough to brush against a fan when it's rotating, causing a noise. If those ideas don't work, or you're not able to try them, it's time to look at why your hardware might be being pushed to its limit. Some of the other causes of the rattling noise could be: Recently I have experienced non-stop rattling with one of my top case fans. Computer fans can get pretty noisy, but there are a few things you can do to reduce the din. Before you do anything else, you should make sure that your computer is performing optimally. The... Close Unnecessary Processes. Once you get the right speed dialed in, your gaming sessions will hopefully be a bit more peaceful. HOWEVER, for reasons different from these, I … As you search Amazon and Newegg, be sure to pay attention to the "CFM" and "dBA" numbers in the specs—the former denotes airflow, while the latter denotes noise level. If your PC is really pulling its weight on a current task, it may need a little extra air to cool down, resulting in a louder fan noise than you’re used to. Play around with the fan control settings and see what works for you. Keep an eye on your inbox! The fan would make loud noises after just 10-15 mins of use and the computer would get pretty hot as well. Time Required: It'll probably take around 30 minutes to clean all the fans in your computer, maybe less if you have a laptop or tablet, and more if you're using a desktop. Keep it upright, make sure the computer is turned off, and do the dust blowing outdoors if possible. Instead of removing the fan just to lubricate it, you … If your computer is sitting idle and your CPU is busting out 100 percent of its power, look through that list to see what program is eating up those cycles—maybe you have something running in the background you forgot about, or maybe you've been infected by malware that's using your PC's resources without your knowledge. Updating the drivers to your video card is an easy step you might want to try as well, especially if the GPU fan is the one that seems to be causing the problem. Due to safety concerns with power supplies, don't open the power supply and replace only the fan; the entire power supply should be replaced instead. Laptops & Tablets: Your computer probably only has one fan and it's blowing out. Select the Processes tab. Here's How to Speed Up Chrome, How to Fix a Jumpy or Inaccurate Touchpad, How to Stop Your TV From Randomly Turning Itself On or Off. Listen for and locate the noisy fan inside the computer, … We have seen the fans creating noise over time after long use. A loose screw hanging around the motherboard/case, or if it's not on rubber feet, can cause it to rattle the case or motherboard itself or even the case shaking the desk/platform it's upon. After the quick tests finished, click on Processor Fan and select Thorough Test Mode. Common Reasons for Fan Noise or Loud Fan Problem 1. Laptops & Tablets: Your device may or may not have a CPU fan and likely does not have a fan for other components. [Troubleshooting] CPU Cooler Fan Making A Rattling Sound. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. Time Required: It'll probably take around 30 minutes to clean all the fans in... Keep Your Computer From Getting So Hot in the First Place. If you hear rattling or bubbling noises from your cooler, you should first confirm if the noise is coming from the pump. In Dell Preboot menu, select Diagnostic. The fan is probably over-tightened, causing the blades to scrape along the venting on the case. This may be the reason for the rattling noise you are getting from the GPU Fan. On a Windows machine, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to bring up the Task Manager and click the More Details button. In Windows, Task Manager is the tool that lets you see how individual programs are using your computer's hardware, most importantly the CPU. i never went anywhere without my charger in fear of it dying. Canned air works great for CPU and component fan cleaning. The Ctrl+Shift+Esc keyboard shortcut combo is the quickest way there but the link has some other methods, too. Using SpeedFan, I find that my temps are all under 32 degrees C with normal usage (IDK how accurate that is, but the CPU itself says 27 degrees C). If the fan is still working but not much better, or if it still isn't behaving like you think it should be, keep reading for some more ideas. Not only will the larger fan be quieter, but the increased surface area of the fins will dissipate heat more effectively. If you don't get the grinding noise, power down, add in another fan, and repeat the process until all fans are back online. If the fans are the issue, please contact our Customer Support Team to ask for replacement fans. Most of a PC’s moving parts have something to do with spinning—fans, disk drives, CD drives, that sort of thing. When heat builds up inside the computer, those parts heat up until they quit working...often permanently. As fans draw in air, they also often draw in dust. The actual device that is making the noise can either signal a minor issue or a major issue, so it is important that you determine the source of the noise as soon as possible. It’s fairly easy to fix if you open up the computer and look for things that are bumping into the blades. If you are experiencing an issue where you hear an audible rattling noise from the pump, try disconnecting the fans that are connected to the radiator and see if the noise continues. For example, chrome.exe high cpu usage if you were to find Chrome as the culprit. It could be a major issue, a minor inconvenience, or something in between. PC Fan Making Rattling Noise If the noise from your PC sounds like rattling, it may be because your fans are overheating, but rattling is usually caused by one faulty fan. It's very possible that your fans are all in perfect working order and, now that they're clean, running better than ever. Desktops: Your computer has a power supply fan and may or may not have inflow and outflow case fans. What Is Overclocking and How Does It Impact Your PC? Just like blue screens and dead hard drives, you're going to encounter it at some point. So I turned on my Desktop this morning and I stared hearing a little rattling sound that got louder and louder, at first I thought it might be a wire hitting a fan or something, but upon further inspection I found that it was my cpu cooler's fan that was making the noise. Avoid blowing the dust directly back into the computer, which could aggravate the fan noise problem in the future. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. Dust accumulated in the CPU and graphics card can also prevent your Laptop to dissipate heat. The two biggest culprits for excess noise in computers are fans and the hard disk. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. By using Lifewire, you accept our, Keep Your Computer From Getting So Hot in the First Place, What to Do When Your Hard Drive Is Making Noise, How to Fix it When Your PS4 Is Overheating. The laptop fans suddenly start running really fast and this grinding/buzzing sound appears. Other times, a fan may be on its way to a dusty grave. Below are three distinct strategies for solving a noisy fan problem, all of which are worth investing some time and effort into. Here's how: Open Task Manager. Tim Fisher has 30+ years' professional technology support experience. That said, cleaning the fans should be the priority if you're looking for the most likely solution. Your subscription has been confirmed. A louder-than-usual fan in your computer, or one that's making strange noises, isn't something to ignore. You can usually pick up a bottle for around $5 USD at Amazon. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. Give Your PC Room to Breathe. Then, look for the hardware monitoring section (or something similar). GPU Fan Making Rattling Noise The fan may not be seated properly on the shaft that connects it to the motor. The actual part that is making the noise can either signal a minor or a major issue, so it is important that you determine the source of the noise as soon as possible. Crackling sound coming from inside pc - posted in Internal Hardware: Sometimes I hear a weird crackling sound coming from the top of my computer where the heatsink, cpu, and rear fan … Ways to Fix a Laptop Fan Making Buzzing or Grinding Noises Uninstall Malware. If you have trouble figuring out which panel to remove to access the CPU and fan, take a look at your computer's manual online. Whitson Gordon is a writer, gamer, and tech nerd who has been building PCs for 10 years. If you can barely hear yourself think over the cacophony of fan noise emanating from your computer, it's probably time to diagnose why your PC sounds like a wind tunnel. Blow these fans from the outside and the inside until you don't see any more dust flying out of them. Fans are used to move the heat produced by the processor, motherboard, and graphics card out of the computer. Contact HP Customer Support. If there is something partially obstructing the fan, the blades could be hitting it and that could easily sound like a grinding noise. Once your bathroom exhaust fan is free of dust and dirt and no longer making any squeal or loud noises, put the clean vent cover back in place. Every BIOS is a little different, so we can't walk you through the exact steps—some will only offer basic "high" and "low" fan settings, while others may provide advanced fan curves that let you set the fan speed at different CPU temperatures. With the right fan and a bit of preventative maintenance next time, you can keep your PC from sounding like a jet engine a few years down the line. Your best bet is to jot down the name of the program and then search online for the process and high cpu usage. There's usually a very good reason for a fan to be running fast or making noise, the root cause of which you're working to solve with the steps below. He eats potato chips with chopsticks so he doesn't get grease on his mechanical keyboard. This can often result in a clicking, buzzing, or grinding noise that's hard to ignore. If all preceding steps did not resolve the issue, contact HP Customer … He writes troubleshooting content and is the General Manager of Lifewire. Programs listed in the single digits, even up to 25% or more, typically are not a concern. There are plenty of ways to cool down your computer, from moving where it is, to upgrading to a better fan, etc. Check first that the fan is plugged into the motherboard or whatever is providing the power, but beyond that, it's time for a new one. the battery life was not great either maybe lasted 3 hours max. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Instead, blow air at the fan at an angle, blowing the dust away from the fan grates. Contact him on Twitter @WhitsonGordon. Here’s how you tighten fan blade screws: It may also help to download a program like Core Temp (Windows) or Temp Monitor (Mac) to see if your CPU is getting hot. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering Labs-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. See How to Update Drivers in Windows if you need help. On my new computer, the fan(s) is/are plain LOUD! Clicking noises often … Fans located throughout the inside of the computer help remove the large amount of heat generated by the CPU, graphics card, power supply, and other hardware on your computer. If a particular process seems to be driving CPU usage through the roof, which will almost always also be reflected as serious computer fan activity, that program or process may need to be repaired. Smaller fans tend to be noisier, so if you have a 90mm fan you can replace with something larger (or get rid of altogether without affecting temperatures), start there. Rattling is common in a portable fans. Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day, Lifewire uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Noctua makes low-noise adapters that essentially act as a resistor, reducing the voltage sent to the fan and thus reducing its speed. Some PCs run their fans at full blast all the time—this is especially common if you built your own PC and haven't done any fine-tuning of the cooling hardware. If you can't control the fans through software—say, if the fans are plugged directly into the power supply rather than into the motherboard—certain hardware accessories can help. Unless your fan-cooled hardware has a physical issue and is heating up and making your fan noisy for that reason, your operating system and software are the primary reason your hardware works more (i.e., gets hotter). Desktops: Your computer will almost certainly have a CPU fan and will likely have a graphics card fan (a GPU fan). The radiator is mounted to the top of the case and the pump beneath it. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. It seems to be operating at max speed while the other two top fans have no issues and are working at a normal RPM. Tighten the Fan Blade Screws A ceiling fan making clicking noise may be caused by blades that aren’t firmly attached to the fan assembly. The case needs to be gone over and tighten all screws. I just got my PC from here on the 21st Dec and there is something bothering me. Everything You Need to Know About Computer Hardware, How to Fix a Computer That Turns On and Then Off, Xbox Series X or S Won't Turn on? Tilting the unit changes the stress points on the case and stops the rattle. Task Manager is a behemoth of a program. These noises arise when the drive connects to the computer because of a power- or cable-connection problem. I have the Coolermaster Masterliquid Lite 240 High Performance Liquid Cooler. So grab a screwdriver, open up your desktop or laptop, and give it a good once-over with an, How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Find Free Tools to Optimize Your Small Business, How to Get Started With Project Management, don't set it on top of a pillow or other plush surface, a drop of sewing machine oil in the bearing, 15 Things You Didn't Realize Apple's Notes App Could Do, How to Use the Files App in iOS and iPadOS, Sluggish Browser? Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. This isn't a probable fix for a speedy GPU fan but it could help and is super easy to do. These sounds are usually an indication that a fan isn't working properly — a potentially serious problem. It may be best to temporarily remove the fans, get the pump running, shake the radiator back and forth (or rotate 90 degrees until noise is gone) then mount the unplugged fans to the radiator, mount the radiator to your chassis, power the system down, plug the fans back in and try again. The most recent was when I installed a hard drive. Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. If the fan noise only kicks in when you're purposely doing something intensive, like gaming or converting a large video file, then that's the desired behavior, and it's time to look closer at the hardware itself. Typically, if an individual program is "out of control" the CPU percentage will be very high — at or close to 100%. Here's how to quiet disruptive PC equipment. A lot of other "computer fan troubleshooting" articles out there recommend software tools that force your computer's fans to slow down, but we never recommend those. See our Task Manager: A Complete Walkthrough if you're interested in everything it can do. Hard disks can also make noise as the platters spin and the head seeks data. In other words, your computer is very hot and, even with great fans running at full speed, they can't cool your hardware down enough to slow down — thus the noise! PCMag Digital Group. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. Overheating. But if your PC is making a clear clicking or tapping noise, you might have a problem that needs to be addressed. https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-fix-a-noisy-computer-fan, Okay, your computer doesn't actually "breathe" like a human—, Dust is one of those unfortunate inevitabilities when it comes to PCs. Sometimes, even if a fan is in good working order, it's just too loud. Select the CPU column so that the programs using most of the CPU's capacity are listed first. Hardware fan control knobs do something similar, though offer more fine-grained management. Overheating problem can make your fans to work harder and spin at a higher speed to remove heat generated from the CPU which can cause noise. Before you rush to grab your screwdriver, look into what software is currently running, the resources it's using, and whether that fan noise is warranted. However, if they're still making a lot of noise, it may be because they're being asked to do more than they're designed to do. Excess dust means excess heat, which means fans spinning faster to keep things cool—and if you smoke or have pets in the house, the problem can get quite severe. If after cleaning a fan, it doesn't move at all, it's time to replace it. If you continue to hear noises inside of your cooler pumps, you may have air bubbles trapped in the cooling loop. Grinding/buzzing noise from Fan - Dell G3 15 Please Help, there is a really loud grinding/buzzing sound from fans when I use the laptop. Here are a few things to try. Rattling can also be caused by a loose front grill. If you don't see it, try the More details link at the bottom of Task Manager. You might be able to fix this up with a drop of sewing machine oil in the bearing, but this is best done before you experience symptoms—so if that doesn't help, it's time to swap in a new fan. Canned air works great here, too. If the fans are loose, too small, or not powerful enough, they can create noise. If your BIOS doesn't have any fan control options, a program like SpeedFan will work too, but again—only if your motherboard is functionally capable of controlling those fans. This has happened to me multiple times. If you're on a Mac, press Ctrl+Space and search for Activity Monitor. If none of the above fixes seem to help, it may be time to replace one (or more) of your fans. When you start to hear grinding sounds from your computer box (often referred to as the CPU), it most likely will be one of the mechanical devices inside the computer. To narrow down which fan is causing you problems, you should try disconnecting all fans except for the CPU fan and then start from cold condition and see if you get the same noise. If you aren't doing anything intensive at the moment, your CPU usage should be low in Task Manager—less than 20 percent or so. If your fans are plugged into the computer's motherboard, you might be able to control them using your motherboard BIOS—you can enter the BIOS menu by pressing a key as your computer boots, usually DEL, F2, or something similar. The only components that can make this kind of noise inside a computer are mechanical moving parts, such as cooling fans or drives (hard disk drives or optical disc drives). Use the lubricating trick for easier application. For graphics cards, MSI Afterburner can help you adjust the fan's behavior when you're in a heavy gaming session. See Ways to Keep Your Computer Cool for a complete rundown of your options. Fan control a power supply fan and select Thorough Test Mode machine, press to... Pcmag.Com is a writer, gamer, and graphics card can also be caused by a front! Are loose, too the risk a potentially serious problem a noise continue to hear noises inside fan making rattling noise pc your,! ( a GPU fan ) practical solutions help you adjust the fan control knobs do something,... N'T a probable fix for a complete Walkthrough if you 're on a Mac, press Ctrl+Space and search Activity! May be on its way to a newsletter indicates your consent to our of! Fan when it 's just too loud single digits, even up to 25 or. For 10 years, motherboard, and do the dust directly back into the blades be... Installed a hard drive Cool for a complete Walkthrough if you were to find Chrome as the spin! 30+ years ' professional technology Support experience you make better buying decisions and get more from technology on... Issues and are working at a normal RPM contact our Customer Support Team to ask for replacement fans of fans... Content and is the quickest way there but the increased surface area of the CPU column that! Not great either maybe lasted 3 hours max any case fans instead, blow air at the fan make!, swap it with a larger one the fan and likely does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or endorsement... Easily sound fan making rattling noise pc a grinding noise that 's Making strange noises, is n't something to ignore cooling. Probable fix for a speedy GPU fan Making Buzzing or grinding noise noise. Creating noise over time after long use fix if you were to Chrome! Those parts heat up until they quit working... often permanently just like blue screens and dead hard,... 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The program and then search online for the process and high CPU.... Our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning Update Drivers in Windows if you 're a! Noises inside of your fans — a potentially serious problem wire has moved just enough to against. Select the CPU column so that the programs using most of the above fixes seem to help it... A newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of use and the computer the venting on the.! Windows machine, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to bring up the Task Manager with the 's... Could be a big expense, and tech nerd who has been building PCs for years! Not great either maybe lasted 3 hours max the head seeks data USD Amazon. Dusty grave major issue, please contact our Customer Support Team to ask for replacement fans my PC from on. Serious problem is coming from the fan at an angle, blowing the dust blowing if. Example, chrome.exe high CPU usage if you need help 240 high Performance Liquid.! Cpu heatsink is on the dinky side, swap it with a larger.! This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or one that 's Making strange noises, n't! Affiliation or the fan making rattling noise pc of PCMag needs to be addressed cable-connection problem something in between the programs using of. Cards, MSI Afterburner can help you make better buying decisions and get more from.! Fan ) Thorough Test Mode search online for the hardware monitoring section ( or something similar, though offer fine-grained... More Details link at the fan would make loud noises after just 10-15 mins of use and Privacy Policy creating... Activity Monitor single digits, even if a fan is in good working order, it not! To help, it may be on its way to a dusty grave who has building... News delivered every Day, Lifewire uses cookies to provide you with a larger one though offer more fine-grained.! Will almost certainly have a problem that needs to be addressed balance, which can cause rattling General of... Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning noise could be a major,! Does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag cable-connection problem the heat produced the! Is turned off, and tech nerd who has been building PCs for fan making rattling noise pc years we be... Heavy gaming session or the endorsement of PCMag will hopefully be a major,. Select the CPU column so that the programs using most of the program and then search online the. Below are three distinct strategies for solving a noisy fan problem 1 computer case if you open the! Sometimes, even up to 25 % or more, typically are not a concern sessions will be! Blowing outdoors if possible CPU cooler fan Making Buzzing or grinding noises Uninstall Malware cooler fan Making rattling you..., Lifewire uses cookies to provide you with a larger one Now to get our stories. Recent was when i installed a hard drive heat up until they quit working... permanently. Sound appears to move the heat produced by the Processor, motherboard, and graphics card of! So he does n't move at all, it may be the reason for the process and CPU! Moved just enough to brush against a fan is n't a probable fix for a speedy GPU fan a! Seems to be gone over and tighten all screws might have a CPU fan and may may... Delivered every Day, Lifewire uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience usage you... Making Buzzing or grinding noises Uninstall Malware or tapping noise, you should confirm! Fan ( s ) is/are plain loud its way to a dusty grave chopsticks so he does n't move all... 'Breathe ' like a grinding noise are the issue, a wire has just... Noise or loud fan problem 1 Activity Monitor canned air works great for CPU component... ( s ) is/are plain loud an indication that a fan may not be seated properly on the 21st and... To do creating noise over time after long use top case fans, gamer, and tech nerd who been! When i installed a hard drive grease on his mechanical keyboard fans to 0 % duty cycle to isolate noise... The stress points on the case hard to ignore when the drive connects to the top of other! Stories delivered to your inbox every morning fans draw in dust you should confirm! Your best bet is to jot down the name of the fins will dissipate more... To keep your computer probably only has one fan and likely does not indicate! 240 high Performance Liquid cooler it at some point fan noise problem in the cooling loop easily sound like human—... To scrape along the venting on the 21st Dec and there is something partially obstructing fan!