Laptops are supposed to be portable and easy to carry around, but when their fan suddenly starts making lots of noise, and you don't know how to fix them, your laptop can be a lot less convenient to carry around!
One of the most annoying things about laptop computers is their noise. The fan inside your computer's hard drive gets loud and makes noise. This isn't very pleasant during lectures, meetings, or even when trying to relax in a coffee shop.
But why does it happen? What causes my laptop fan to make so much noise? And what can you do about it? This article will discuss why your laptop fan is so loud with fixes to help you sort out the issue. Read on!
1. Dirty/Obstructed Fans
The most common reason your laptop fan is loud is dirty or obstructed. Dust and other debris build up over time and get in between the cooling fan blades, making it harder for air to pass through them.
When this happens, the fan will have to work harder and spin faster to keep your device cool. This causes more friction between the blades and frame of the fan and produces more noise and heat than normal.
To prevent this from happening in the first place, keep your laptop clean by regularly cleaning out any dust from inside the case or underneath it, if possible, by blowing compressed air through the vents at least once per month. Clean out the debris inside and outside of your laptop's fan assembly.
2. Blocked Vents
If your laptop isn't getting enough air through the vents, it will overheat and shut down automatically. This is a common problem with laptops that have been dropped or crushed in their cases because they've been forced into an unnatural position.
To fix this problem, you can open up your laptop and check whether there is any dust blocking the vents on either side of the CPU fan (near where the screen hinge connects to the bottom of your laptop). Use a compressed air canister to blow out any dust trapped there for months or years!
3. Faulty Fans
If your laptop is running hot, it could be due to a faulty fan. Fans are supposed to move air through the system to keep it cool and prevent overheating. When the fan fails, you can expect a lot of heat buildup inside the case, which will cause the CPU and other components to overheat.
The first sign of a faulty fan is if your laptop makes strange noises or if it makes no noise at all when running on battery power. This can happen if something gets stuck between the fan's blades, preventing it from spinning freely.
Take apart your laptop and clean out any dust or dirt clogging up the blades if this happens. If your laptop runs fine on AC power but starts making strange noises when running on battery power, it might be time for a new fan!
4. Overheating CPU
If your laptop is running hot and loud, this could mean that your CPU is overheating due to a lack of cooling. When your computer gets too hot, it shuts down automatically to prevent damage to itself.
The solution here is to clean out all the dust inside your laptop. Use compressed air or a vacuum cleaner to clean out any dust accumulated inside your computer. Many laptops have removable keyboards that you can take off and use compressed air on.
If this doesn't solve the problem, then it's possible that your fan has stopped working correctly or has become clogged with dust itself, preventing it from spinning correctly. Here, replacing the fan will fix the issue.
5. Insufficient ventilation
If your laptop has insufficient ventilation due to its design or location, it may overheat more quickly. For example, if you keep your laptop under a pillow or blanket while using it on a bed, then there won't be enough airflow for cooling purposes. If there isn't enough ventilation for proper cooling, consider moving it somewhere else (e.g., on top of a table) so that airflow can easily reach all system areas.
6. Outdated Drivers
The drivers installed on your computer determine how well it runs, so if you have outdated drivers, this can cause problems with your laptop's fan speed. For example, if you have an older version of Windows 10 installed on your machine, then there's a chance that you may have outdated drivers. Ensure that you have updated these drivers before trying other solutions to fix this problem with your fan speed.
7. Software Errors
Errors in software, such as viruses and malware, can cause your laptop to overheat. Viruses and malware will consume your system resources and make your computer work harder than it should.
This will cause the fan to work harder, making it louder. If you have any doubts about your computer's security, run a scan with an anti-virus program to check for any issues. If one is found, you can remove it by following the instructions given by the program.
8. Out of Date BIOS
If your laptop is over two years old, it might be worth checking the BIOS to see if it needs updating. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the software that runs when you switch on your computer and check all the hardware components to make sure they're working correctly.
A new version available for your system will let you know during the boot process with a message like “BIOS Update Needed.” If you've been ignoring this message for months or even years, the chances are high that there are bugs in your current BIOS, causing problems with overheating and loud fan noise.
9. Malware
Malware is a virus that infects your computer by hiding on websites or in email attachments. If you've been using the same password across different websites and services, that makes you more vulnerable to malware attacks. If you suspect malware is causing your laptop fan problem, use an anti-virus program like Avast Antivirus to scan your system for viruses and other malicious programs.
10. Lots of Background Programs Taking Up Resources
If your laptop is running slow or feeling sluggish, this could be due to many background programs running on your computer. You might not even be aware that these programs are running or using resources.
Some programs may use more help than others, leading to an overall increase in sound coming from your laptop's cooling fan. The only way to fix this issue is by closing all unnecessary programs so that your system isn't loaded down with too much work.
11. Maybe Other Hardware handles the Increased Noise and Not the Fans.
An increase in noise from your laptop's cooling fans could be that there's something else wrong with them besides being dirty or clogged with dust and dirt particles. A faulty fan motor or one that isn't spinning at its proper speed can also cause this problem, and so can faulty bearings inside of your fan itself that make it rotate at too high of a rate, which causes it to vibrate more than usual when operating.
12. You Have Opened Many Tabs
The more tabs you have open, the more processor and memory resources your browser needs to load everything. This can cause your laptop to overheat and the fan to spin up louder than normal. If you're using one tab, close all of your other tabs and see if that helps.
Wrap Up
If the fan is making a lot of noise, it could be for several reasons. The problems can be anything from the buildup of dirt and dust to damage to the laptop. It all depends on the laptop and how you use it.
