Computers are central to our everyday life, especially in the contemporary era of technological rise. Their immense use can sometimes cause them to malfunction, along with faults in their components, like graphics cards, hard disks, fans, and more. Let us know about ‘PC Fan Making Rattling Noise’.
PC fans are in place as they serve as ventilation objects for the computer. Their function is to keep dissipating the warmer air from the internals of the computer to keep other components from heating up. However, PC fans can make several noises when they are malfunctioning, like a rattling, whirring noise, etc. There are many reasons for this to happen, such as if the fans attained physical damage, a high temperature of the CPU, positioning of the computer, usage of heavy applications and software, or dust. One can easily find a fix, either replace the fans or clean them up.
PC fans can make several types of noise, and it is important to identify each since they all indicate a different error taking place.
Types of PC fan noise
- Fans making a slow, buzzing noise usually points toward issues with the hard disk
- Fans making a loud, whirring noise points toward the fact that it has been running too long and needs to cool its components
- Fans making rattling noise indicates loose wiring, high heating, etc.
- All sorts of noises could also mean physical damage to the fans
Reasons for a rattling noise
- Dust
When dirt particles have amassed on the fans and near the surrounding parts of the computer, the fans will make a rattling noise as they cannot move as freely. Fans on the CPU, RAM, and GPU will start malfunctioning due to the dirt.
- Cables
When fans attached to the CPU, RAM, and GPU have not been properly wired to their mount, they become loose as they keep spinning out of place while in use. This can result in rattling noises.
- Placement of the computer
If the computer’s CPU is placed on an uneven surface, facing either downward, diagonal or on its side, you may not notice but in this manner, the wires come in each other’s way, messing up the entire system and thus, causing the fans to make a rattling noise.
- Placing objects on the CPU
Many people have a habit of placing objects on top of their CPU, like decorative pieces or headsets, CD containers, etc. This load can cause the shelf to push down on the fans, if placed for a long time, resulting in the fans becoming loose or damaged. This can cause a rattling noise.
- The temperature of the GPU (graphics processing unit)
The rise in temperature of the GPU can result in overhearing. If there is any fault in the GPU like this, it will cause a rattling noise.
Problems with the GPU, which then cause issues with the PC fans, are usually due to the following:
- The temperature increases in the graphics processor (the temperature should be between 65 to 85 degrees Celsius)
- If the GPU conducts its operations faster within a second than the regular speed, which is called overclocking
- If the GPU has been physically damaged
The most common cause is the raised temperature, which you can check by:
- Open the task manager on your computer
- Open the tab for performance
- When that tab is open, you will be able to see several options like GPU, memory, etc.
- Locate the GPU
- You will be able to see its performance and temperature right next to it
- Heavy files
Certain files or software that you may have downloaded sometimes run too intensively on your computer, thus building up heat within. The fans then need to work more to get rid of the heat. Too much load on the fans like this can cause them to rattle and malfunction.
To confirm this cause, you can take the following steps:
- Go to the task manager on your computer
- Open “App History” (of the heavy file you recently downloaded)
- The data usage is displayed in MBs
- Check if your usage through any applications is more than what you would expect
- Blockage
There are grills located on the CPU that act as a window to dissipate the heat built up internally. If something is causing a blockage to the grills, the fans will start making rattling noises as they cannot get rid of the heat at a normal pace.
- Speed of fans
If the fans are functioning at a higher speed than normal, they will start making a rattling noise, which is caused by (as discussed):
- Blockage in grills
- Heavy applications
- The temperature of the GPU
- Damaged fans
One major reason why they may be making rattling noise is due to the damage attained by the fans. There could be many causes for the damage: the PC took a fall, something hit the CPU, the fans came damaged by the manufacturer, etc.
- Virus
Sometimes, a virus can impact the activity of the fans since it can mess with the storage and thus, heat dissipating activity. This can be identified if your fans are rattling even when you are not using the applications or programs on your computer.
Solutions to the rattling noise by fans
- Cleaning off the dust
Cleaning up the fans internally gets rid of the dust and thus, the rattling noise
- You are required to open the CPU with screwdrivers
- Assess the buildup and which spots need to be cleaned
- Use a cloth made of microfiber to clean it up
- Grease up the fans
- Make sure you are cleaning all the fans inside the CPU
Dust on the grills of the CPU can also result in the same issue.
- Use the cloth to clean the grills from the inside out
- Make sure you do not place the CPU near a dust source
- Keep the CPU out of a cabinet to make sure it is successfully getting rid of the internal heat
- Fasten the fans
Fastening the fans properly in place will solve the rattling noise problem.
- You are required to open the CPU with screwdrivers
- Check if the pins on the fans are loose, or if the fans are not mounted properly
- Use the screwdriver to fasten them back in place
- It is also advisable to use a rubber to absorb any vibrations within the computer, which will be placed between or beneath the fans
- Placement
Placing the computer on an even surface will set its position right and thus, the fans will work properly, getting rid of the rattle.
- Remove objects
If you have a habit of placing decorative pieces on top of the CPU, remove them immediately to terminate the downward force on the CPU and hence, on the fans. Once this happens, the fans will work properly without a rattling noise.
- GPU’s risen temperature
As discussed above, the temperature of the GPU can heat and thus, rattling in the fans. Once you have diagnosed this problem, the fix is:
- Make sure you are not using heavy programs that run your GPU to over-perform
- Use applications to help you track your GPU temperatures
- Open your computer and clean out the dirt with a soft cloth, as it is also one of the causes of a pink screen
- Ensure that the fans for GPU are working properly
- Files and programs
Deleting the heavy files or at least making sure they are not running in the background might make the rattle stop because the heat (internally) is minimized.
To stop activity in the background:
- Access the task manager on your computer
- Access the process tab
- Here, you will see the CPU option
- Select the end task option for the files/programs that consume the most task
- This will be clear via the percentage displayed in front of it
To delete the programs:
- Access the control panel of your computer from the windows icon on the bottom
- Open the programs and then choose the programs and features option
- Uninstall the heavy applications
- Run a scan for a virus
This step can be the solution to all other issues, in addition to being hacked as it tells whether the computer or any device has a virus and gets rid of the problem.
- Type “MSConfig” into the search tab
- Open the configuration panel
- Go to “boots”
- Choose the safe boot option
- Go to storage and delete all temporary files
- Then run the scan for a virus from whatever program you use
- If it does detect something, you can use the same program to remove that virus by choosing the cleanup option
Conclusion
Computers can run old, attain damage, or falter which can cause all these problems. Dealing with rattling fans sometimes prohibits you to try any of the fixes above because one is simply not able to make any part function. Even if it can be fixed, it is always a good idea to take the computer to a technician who can expertly resolve all errors without causing damage to any other functionalities.
FAQs
- How much is the price to get my computer fans fixed by a technician?
USD 45 to even USD 200.
