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How to Silence a Noisy Laptop Fan: 5 Things You Can Do
A loud laptop fan can be incredibly annoying and might signal underlying issues with your device. Whether it’s clogged with dust, overburdened by background processes, or struggling due to aging components, you can reduce the fan noise on your laptop with these handy tips.
Kill Unnecessary Background Processes
When your CPU or GPU is under load, the fans in your laptop will spin up to cool the components and prevent thermal throttling or potential damage. This is completely normal during demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, so there’s no need to worry in those cases.
However, unnecessary background processes can add extra load to your laptop, causing the fans to work harder than needed. To address this, you can start by identifying and closing any processes you don’t require.
If you have a Windows laptop, you can close unnecessary background processes using Task Manager, where you can control any apps that might be hogging up too many resources. You can do the same on a MacBook by using the Activity Monitor. Linux users can also use several tricks to kill rogue processes.
Use Software to Adjust the Fan Curve
If your laptop fan is still loud, you can manually adjust its speed using a third-party app, but you should know it comes with disadvantages. Since reducing your fan curve affects laptop cooling, you may face CPU or GPU thermal throttling. Your device deliberately slows itself down to protect against overheating, protecting your hardware from damage.
I only recommend using software to adjust your laptop fan curve if you don't use your laptop for activities that require heavy processing, like video editing, rendering, and so on. If your laptop is mainly used for lightweight activities like checking emails and document editing, adjusting your laptop fan curve to reduce the laptop fan noise is a suitable option.
There are plenty of fan-control apps available for Windows laptops, but compatibility can vary significantly between manufacturers since some laptops have fans that can’t be adjusted manually. Some devices, particularly gaming laptops, also let you control the fan curve directly from the BIOS, so it’s worth checking there before turning to third-party apps.
If you’re using a MacBook, you can adjust the fan curve with Macs Fan Control, Meanwhile for Linux laptops, you can manage fan speeds using the fancontrol utility.
Clean the Laptop Fans
If your laptop fans are constantly running loud, it means your laptop is also constantly running hot. Dust and hair buildup are unavoidable and only reduce airflow, forcing your laptop fans to run more frequently. Reduced airflow means poor heat dissipation, so you'll need to physically clean the laptop to improve airflow, which, in turn, improves heat dissipation.
If your laptop is still under warranty, opening it may void your warranty (including after-market extended warranties like AppleCare). Furthermore, you could damage components if you don't know what you're doing. So take care or consult a friend with a little more experience.
To clean your laptop fans, you'll need a can of compressed air, a brush, a screwdriver, and patience to open your laptop. While the chances of damage are slim, you should also wear an anti-static wristband to prevent any electrostatic discharge from damaging any components.
After opening your laptop, clean the fans, especially if they’re clogged with dust. Use short bursts of compressed air to blow away the dust, and gently brush the fan blades to remove any remaining debris. While you’re at it, take the opportunity to clean the vents and heat sink. If you encounter stubborn residue that won’t come off, a small amount of isopropyl alcohol can help. Just ensure the area is completely dry before reconnecting your laptop to power.
Replace the Laptop Fan
If your laptop fans suddenly sound different and make a loud rattling or buzzing noise, you have a problem. The first step is to clean the fan and remove any debris blocking it. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the laptop fan.
The issue is likely an issue with the bearings in the fan. Resolving this is almost always a case of replacing the fan. While jammed bearings can be fixed, it's likely to take longer than buying and installing a replacement fan.
Switching the fan with a new one isn't difficult, but it isn't a task for anyone unfamiliar with laptop repair. While the underlying principle remains the same across all laptops, different models from different manufacturers have different procedures.
Finding replacement fans for specific laptop models can be challenging, too, and in rare cases, your only option might be to take it to a first-party service center.
Reapply Thermal Paste
Thermal paste is a special compound applied between the CPU or GPU and the heat sink. It fills in tiny gaps, ensuring better contact and helping transfer heat away from the processor more efficiently.
If you have a heavily used older laptop, the thermal paste might have dried out, making it less effective at transferring heat. While replacing the thermal paste can help, I’d only recommend doing it yourself if you’re confident working with the insides of a laptop and have done something similar before. Otherwise, taking it to a repair shop and letting the experts handle it is a good idea.
However, once the new thermal paste is applied, you should notice better heat management on your laptop, which will lead to quieter laptop fans.
Get an Expert to Check Your Laptop
If the steps above didn’t work, or you're uncomfortable opening your laptop, it’s best to take it to a service center. For MacBooks, you can book an appointment at a Genius Bar, while for Windows or Linux laptops, you'll need to reach out to your manufacturer, as repair policies vary by brand.
Before committing to a repair, I recommend getting a quote first. You might find a better price at a trusted third-party repair shop, though results can vary, especially if you have a MacBook since replacement parts are extremely hard to find.