Noisy Lap Top Cooling Fans

A grinding noise generally indicates the fan blades are hitting the front grill of the fan or the outer housing (possibly due the the fan shifting in its mount or the grill being deformed into the fan blades).

Have a close look at the fan and see if it is being mechanically impeded first before attempting to lubricate.

I had a noise in my Acer also and opened up the cover over that area and found the metal heat exchanger plugged with lint, which probably contributed to overheating and warping of the plastic fan shroud. After cleaning out the heat exchanger ducts the fan noise is now random, sometimes can tap in that area and it goes away, sometimes no noise.

If by lube you meant use of something dry like finely ground Teflon, first use the other methods mentioned. If you determine lube is the answer instead replace the fan.

I wouldn't use fine ground anything in a computer. If you want to lube bushings there is a sticker on the top of the fan. Cut a hole in the center of it where the fan is mounted to the shaft and put a drop of oil there and it will run down and lube the bushings. I would only use a drop or two though.

Steve

Hi Glenn,

As the other post suggests, the noise is not likely from something that can benefit from lubrication, but more likely from the blades hitting something.

Although not on my laptop, there are two cooling fans on the motherboard of my 'home' computer, and they are always getting gummed up with schmutz (that's a highly technical term for the stuff floating in the air that loves to gather on fan blades). For one of those aforementioned cooling fans, there is only a TINY gap between the blades, and the aluminum fins below, so even a little buildup will make it start to 'sing' ... I ignore it for as long as possible, but sooner or later the mild 'singing' becomes something more like 'grinding'. I remove the assembly, wash (literally with soap and water, taking GREAT CARE not to get into the motor hub) the parts. The schmutz seems to be almost 'greasy' so soap and water, Q-tips, and maybe a little scraping here and there seem to do the trick.

I have had occasion for a motor or bearing to give up, but in that case, the assembly was pretty much shot, and best just to replace the fan.

Of course, working on a tower case makes life easy ... I personally would never try to 'fix' my laptop except for the genuinely user-serviceable-parts.

Good luck, and kind regards ...

Don't try to lube a fan. Mechanically try to remove any external debris to permit free motion of the blades. If this does not help, then replace the fan. Adding any kind of wet lubricant will just get sprayed lubricant around and now provide more sites for dust to accumulate. If the fan bearing is wearing out and your lucky enough to actually get the lubricant into the bearing, then that oil will permit debris to work into the bearing faster. Exactly the opposite result desired.

Nice approach that solves all of my apprehensions. Particularly waiting for the carrier to disperse. One GA from me.

That's what I do to all my computer fans when they start whining.

Hello Glenn Summers,

As others have said, it is almost certainly the fan blades rather than the bearing failing. I would not try to lub' it at all but as post 2 says it could be fluff 'backing up' and pushing on the fan and or its surround, distorting it.

ANY lube is likely to damage the electronics so do not lub' at all. As far as I know the fans have a phosphor-bronze bearing with no 'liquid' type of lub'.

If you can't solve the problem fit a new fan. They are not very costly and just looking at whatever may be wrong could lead to an answer!

Good luck and keep in touch. bb

Thanks to all who offered experiences and suggestions. I took into account introduction of a lubricant being harmful and was one reason I asked the question. I, however was not familiar with the "Schmutz Factor".

Cleaned the blades with alcohol, confirmed that there was no contact being made with the blades then bought a new fan. You guy's were correct, only $35.00 was cheap.

After opening up this lap top and replacing these fans, I had to use more alcohol on myself!! If I'm ever asked, I'll tell you, "Do Not Try This At Home".

Appears that my bearings had a lot of play in them, when I compared old to the new fans before the install.

Thanks for the help.. Glenn

Thanks for the recap