The GPU fans will start running faster when you’re performing intensive tasks on your computer such as playing video games making video edits or even software development. This helps chill your system by increasing the overall dissipation of heat. However, there are times when the fan’s speed isn’t enough to keep your system cool because the computer’s hardware or software cannot keep up with the speed at which the system is becoming. Furthermore, the GPU fans aren’t usually turned off until they are activated when the card has reached the temperature of a certain point as well as in a state of high stress.
Furthermore, if you’ve been using the same graphics card over many years it is possible that your GPU fans could no longer spin as fast or at a lower speed as they did previously as you’ve witnessed. Furthermore, the GPU might overheat as result, which can harm your system or make it unstable. You can attempt several different options to resolve the problem. If you’re looking for the reason what the reason do your GPU fan spinning but not it could be necessary to clean your fans or replace them completely if this doesn’t work. However, there are many options to explore and for that, you need to go through this article to the conclusion.
Why Are My GPU Fans Not Spinning?
As with all issues, there may be many reasons for a particular issue. If you experience an unusual GPU fan speed, then you may have this problem for several different reasons. Let’s take review some of the most frequent cases.
Problem with fan speed Speeds of fans that are low typically isn’t a problem and are rather a deliberate decision from the maker. The first step is to analyze the issue by examining the GPU fan’s speed capability. If the speeds rated by the GPU are satisfactory, then you can proceed to the next step.
dusty GPU The majority time dust gets deposited upon the GPU fans or the bearings of the fans which results in them sticking against the motors. Bearings are experiencing a lot of resistance to performing their tasks or even stopping occasionally. In essence, dust might be the reason why the fans aren’t turning.
Improper management of cables The best way to improve the performance of your network is if you have poor cable management. Unstable cabling can cause signal interference that causes the system to run at a slow speed. In addition, your GPU could overheat due to the issue of improper airflow.
Insufficient connectivity A different reason for preventing that GPU fans from spinning properly may be a problem with connectivity. For instance, a GPU must be connected using eight-pin connections. If it’s connected via an 8-pin connector, it could be the cause of inadequate fan speeds.
Some drivers or software-related problems The issue may arise when glitches or bugs may be present on the system or driver that could cause the GPU fans to not rotate properly. So, we should be aware of this software-related issue which could be the reason for our issue.
How to Fix GPU Fan not Spinning? Possible Solutions!
If you notice that your GPU fans don’t spin, this could indicate that something is wrong. We’ve looked at a variety of possible causes that might be causing the fans of your graphics card to not spin properly. It’s now time to consider all the possibilities to resolve the issue quickly. Let’s explore!
1. Restart the computer
The most effective solution is usually the easiest. Restarting your system is the primary option recommended by IT experts from all over the world to fix the GPU fan that seems to be in trouble. As I stated in the previous article that the reason that GPU fans aren’t spinning is caused by a glitch or driver-related issues within the operating system. Rebooting your computer is a fantastic option to clear the system and make adjustments to allow for proper GPU system operation. It is a must to try this and if the problem isn’t fixed, you may move to the next fix.
2. Check for Interferences or Blockages
If the fan isn’t spinning because they’re being blocked, or altered by something like wire or a different component this must be among the first things to look for. While not paying attention to the GPU fans while the computer is running the computer, it’s often not evident that something is holding them in the right position. Something may be blocking them when you observe that the fans are twitching, but not moving. It is likely a wire but it could be something else like the tubes in liquid coolers or the screw that was encased within the GPU’s cooler. Make sure this is at the top of your list of fixes.
Be sure to turn off the power on your computer before attempting to get rid of the blockage. It is possible to use your GPU and other components using this method. If the issue persists you can try spinning the fans of the graphics card to check whether you’ve achieved your goal. The hands of your hands, a tool, or even a bottle of pressurized air could be utilized for this. To ensure the safety of your hands as well as your tools and the GPU fans, it’s important at this task as safely as you can even when your computer is turned off. They’re not blocked when they move freely and without making any weird sounds.
3. Look at Computer Power Connectors
Graphics processing devices that are powerful need to have sufficient input power to function. Sometimes the power connector can be a 6-pin or an 8-pin connection based on the type of connector used to connect the GPU to the power supply unit. is disconnected. Also, the pins aren’t fully integrated into the card in case you have recently installed a brand new GPU but noticed that the fan wasn’t spinning. Make sure you can verify that your GPU is properly installed in the PCI-E slot of the motherboard. Also, determine if your power supply can provide sufficient power to run the GPU.
The PSU might not be strong enough to support the weight of heavy-duty peripherals. The PC can stop working without warning in the situation. To help you There are thousands of PC builders with no experience who purchase top-of-the-line GPUs without checking the power requirements. If the GPU is not being powered by your power supply unit then you’ll need to purchase an upgraded model and at that point, the GPU fan should be able to resume operation. In short, you must check all that is needed for the GPU to ensure that it has enough power.
4. Double-check the PCIe slot
The issue could be caused by the motherboard’s issue, most notably an incompatible PCI-E slot. The PCI-E slot utilized in this case or the motherboard, in general, could be the cause of the problem. If the issue persists then attempt moving your GPU onto a separate PCIe slot to confirm this. If it doesn’t work, even after following the steps above, your motherboard might be at fault. If this is the case, it’s an appropriate time to replace one, or, if it is new, you can take it back to the manufacturer and request a replacement. It shouldn’t be a major issue as the majority of the current motherboards have simple warranties.
5. Clean any dust and debris off the air conditioner.
The accumulation of dust and debris on the blades of the fan is the leading reason for GPU problems with the fan. It’s not that difficult to block motion or render the fan blades inactive due to the low torque of GPU fans. If your PC hasn’t been utilized or cleaned for an extended period, there is a greater chance that you’ll encounter this problem. We have indeed cleaned the dust and any other particles in case this is the reason. All you require is to possess a canister filled with compressed air to blow away dust. Let’s take a look at all the steps required to remove dust!
Open your PC, locate the GPU and blow out any dust that remains on the fan’s blades and the surrounding area. You can also remove the GPU’s fan from its housing and utilize compressed air to efficiently remove any dust that has accumulated on the fan’s blades from each side. If you choose to remove the GPU’s fans and use it as an opportunity to clean the surface of the card and also the heatsink in case the GPU includes one.
Note Pay care not to get too close to circuits and components when spraying.
6. Just apply a few drops of the oil that lubricates.
If your old graphics card has stopped spinning it is possible to extend its life by re-lubricating the bearings of the fan. If you’ve not done it previously, you’ll need to remove the graphic card and PC, and also the fan(s) take off the sticker on the back of the card, and then add some drops of 3-in-1 home oil (a light machine oil should suffice, but WD-40 isn’t suggested).
If the oil starts to restart your fans, then that’s fantastic. If it doesn’t happen, your graphics card is likely to cease functioning.
7. Replace the fan
Fan motors do wear out in particular older models which have been in use for many thousands of hours. On the other hand, more recent GPUs are still vulnerable to the rare failure of the fan that is caused by an unplanned manufacturing defect. To determine if this is the case for you, try Microsoft’s MSI Afterburner, which is an Overclocking and GPU monitoring tool that allows the software to run the fan at maximum speed, and check its performance. It’s almost certain that the problem is an issue with the hardware when the fan doesn’t begin to run after you’ve tried all of the suggestions made earlier.
If you don’t have the skills how to remove a fan to fix it yourself, the only solution is to invest in the purchase of a new fan. It is a good thing that fans are among the cheapest PC components. But to ensure the reliability of products, we recommend choosing reputable brands like Cooler Master and Corsair. Indeed, broken fans don’t have to be the sole thing that can cause blades to stop spinning. If there’s a need for replacing the fan make it happen to ensure GPU’s overall health as well as performance.
Is It Harmful to My GPU if the Fans Are Not Spinning?
Have you noticed that the GPU’s fans aren’t spinning? What’s going on? Does it harm your GPU when the fans aren’t spinning? The answer is no. It’s not detrimental, but it’s not the best option. When the GPU’s fans aren’t turning it’s a sign that heat isn’t getting dissipated correctly. This could lead to your GPU overheating, which is not a good thing. In other words, if there’s a need for the fan’s spin, or the GPU is becoming hotter, but, the fans aren’t turning, it could be damaging to the GPU as well as other components.
What can you do to keep the GPU from becoming overheated? It’s best to start by following the various solutions to the problem that are mentioned in the previous paragraph. If none of these work then you should consider purchasing a third-party card fan. You can also try cooling it yourself by blowing it up or by using a different fan that is located close to the place within the case of your computer. Also, you can consider installing a new cooler for your graphics card. In any event, it’s an excellent idea to start getting your GPU fans moving to ensure that heat is properly eliminated.
Conclusion
There are a variety of reasons as to why there are a variety of reasons why your GPU fans aren’t turning. It could be that your GPU is overheating, and the fans and card are shutting down automatically to protect against the risk of damage. There is also the possibility that something is blocking the fan like dust dirt, dust, or other. In most cases, low fan speeds are not a problem and are more often a deliberate choice made by the manufacturer. Insufficient cooling could be due to poor design of the case or bad airflow in the case, or even non-functional GPU fans.
Although the fan may appear to be running at a very slow speed It’s most likely due to the cooling system for the fan operating unusually. If you’re having difficulty figuring out the reason for the reason behind why your GPU fans aren’t working, it’s the best idea to look into the causes mentioned above, or issues with the graphics card. They’ll help you identify the cause and ensure that your graphics card runs smoothly once more. Then, you can test a few solutions to resolve the problem at your home. If this doesn’t yield results, you should consult an expert
Related: How to Clean Cooler Master CPU Fan?
FAQs
Why are my GPU fans not spinning at all?
There could be several reasons why your GPU fans are not spinning, including a lack of power, a malfunctioning fan controller, or a software issue. It’s recommended to try the following steps:
- Check your power supply and make sure it’s functioning properly.
- Try restarting your computer and see if the issue persists.
- Try updating your GPU drivers and firmware.
- If the issue persists, it could be a hardware issue and you should consider getting your GPU serviced.
Why are my GPU fans spinning at low speeds?
The GPU fans may be spinning at low speeds due to several reasons, including:
- Poor thermal paste application leading to poor heat transfer from the GPU to the heatsink.
- Dust and debris buildup on the GPU heatsink, fans, and surrounding components.
- Overclocking leading to higher temperatures and causing the GPU to throttle its performance to prevent damage.
- A malfunctioning fan controller.
To resolve the issue, try cleaning the GPU, reapplying thermal paste, and resetting any overclocking settings. If the issue persists, consider getting your GPU serviced.
Why are my GPU fans spinning erratically?
If your GPU fans are spinning erratically, it could be due to a malfunctioning fan controller or a software issue. Try the following steps:
- Try restarting your computer and see if the issue persists.
- Try updating your GPU drivers and firmware.
- If the issue persists, it could be a hardware issue and you should consider getting your GPU serviced.
Why are my GPU fans suddenly not spinning when they were working before?
The sudden loss of fan function could be due to a variety of reasons, including:
- A power outage or surge.
- Overheating causing the GPU to shut down to prevent damage.
- A software issue or glitch.
- Try restarting your computer and checking for any software updates. If the issue persists, consider getting your GPU serviced.