A clicking or rattling noise coming from a computer fan can be concerning. It often indicates an issue with the fan itself or a buildup of dust and debris. According to Reddit and Steam Community posts, some common causes of a clicking computer fan noise include:
Fan blade obstructions – Built up dust, cables, or other debris hitting the fan blades can cause a clicking or grinding sound as the blades spin (source).
Fan motor failure – Worn out bearings or motor issues in the fan assembly itself can produce noise as the fan struggles to spin (source).
Imbalanced fan blades – If fan blades become bent or imbalanced, they can vibrate against the fan housing creating noise.
Loose fan mount – If the fan is not securely mounted, such as with loose screws, it can vibrate and rattle while spinning.
Understanding the root cause will make it easier to troubleshoot and resolve the clicking fan noise.
Check Fan for Obstructions
The first step in troubleshooting a clicking or rattling fan noise is to open up the computer case and visually inspect the fan for any obstructions. Look to see if any cables or other components have come loose and are contacting the fan blades. Even small obstructions like a cable or zip tie can cause the fan blades to click against it as they spin. Use a flashlight to visually inspect all sides and angles of the fan housing and blades.
Be very careful not to touch or bump the fan when inspecting it, as spinning fan blades can cause injury. Also take proper electrostatic discharge precautions by grounding yourself before working inside the open computer case. If you spot an obvious obstruction that can safely be removed, do so gently.
According to Dell technical support, inspecting for physical obstructions is one of the first steps in diagnosing a fan noise issue:
“Fans or air vents that are obstructed” (https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000179087/how-to-troubleshoot-fan-issues)
Clean Out Dust Buildup
Over time, dust can accumulate inside your computer, especially around the fans and vents. This dust buildup can restrict airflow and cause various problems like overheating and noise. One effective way to clean dust is to use compressed air. Compressed air cans are designed to safely blow out dust and debris from electronics.
When using compressed air, hold the can upright and aim it at the fan vents and other openings on your computer case. Slowly spray compressed air into these areas while moving the can slightly back and forth. The compressed air will dislodge built up dust and blow it out. Be sure not to tilt or shake the can, as this can cause liquid to spray out.
Be very gentle when blowing dust out and do not force it. If you encounter dust that is stuck and not easily dislodging, do not keep spraying it in an attempt to blast it loose. This can potentially drive the dust further inside your computer or damage delicate components. If there is stuck dust that compressed air cannot remove, consider opening up the computer case and using a small vacuum hose or brush to gently dislodge and clean it.
Regularly using compressed air is an easy and effective way to maintain your computer fans and keep dust from building up. Just remember to always hold the can upright, spray intermittently, and be gentle when blowing out dust. Following these tips will help keep your computer’s airflow unobstructed and prevent overheating, noise, and other dust-related problems. (Source)
Check Fan Mounting
One common cause of a clicking or rattling noise from a computer fan is if the fan has become loose or unsecured in its mounting. Over time, the screws securing the fan can work themselves loose from vibrations or movement.
To check for this, open up the computer case and visually inspect where the fan is mounted. Try wiggling the fan gently to see if there is any play or looseness. Also check that all screws are still tight and securely holding the fan in place.
If there is any looseness detected, tighten the fan mounting screws gradually and evenly until the fan is securely fastened. Do not over-tighten the screws. Plastic fan mounts can crack under too much pressure. The goal is to remove any play while still allowing the fan to spin freely.
Proper mounting will remove clicks and rattles associated with a loose fan. Just be sure not to over-tighten, as too much pressure on the fan bearings can also lead to premature failure and noise.
Replace Fan if Necessary
If cleaning the fan, updating drivers, and adjusting settings does not resolve the clicking noise, the fan may need to be replaced. Replacing a fan can be straightforward with the right guide for your specific computer model.
First, identify the make and model of your fan so you can purchase the right replacement. Then find a repair guide that provides steps specific to your computer – some good sources are iFixit and the manufacturer’s manual. Be sure to follow all safety precautions when working inside a computer.
The general process will involve unplugging the computer, removing the side panel, disconnecting the fan wires, unscrewing the old fan, installing the new fan with screws, reconnecting the wires, and replacing the side panel. Apply new thermal paste if replacing the CPU fan. Be gentle when handling wires and connectors.
After replacing the fan, boot up the computer and enter BIOS to check that the fan is detected. Monitor temperatures and listen for noise. If the clicking persists, there may be an underlying issue, like a problem with the motherboard.
Overall, replacing a clicking or faulty fan is usually an easy fix. Just take your time, follow a repair guide, use care when handling components, and ensure the new fan works properly.
Update Device Drivers
Outdated device drivers can sometimes cause computer fans to run loudly or make clicking noises, especially graphics drivers. Graphics cards produce a lot of heat that needs to be cooled by fans. If the graphics card drivers are outdated, they may not properly manage the graphics card’s temperature, causing fans to work overtime.
Check for available driver updates, especially for key components like the CPU, GPU, chipset, and storage drivers. Graphics card makers like NVIDIA and AMD regularly put out new drivers that improve performance, compatibility, and heat management. Installing the latest drivers can help optimize the graphics card’s thermal profile and reduce unnecessary fan noise.
On Windows 10 and 11, you can check for driver updates using Device Manager or Windows Update. Refer to your hardware manufacturer’s website to find the latest drivers as well. After updating drivers, restart your PC and check if the fan noise has improved.
Sources:
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/lanio2/tip_if_your_fans_are_running_very_loud_update/
[2] https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-update-fan-noise/b909e2b2-fd11-49cc-bc9e-f91fd6324d7c
Manage Component Heat
Excessive heat from components like the CPU and GPU can put extra strain on the fans as they work harder to cool the system. Overheating components may cause the fans to produce loud or abnormal clicking noises as a cry for help.
Make sure there is proper airflow around your computer. Do not block vents and fans. Allow adequate space for air circulation. Also, open up the case and use compressed air to blow out any dust buildup on components like the CPU heat sink or GPU fins. Dust impedes cooling. Keeping components free of debris allows fans to run smoothly.
You may need to reapply thermal paste between the CPU and heat sink if temps are too high. Thermal paste helps facilitate heat transfer. Optionally, consider upgrading to a better CPU cooler or more case fans to improve airflow and cooling.
Tools like HWMonitor and GPU-Z can monitor component temperatures to identify any overheating issues.
Adjust Fan Settings
One way to address a clicking or noisy fan is to adjust the fan speed curve in your computer’s BIOS settings or using a software fan control utility. The fan speed curve determines how fast the fans spin at different temperatures. Creating a more aggressive curve that ramps up fan speeds faster can help reduce noise.
To adjust your fan curve, enter your computer’s BIOS settings on startup by pressing a key like F2 or Delete during boot. Then find the fan control options, which may be under a menu like “Hardware Monitor” or “Smart Fan Control.” Increase the fan speeds for each temperature threshold to create a more aggressive curve (for example, make the fans hit 100% speed at 60C instead of 80C). This makes the fans spin faster to stay ahead of heat buildup.
Alternatively, use a software utility like SpeedFan to create custom fan curves. SpeedFan allows you to manually configure the speed percentage for each temperature, for finer control over your fan speeds. Ramping up the fans proactively can generate enough airflow to prevent components from overheating and remove the need for loud last-second spin ups.
Just be careful not to set the fan speeds too high as that may reduce fan lifespan. Monitor your temperatures and adjust the curve as needed to find the right balance between noise and cooling.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several potential solutions for fixing a clicking or rattling noise from your computer’s fans. The first steps should be visually inspecting the fans for obstructions like wires or dust buildup, and gently cleaning out any debris with compressed air. If the noise persists, check that the fans are securely mounted and replace any fans that are worn out or damaged. Updating your device drivers, managing component heat with proper airflow, and adjusting your computer’s fan settings can also help minimize abnormal fan noises.
When troubleshooting fan noises, remember to always be gentle and avoid forcing anything – computer fans are delicate and can easily break if handled roughly. If you’ve tried the common fixes and the noise continues, further technical support from the device manufacturer or a repair shop may be needed. Our guide provides a helpful reference point to start resolving any clicking or rattling fan issues.
Sources:
[1] https://www.quora.com/What-if-my-PC-has-clicking-sounds-like-a-fan-hitting-something-Is-it-bad
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/b9b9bc/is_it_normal_for_case_fans_to_make_this_clicking/
Additional Resources
For more in-depth troubleshooting guides on fixing noisy computer fans, check out these resources:
- Silent Running: How to Fix a Noisy Computer Fan – PCMag’s comprehensive guide for diagnosing and fixing various fan noises.
- How to Control Your PC’s Fans for Better Performance – Step-by-step instructions from How-To Geek on managing fan settings for optimal cooling and noise reduction.
- Computer Fans and Cooling Forum – Tom’s Hardware community forum for asking questions and getting troubleshooting help from fellow PC builders.
- Noctua Fan Specifications – Reference guides for Noctua fan models, specifications, dimensions, and operating parameters.
Be sure to search community forums and ask around if you need help diagnosing a specific fan noise or issue. Fellow PC builders are often happy to provide troubleshooting tips and advice.