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Computer fan clicking
The Black Hunter
The key is a minimum of compromise, and a simple,unimpeachable reason to existRegistered User regular
The key is a minimum of compromise, and a simple,unimpeachable reason to existRegistered User regular
click-click-click-click
Sometimes more of a buzz
Even so, it is horrible and I want it to stop.
I cleaned out the dust as best I can, but how do I clean a computer fan and rebalance it?
Sometimes more of a buzz
Even so, it is horrible and I want it to stop.
I cleaned out the dust as best I can, but how do I clean a computer fan and rebalance it?
The Black Hunter on
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Posts
With case fans you'll want to use short bursts of compressed air with the can held upright and make sure all case fans are secure in their housings. If the clicking persists might be time to spend $20-$30 (depending on how many and the quality) and just get some new case fans.
If it is the CPU heat-sink-fan, you can also used compressed air to ensure there isn't dust obstructing its normal operation, but if the fan is properly secured to the CPU fan housing and devoid of dust and random shit you either have to get a new hsf, or if the computer is still under warranty, send it in and have the manufacturer take care of it.
If it is the power supply fan, you can either return it to the manufacturer for repair if its under warranty or still within its RMA period. Or buy a new one and toss it in yourself.
If it is an old comp, no longer under warranty and you feel comfortable enough, you get can hsf combos pretty cheap online for some decent gear and then install it yourself. If you are not comfortable, and don't know anyone you trust to do it for you, I suppose you could take it to a PC repair shop and have them perform the work. I don't like to suggest this route as my personal experiences and those from friends and associates of mine have been negative in regards to service and pricing, but this is just my experience and you might have a grand old time with this route.
Two more things, turning the comp off, unplugging it, after using compressed air, you can lightly tap on the center of the fan mechanism. You might knock the fan back into place if it is off kilter. Though, with time and more usage, it's pretty likely whatever fan is doing this will jostle loose again due to vibrations. As well, if this is a custom rig with custom HSF and you or someone that built it for you has tinkered with the RPMs of the cpu fan, you might check into the manufacture recommend speed setting for the type of use this rig gets, and then go into bios and either speed it up or slow it down, based on what they recommend. If you are not familiar with this or worried about changing a setting you shouldn't, I'd let someone who knows what they are doing perform this for you.
As for re-balancing the fan, I have no solid experience with this, and, for the most part, just replace parts that are acting up.
No easy way about this huh.
Also my case has a clear side so I can tell there are no wires :P
First google result on 'fan bearing' has some decent info if you care.
http://www.dansdata.com/fanmaint.htm
Aside from dremeling off a big hunk of my PSU's case so my DVD drive could extend INTO the PSU and actually fit in the computer, I removed the fan from mine because where it was sitting it was expelling air directly into a case wall (also I wanted to use it elsewhere). It had a totally standard snap-off power connector. All the screws involved were Philips head. If it's a bad fan that's making the noise, it's terribly easy to take it out.
Just, you know, MAKE SURE IT'S UNPLUGGED BEFORE YOU TRY ANYTHING LIKE THAT IF INDEED YOU WOULD DO SO.
Related - I saw a similar issue last week. when I opened the PSU open to check the fan, I noticed that a few of the capacitors were swollen and one was leaking. Probably due to overheating because of the fan not working correctly. If you see anything similar forget the fan and replace the whole thing. I got one off newegg for $45 with shipping.