It’s been a tough couple of weeks for PC gaming. We’ve seen a number of games that have been delayed or pushed back due to a lack of performance from AMD and Nvidia hardware, and one of those is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
The GPU needs to be spinning for the graphics card to be useful. Without the fan working, the GPU can’t cool itself, which can lead to overheating. On top of that, the fan will be running constantly, potentially wasting electricity. But, if the fan is not spinning, what can be done to fix this?
If you’re a gamer, you’re probably familiar with the issue of GPU fans not spinning. It’s a common problem that many gamers have experienced over the past few years. Most of the time, it’s an easy fix that involves a simple motherboard BIOS setting. Other times, it’s a more complicated issue that requires a deeper understanding of how your system uses your video card. In either case, you should take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the problem, as well as how to fix it.. Read more about msi afterburner and let us know what you think.
“What could be more agonizing for a gamer than this? “There’s a dead GPU!”
When GPU fans stop spinning, it’s a major issue, particularly if they’ve been inactive for a long time. Surprisingly, several customers have complained that their freshly purchased beast systems have broken down to the point of being useless. It’s obvious when the GPU fans don’t turn on, resulting in a hot environment that may reduce the component’s lifetime.
Some of the tales also provide a non-biased perspective on the issue. While gaming, you may experience stuttering and freezing. It typically begins when your system stops handling games as well as it once did, suggesting a serious underlying issue.
Who’s here, then? I’m going to be your rescuer. This article will go through all of the underlying reasons of inactive fans. Fortunately, there are a few methods you can use to remove all of the underlying causes and give your fans a new lease on life. It is required that you keep certain things in mind before following the guide: GPU Temperatures and statistics performance data.
Idle State No. 1
Modern GPUs are notorious for staying still until they reach a specific temperature. The condition of the GPU while the fans aren’t working is referred to as “Idle state.” Before you start bouncing off the walls, keep in mind that this is a built-in function to which you have no control. The purpose of adding such a function is to increase the lifespan of the fans—because their spinning power has a limit—and to encourage improved performance.
It’s also hoped that the noise and electrical levels would be reduced. High voltages result in a greater heat generation rate, according to science. The idle state was designed to help the GPU endure and last longer.
So, what are your options?
Running stress benchmarks or GPU-intensive apps should be your first focus (Games). This will keep your GPU use at an abnormally high level, resulting in excessive temperatures. The fans should start spinning as soon as the GPU reaches the manufacturer’s temperature threshold. If they don’t, there’s a serious issue that has to be addressed.
You may use the MSI burner to keep track of the temperatures and voltage levels.
2. Rebooting your computer
It’s one of the most straightforward methods available, and it’s widely acknowledged and accepted. Restart your computer!
What are the benefits of restarting your computer?
Allow me to explain it to you in layman’s words. The PSU connects all of your components, and the PSU is occasionally cross-chained with a stabilizer. A little change in voltage levels may have a significant impact on the PSU. To preserve its own life, the PSU ceases to provide the necessary Watts to the components. Misaligned voltages and power issues may be corrected with a new start.
When things return to normal, it’s possible that GPU fans will start functioning again. If that’s not the case, keep reading the instructions, lad. Before you come to a stop, you must attempt all of the potential answers.
3. Cable management and power connectors
1. Faulty Interconnections
The cable mishandling should be your second most priority. The majority of the time, the cables leading back to the components are either defective or loose, according to the data. Remove all required cables and reconnect them, particularly the 8-pin or 6-pin connection that runs through the power supply and connects to the GPU. It’s possible that the graphics card’s power connections aren’t supplying enough power. Make sure you hear a “tick” sound, which means the wire is correctly pushed within.
2. Improving the power supply
This is the genuine thing. If necessary, you should also troubleshoot your power supply. If you’ve installed a lower-rated power supply, the suggestion is worth noting. When you purchase a GPU, it comes with a user manual that goes over every detail. Typically, the necessary Watts to power on your graphics card may be found. If you’ve stuffed your system with superfluous components, which has resulted in a lower overall rating, you’re probably running out on supplies.
What are your options?
There are two options for getting there from here.
- Replace the power supply unit.
- PSU should be unburdened.
The first option guarantees that you have the bare minimum to support all of your system’s components. Simply purchase a new power supply or borrow one for a short period to guarantee complete troubleshooting. If the fans begin to spin as a result of the higher rating, it merely indicates that your previous power supply was limiting vital supplies.
The second option is the most straightforward. To guarantee that the PSU is solely connected to the GPU and CPU, you must unplug any non-essential accessories. If the fans start working by chance, you’ll know what to do. Remove any needless burdens! Alternatively, acquire a new power supply.
3. Insertion of the GPU
One of the most frequent errors made by PC builders is forgetting to follow the correct processes. There is a specific method for ensuring that the GPU is correctly seated on the motherboard. All you have to do now is recognize all of the motherboard’s clicks. You’re good to go if you can recognize all of the required noises that indicate a GPU is properly plugged in.
4. Cleaning and dusting
I’m fully aware that most individuals, including myself, don’t bother to dust off the case. Congestion and temperature issues occur as a result of this. When there is unneeded dirt and dust particles on the fan blades, it becomes a tremendous pain. This disables the GPU and prevents it from spinning.
Large dust particles are not a problem since the fan blades are built to resist them. They help to control the environment from time to time, but they may also collect particles that are difficult to dust off.
To resolve this dreadful problem, open the case, use a pressurized air canister, and whoosh out all of the dust. In your chamber, you will be subjected to a mini-tornado. Defend yourselves! To reduce the amount of dust on the GPU, remove it and keep showering it with compressed air for a minute or two until all the trapped particles are gone.
Why don’t you go one step farther and fix the problem once and for all?
Take down the fans! Yes, you must remove all of the GPU’s integrated fans and clean them using clean water. When you’ve finished washing out all of the dust, use a hair dryer to dry the fans before plugging them back in. This should take care of the issue.
If that’s not the case, keep reading!
5. It’s time to lubricate!
Heads are screwed! They may be the source of the issue. It’s well known that they’re made up of metallic particles that are prone to rusting. If this is the case, oiling schedules are required. Finding some sewing machine oil is the easiest approach to get started.
The oil will relieve the tightness that has formed between the fans inadvertently. First and foremost, the GPU must be removed. You don’t need to grease the motherboard since doing so may create a short circuit, and you’re not in a position to lose any more data.
Simply place the oil droplets on the screw heads after the GPU has been removed. The screws will eventually transfer all of the absorbed oil to the bottom end, which will reduce the constriction.
Hopefully, this will refocus the supporters’ attention. Unfortunately, if they still don’t spin, you’ll have to try a few more things.
Update your drivers.
Aside from hardware problems, it’s possible that the problem is caused by software. When you have obsolete software, it almost always leads to hardware failure. You may fix the problem by upgrading or reinstalling all of the GPU drivers.
Download and install the latest AMD or Nvidia drivers from the AMD or Nvidia driver shop. After you’ve completed the installation, it’s time to check out AMD and Nvidia’s proprietary applications, GeForce Experience and Radeon Software.
The purpose of tinkering with the default settings is to restore normalized fan curve settings. Celebrate if you are able to effectively run the fans by adjusting. Otherwise, you’ll have to go a great distance.
7. Replace any fans that aren’t working properly.
It’s a hardware failure if none of the aforementioned solutions work. When you have older cards operating for a long time, this occurs. The lifetime of these fans is limited. After then, there’s a good possibility they won’t function correctly.
What can you do to address the issue of malfunctioning fans?
Typically, third-party software, such as MSI Afterburner, will be needed to be installed on your computer. This software is aimed at overclockers, but it can also be used to monitor temperature curves and fan speed. You’ll need to create an aggressive curve that forces the fans to turn off at a lower temperature. If it still doesn’t work, you’ll need to have those dead fans replaced.
Those fans are usually available for about $50. Because of their reliability and longevity, you must stay with Corsair or Cooler Master fans.
Integrated graphics card is used.
This is one of those procedures that requires arduous work and a basic knowledge of motherboards. So, here’s a word of caution: do not tamper with the motherboard or plugs unless you know how to work around them.
For the time being, this is one of the final workarounds for the fans to be fixed. Let’s keep our fingers crossed! To begin, you must disconnect the GPU and remove it from its packaging. Why? You’ll be putting the PCIe slots and the motherboard itself to the test. Even if your GPU is correctly seated in the slot, there is a small possibility that it is not properly linked to the motherboard.
The integrated graphics card in an Intel CPU can manage the PC. The next step is to activate the IGFX mode, which will reboot the computer using BIOS settings. That is all there is to it. You can’t get any farther than BIOS, and that’s all. You must use the BIOS to troubleshoot the motherboard.
If your computer boots up without a hitch, the issue is most likely with the GPU rather than the motherboard. So there you have it. The bottom line is that if you can’t tolerate high heat, you should replace or update your GPU.
Is it time to invest in a new graphics card?
We postmortem the GPU using the methods outlined above. Even so, if the fans aren’t working, you’re in desperate need of an update. As a side note, switching to a high-end graphics card with a long fan life rating is always a good idea. The pricing is the first thing that comes to mind when discussing the newest GPUs. You don’t need to be concerned about it. You can get your hands on hundreds of top-tier GPUs for a low price. Best of luck! Hopefully, you found this tutorial useful.
Most Commonly Asked Questions
Is there a link between overclocking and fan longevity?
Not in any specific way. Overclocking, on the other hand, only impacts the GPU’s temps to a certain extent. You don’t have to blame your card for the idle fans if it’s overclocked.
What are the costs of acquiring new fans?
If you want top-tier fans, expect to pay between $70 and $90 for them. Otherwise, you may always support the usual suspects.
What should you do if none of the steps are successful?
It’s time to replace the old card, which will eventually die due to excessive temperatures after a few months.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What causes GPU fans to not spin?
There are a few reasons why this could happen. One of the most common is that your GPU may be overheating and shutting down to prevent damage. Another reason might be that your graphics card does not have enough power to spin its fans.
How do I fix my GPU fan not spinning?
If your GPU fan is not spinning, you may need to replace the thermal paste on the GPU.
How do I force my GPU fan to spin?
The fan on your GPU is controlled by the motherboard. You cant force it to spin, but you can make sure that its not too loud.
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