You can’t beat a laptop computer when it comes to getting work done in the surroundings of your choice. But portability comes at a cost. Heat buildup is often a problem, thanks to the cramped space inside and the high-capacity batteries.
As soon as things get hot, you’ll find your laptop fan starts to struggle. But why is your laptop fan making a noise, and how can you make it quieter? Let’s find out.
What You Need to Know About Laptop Fan Noise
Wondering why your laptop fan is so loud?
Laptops, touchscreen hybrids, and other devices ship with fans for one reason: to dissipate heat by circulating air.
Most of the time when your fans fire up, it’s because they’re supposed to. But it can be distracting and, in some cases, surprisingly loud. Even an expensive machine like the latest MacBook Pro sounds like a drone taking off when under extreme load.
If the environment is hot, your laptop will need to work harder to dissipate heat, which means more fan noise. Similarly, if the vents are covered (usually when using a laptop on soft furnishings), the laptop will get hot.
Meanwhile, if you’re playing a 3D game, using webGL, or rendering video then you’ll also experience heat buildup.
If your fans sound normal but are still running constantly, the fan unit itself is unlikely to be the issue. If your laptop is regularly overheating, refer to our guide on how to fix an overheating laptop. First, here are seven ways to stop your laptop fan being so loud.
1. Kill Your Processes to Stop a Noisy Laptop Fan
Fans that suddenly spin into action without warning are responding to demands placed on the hardware, commonly the GPU. The best way to solve this is to eliminate the demand, by killing the process.
Mac users can isolate and kill unwanted processes using Activity Monitor, while Windows users can use Task Manager. Linux users can also use several tricks to kill rogue processes.
If heat is a problem, it might be wise to prevent too many processes starting when your computer boots. Windows 10 users can edit the startup folder while Mac users can head to System Preferences > Users > Startup and remove anything unnecessary.
Linux startup processes can also be tweaked for a quieter laptop fan.
2. Using a Mac? Reset SMC & PRAM to Make Your Laptop Fan Quieter
One quick tip for Mac users who are encountering constant fan noise is to reset the SMC (system management controller). The SMC is responsible for all sorts of everyday management, and out-of-control fans are a classic symptom of a problem.
You could also try resetting the PRAM and learning how to control your Mac’s fan speed.
3. Laptop Fan Running Loud? Cool It Down
Laptop coolers used to be innocuous-looking plates of metal with fans in the base, designed to maximize available airflow. These days they’re covered in LEDs, with variable wind speeds, temperature sensors, and in-built USB hubs.
Fortunately, peripherals like the Liangstar Laptop Cooling Pad still perform their job of keeping your laptop cool.
Coolers are ideal if you use your laptop on a desk or in another static position. They’re an especially compelling purchase for those looking to play demanding 3D games, render video, or put their machine under load for extended periods of time.
Remember: External coolers offer a remedy to your heat problem but aren’t a long-term solution for constantly hot, noisy laptops.
4. Laptop Fan Noisy? Clean Your Laptop!
If you’re still curious why your laptop is so loud, it could simply be dirty.
Loud laptop fans mean heat; if your fans are always loud then that means your laptop is always hot. Dust and hair buildup are unavoidable, and only serves to reduce airflow. Reduced airflow means poor heat dissipation, so you’ll need to physically clean the machine to make things better.
Warning: If your machine is still under warranty, opening it will void that warranty (including after-market extended warranties like AppleCare). Furthermore, if you don’t know what you’re doing you could damage components. Take care or consult a friend with a little more experience.
To clean your machine, you’ll need a can of compressed air, a screwdriver to open your laptop, and patience. You should also use an anti-static wristband and unplug your machine from the power (and if possible, remove the battery) to avoid damaging the internals or yourself with static electricity.
Use the air in short bursts to remove dust and hair from the internal components, particularly around fans and heat sinks. Take the time to read our thorough laptop cleaning guide which covers ports, vents, and internals.
5. How to Make a Laptop Fan Quieter With a Software Fix
Most laptops will allow you to control your fan speed using third party software. Some even feature built-in controls.
These apps typically enable laptop fan speed adjustments or initialize a cleaning routine to expel dirt and dust. So, in theory, you could reduce the fan noise on your laptop by reducing the speed.
Note, however, that this will make your laptop hotter, reducing its lifespan long term, so use with care.
Third party fan management apps are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Download: Macs Fan Control (Windows and Mac)
For Linux, you’ll need to install the lm-sensors and fancontrol packages. Refer to this StackExchange thread on managing a noisy fan on a Linux laptop for more information.
6. Laptop Fan Making a Buzzing Noise or Rattling? Replace It!
If your laptop fans suddenly sound different and are making a loud rattling or buzzing noise, you have a problem.
The issue is likely an issue with the bearings in the fan. Resolving this is almost always a case of replacing the fan. While jammed bearings can be fixed, it’s likely to take longer than buying and installing a replacement fan.
Switching the fan with a new one isn’t difficult, but it isn’t a task for anyone unfamiliar with laptop repair. While the underlying principle remains the same across all laptops, different models from different manufacturers have different procedures.
The video above demonstrates how to replace the fan in an HP Pavilion 15 Notebook.
7. Get an Expert to Check the Loud Laptop Fan
Still wondering why your laptop fan is making such a noise, but unwilling to open the device? It’s time to speak to an expert.
Hopefully your computer is under warranty. An Apple laptop can be taken to an Apple Store; other manufacturers have their own repair policies.
If you bought online, or your retailer is too far to visit, PC repair shops are also an option.
The best-case scenario here is that they’ll be able to clean the laptop, perhaps replacing the fan. However, be prepared for bad news. In some cases, the issue might require replacement of important hardware, like the motherboard.
You’ll typically be quoted a price for repair—if it’s expensive, it might be cheaper to buy a new laptop.
Success, You Fixed That Noisy Laptop Fan!
If your laptop has a noisy fan you can fix it with these simple steps:
- Kill processes to keep the fan quiet
- Mac users: reset SMC and PRAM
- Keep your laptop cool
- Clean your laptop
- Use software to control your laptop fan speed
- Replace your laptop fan
- Get an expert to check the noisy laptop fan
Thinking about buying a new laptop? Keep noisy fans and heat management in mind. Hybrids like Microsoft’s Surface range and the iPad Pro generate heat but use more efficient (and less powerful chips).
You should also listen out for any unusual sounds within your computer.
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