Why is My Laptop Fan So Loud? Reasons and 7 Best Fixes

Last Updated:Jul 16, 2024

There’s nothing more frustrating than a loud laptop fan that sounds like it is about to take off. But do you understand what it means? It means that your laptop is dealing with some issues and the fan is doing its work to cool down the system. This can lead to future problems that will be expensive to deal with. At its worst, this problem can even make your Laptop slow and lag behind your commands. 

So, what can you do to fix the laptop fan noise? Read this comprehensive guide to learn about the potential reasons and troubleshooting steps to fix the issue. 

Let’s get started!

Is It Normal for My Laptop Fan to Be Noisy?

Laptop fan

No, it is not normal; these fans are installed inside the system to keep it cool. This small device dissipates heat by circulating air, preventing the processor from overheating. However, if your laptop feels hot and the fan makes loud noises, this is a sign of a problem. 

Excessive heat might cause the fans to run faster and continuously, potentially damaging internal components and reducing computer performance. Under normal functioning conditions, a computer should create a significant amount of heat and feel warm to the touch, depending on its usage. But if the fans continue to spin rapidly, you need to get your system fixed. 

Now that you’re aware of the issue, let’s go ahead and discuss the reasons behind the issue in the next section. 

Why is My Laptop Fan So Loud? 

To fix the technical issues, it is quite important to understand the reasons or causes of the problem to cut it from its roots and prevent it from repeating. So, here are the common culprits behind laptop fan loud noises. 

Overheating 

As mentioned, the fan is intended to keep your device cool during use. However, when your laptop is pushed to its limitations, whether through a strenuous activity like gaming or working on too many applications simultaneously, it can generate extra heat, leading the fan to spin continuously. As the fan attempts to maintain appropriate temperatures, it may operate at a higher volume than usual, producing loud noises. 

Mechanical Issues

Well, the overheating is not the sole reason behind this fan issue, it might be an indication of underlying mechanical issues in your system. A faulty fan or other internal components can produce grinding, screaming, or clicking noises, emphasizing the need for an examination and possible repair.

So these are the potential causes of laptop fan noise issues. Let’s now quickly go ahead and check out the major troubleshooting methods that we have listed in the next section.

7 Troubleshooting Methods for the “Laptop Fan is Noisy” Issue 

It might be a shocker for users who think loud fan noise is a critical issue, but the truth is, you can easily solve this problem all by yourself. Here are a few solutions you can swear by:

Optimizing Airflow 

The simplest troubleshooting steps are often overlooked, but you must start with this one. First, restart your device and place it on a hard and flat surface to prevent airflow obstruction. This gives better ventilation to the internal fans, which results in better and smoother

 operation of the device. 

Cleaning Air Vents 

If you do not service your laptop for a long time, dust and debris can accumulate in the air vents. This will obstruct the airflow, causing the fan to run harder than necessary. To fix this, you must do regular maintenance by using compressed air to clean out the vents. All this will help you prevent dust buildup and reduce the strain on the fan. 

Manage Background Processors 

Once you have used the application and no longer need it, you must remove it properly. If you do not do this, the apps and programs will continue to run in the background, increasing CPU usage. 

When the CPU gets heated, the fan works faster to cool down the system, causing loud noises. By identifying and removing unnecessary programs with integrated system utilities such as Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac), you may minimize the strain on your CPU and thereby quiet down your laptop’s fan.

Here’s how to remove background running apps on Windows: 

  • Press Control + Alt + Delete together to launch the task manager. 
    Control+Alt+Delete
  • Now, click on Task Manager and right-click on the program you need to remove.
    Click on task manager
  • Lastly, tap on End task, and you are done.

    For Mac users, here’s how to shut down background running processors:

  • Press and hold the Command key + Space together to launch the Spotlight. 
    Click on the command and space key
  • Now go to the Activity Monitor tab to open the folders.
    Click on the Activity Monitor tab
  • Tap on the Activity Monitor button and double-click on the processors you want to remove. 

That is how you remove the processors that are running in the background.

Remove Viruses and Malware 

It’s a known fact that viruses and malware can hamper your system’s performance, which causes it to work harder than normal. When a system is corrupted, it leads to high temperatures and loud fan noises. In this case, you must use a robust antivirus program to clear the malware from your laptop. Plus, make sure to perform regular scans to detect and remove the virus to restore your laptop’s efficiency.  

Reset the Operating System

Resetting your laptop can give it a fresh start. The reinstallation of Windows, PRAM, and SMC can improve your device’s performance, browsing speed, security, and battery life. Moreover, this can also recalibrate the internal components, restore the optimal functioning of the fan for low sound, and is one of the best techniques to speed up your system.

For MacBook users, here is how to reset PRAM:

  • Go to the Apple menu and shut down your laptop.
  • After a few seconds, turn it on and hold Option + Command + P + R. 
    Hold Option+Command+P+R
  • Release the keys after the laptop restarts.

    You can also reset SMC on your MacBook with the steps given below:

  • First, connect the laptop to the charger and shut down the device. 
  • Hold and press the Shift + Option + Control and Power button together for 30 seconds.
    Press Shift+Option+Control+Power
  • Now, press the power button to turn on your system.

    For Windows users, follow the steps given below to reset it:

  • First, go to the Start button and click on Settings.
    Click on the Windows Start button.
  • From the given options, select System Preference > Recovery.
  • You’ll see an option to reset, click on the Reset button. 
    Click on Reset

This will reset your device and reinstall the OS. Just make sure to save all your data before you initiate the resetting process. 

Update Drivers and Software 

Outdated drivers and software can hinder the system’s functionalities. Drivers are software components that play a vital role in communicating with the hardware parts and devices, and the outdated version can potentially cause loud laptop fan noise. You must regularly check your system and update the software, drivers, and applications for optimal performance. 

To update Windows, follow the steps below:

  • Go to the Windows Start button.
    Click on the Windows Start button.
  • Open the Settings app and select the Windows Update section. 
    Click on Windows Update
  • On this page, you can check for updates and install them if available.

    Here’s how to check for updates on your MacBook: 

  • Navigate to the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
    Select the System Settings tab
  • Click on Software Update, and you’ll see if there’s any available update.
  • Tap on the Update Now button to install it. 

Updating your software has the potential to help you effectively fix this error of loud fan noise.

Get the Fan Replaced 

If the actions outlined above do not resolve the issue, you may need to replace the hard drive or the fan. For this, you can visit the laptop repair center and get the problems fixed by the experts. 

These are the 7 troubleshooting methods that will help you fix the loud noises coming out of the laptop fan. If the problem persists, please contact the company’s customer service. 

So this was all about the “Why is my laptop fan so loud?” question. We hope this blog will help you fix your system and bring it back to normal condition. Don’t forget to share this with your friends and family to make them aware too!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is My Laptop So Loud?

The fan and hard disk are the primary causes of the laptop’s noise. 

How to stop the fan of the laptop from making noises?

You should clean the fan and vents, reduce CPU usage, and replace the fan as needed. 

Why is there a noise from the laptop fan?

Your computer processor may be malfunctioning, resulting in air clogging in the vents. 

Sources

How to troubleshoot fan issues? – By Dell Technologies 

Laptop fan running constantly loud – By Microsoft Community 

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