Almost all PC fans tend to get loud after a few months of use, so you might think that’s normal.
Yes, a used PC could sound like a plane engine when playing Flight Simulator. But when you are doing nothing and your computer sounds like an ultra leaf blower; no, that’s not normal. And you should take the necessary measures to fix it.
In this article, I’ve explained why your PC fan is getting loud when inactive and provided all the steps to solve this problem and some tips so that the fans don’t get loud ever again.
Let’s keep your PC silent.
Why Your PC Fans so Loud
Your PC fans can be loud when idle because the fans are collecting dust or there’s not enough breathing room for the fans. It can also happen due to a bad process running in the background, malware, an outdated driver, or an overclocked CPU.
You need to know why your PC fans are getting loud even when the PC is not doing anything because knowing is half the solution.
Here are the reasons why your PC fans are loud when idle:
Dust & Dirt
If you haven’t cleaned your PC in a few months and the fans are getting louder and louder every day, there’s a high chance that it is because of dust collected on your fans.
When dust accumulates on the fans, it prevents cool air from getting inside the PC. And the CPU gets hot. As a result, the fans speed up to cool down the CPU, and the fans get loud.
Lack of Proper Ventilation
In case there’s not enough breathing room behind the PC, the airflow gets restricted. It can cause the processor and hardware to overheat, resulting in system failure. To prevent it, the fans get loud by turning up the speed.
Virus & Malware Attack
If a virus or malware infects your computer, it wastes a lot of resources, causes stress on the CPU, and increases the temperature. As a result, the fans start to turn much faster and get noisy.
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Defected Processes Running in the Background
Corrupt processes or even a program or process that did not boot up properly can put a lot of pressure on the CPU, causing it to overheat, resulting in higher rotating fans and more noise.
Overclocked CPU
There’s a reason that a processor’s maximum power is locked. If you overclock the CPU and always use maximum performance, it is a sure way to overheat the CPU. As a result, turning the fans much quicker, producing loud noise.
Outdated Drivers
Old and outdated drivers do not go well with installed hardware. It’s like having an old rusty engine in your Ferrari.
Outdated drivers can make the whole system unstable and cause stress on the CPU, overheating it. And you can guess what an overheated CPU leads to.
Also, Check out the battle-tested comparisons between Corsair Dominator and Corsair Vengeance RAM.
How to Fix Loud PC Fan When Idle
You need to keep your PC clean. Demount the fans and clean them properly, also clean the vents and heatsink. Scan the computer for at least a week and eliminate any type of virus or malware. Keep your device drivers updated to the latest versions.
Here are the steps to fix loud PC fan noise:
1. Grab a Brush and Start Cleaning
Dust is the most common thing that makes the fans noisy. The fans will collect dust; that is inevitable. Just make sure they don’t collect enough dust to overheat the CPU. A proper cleaning once a month will do the job. Keep the desktop table clean as well.
Carefully disassemble your desktop and clean everything with an air duster. You can use a small paintbrush to clean the blades of the fans.
2. Give Your PC Some Space
We all get uncomfortable if someone gets in our personal space. It’s true for PCs as well.
Don’t keep the PC too close to the wall. Make sure there’s enough room in front and the back of the computer to get enough air to circulate through itself. Also, ensure that the ventilation is not covered by anything.
3. Scan for Virus & Malware
Use antivirus software and scan the whole computer at least twice a week. If you have Windows 10 and higher, it’ll come with a default antivirus called Windows Security.
Here’s how you can scan your computer:
- Select Windows Security from the taskbar hidden icons.
- Go to Virus & threat protection and click Scan options.
- Choose Full scan.
- Click Scan now.
After the scan is complete, remove the viruses if found.
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4. Check the Running Processes
Open Task Manager and check if any process is behaving suspiciously or not. On idle, the CPU usage should be 1% to 5%, and the memory should be around 25% to 40% for an 8GB RAM system.
Make sure to end the processes of the apps you are not using and if a process is using a lot of resources, try to end it.
5. Close Unwanted Tabs
Web browsers like Chrome and Safari use a lot of memory. If you keep opening tabs, the RAM keeps reducing. When you are done with a page, make sure to close the tab. Also, keep the browsers updated; their memory usage will drastically reduce.
6. Stop Overclocking the CPU
The CPU is restricted for a reason. It keeps the processor cool & calm so it may live longer. Yes, overclocking the CPU will unlock its full potential, but the cost is too high. It might stress out the CPU easily, even when it’s not doing anything.
In case you’ve already overclocked the CPU, then underclock it.
7. Update Everything
Regularly check for updates of every app you’ve installed; when an update is available, download and install it immediately. Also, update your device drivers, even install the optional updates.
Here’s how you can check for driver updates:
- Click the Windows icon and go to Settings.
- Select Update & Security.
- Click Check for updates.
In case an update is available, Windows will download and install it. After installation, restart the device if required.
8. Check Fan Connection
The processor controls the fans’ RPM by using the temperature data provided by the thermal sensors. If you connect the fan to the wrong port in the motherboard, the CPU cannot control the fan, and it runs at maximum speed, creating a loud noise.
Make sure the fans are connected to the correct headers.
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9. Replace Fans
If the fans are still giving you a headache, it’s time to say goodbye to them and buy new ones. Small fans tend to get louder, so try to buy large fans. Also, if your heatsink is small, purchase a bigger one.
FAQs
Why is my fan so loud when I turn on my PC?
Your fan can be loud when you turn on the PC because the fan is collecting dust or the ventilation system is covered. It can also happen due to a corrupted process running in the background, malware, an outdated driver, or an overclocked CPU.
Is it bad if my PC is loud?
Yes, PC being loud is generally pretty bad. You need to find out what’s causing the sound and fix it immediately.
Why is CPU fan running so fast?
CPU fan can be running fast because the CPU is getting too hot, and by running fast, the fan is trying to cool down the CPU, or the fan is connected to the wrong motherboard header.
Final Thoughts
Great! We are at the end. It’s so nice and quiet, isn’t it? The sound of silence is so peaceful.
Keep doing what I’ve instructed here. Keep everything clean, keep everything updated, and scan frequently, and you won’t feel like your computer is going to fly away.
Let me know if you have any questions regarding any other parts of the PC. See you in the comment section.
