GPUs have become one of the most important computing technologies for computers, especially gaming PCs. After building your PC, you may experience some issues, including GPU fans not spinning. When gaming, your GPU generates a lot of heat. Therefore, a GPU fan is required to keep the graphics card cool. When they stop spinning, your GPU can get very hot, causing display issues and even hardware failures.
Your GPU fan not spinning is a frustrating issue that will prevent you from using your graphics card capabilities. Fortunately, there are several solutions to this problem, some quick and straightforward, while others are complicated.
We’ll walk you through 10 ways to fix GPU fan issues, not spinning issues. Therefore, if your GPU fan is not spinning, you can follow the troubleshooting steps below to resolve the issue.
Some common reasons include a PCIe power cable not plugged in, your GPU fan is dusty, and you haven’t oiled the GPU fan’s bearings. Whatever the reason, we’ve compiled the best fixes to get your GPU fans working.
1. The GPU is in idle mode
Before ending your GPU fan problems, you should double check if they should be spinning. In most cases, the GPU fan will not spin unless under load. So you can’t do something intensive on your system; therefore your graphics card is relatively cool.In this case your GPU will be idle.
When your graphics cards are idle, they use passive cooling hardware like heatsinks to keep the temperature in check. You shouldn’t expect your GPU fan to spin while doing basic tasks like browsing the web. However, it helps if you keep in mind that this doesn’t necessarily mean your GPU fans are working. There are several ways to check if your GPU fan is working.
You can do something intensive on your system like play a game to see if they spin. If your fan isn’t spinning after running a GPU-intensive game, something’s wrong. This is because the GPU core temperature will increase and the fans are expected to start running.
The downside of running a stress test is that your graphics card can overheat, causing damage. A safer option is to restart your PC, if you don’t hear any sound then there is a problem with your graphics card.
2. Restart your computer
The first thing to do when your GPU fan isn’t spinning is to restart your PC. As simple as it sounds, restarting your PC can fix many PC-related issues, including GPU fans not spinning. Most IT technicians around the world recommend that you reboot your system if you encounter a problem before attempting any technical fixes. Rebooting the system will refresh and adjust its settings to ensure proper operation. This may restart your GPU fan.
3. Control the GPU fan curve
As mentioned earlier, the GPU fan will not spin until it reaches a certain temperature. The problem could be a bad or wrong GPU fan curve preventing it from spinning. As the temperature rises, your GOU fan will spin faster. If this doesn’t happen, you can change the fan curve to spin up the fan earlier than the default setting.
You must download the hardware monitor and configure your GPU RPM.you can use it MSI Afterburner Manually adjust the GPU fan speed. MSI Afterburn is a GPU customization software that allows you to create custom fan curves. You can also monitor the GPU fan speed for any anomalies.
4. Install the driver
Driver issues can also prevent your GPU from working properly. Your computer may be using a corrupt or outdated graphics driver, causing the fan not spinning issue. You should always make sure your PC has the latest GPU drivers.
Depending on your GPU, you can manually update your graphics driver by visiting the GPU manufacturer’s website. You can download the latest graphics driver and install it in your system.
Alternatively, you can update the graphics driver by device Manager By taking the following steps:
step 1: according to Windows+R Opens the Run dialog.
Step 2: enter devmgmt.msc and click OK Open Device Manager.
Step 3: expand Display adapter part. You will see a list of all graphics drivers installed on your computer.
Step 4: Right-click the driver you want to update and click Update drivers.
Step 5: choose Automatic driver search.
Windows will search for the latest available updates and download and install them. Updated drivers with the latest features and bug fixes can fix your GPU fan, not spinning issues.
5. Roll back any updates
If your GPU fan suddenly stops working, a recent update may have corrupted your system files and drivers. The best solution is to roll back drivers and updates and check if the problem is resolved. You can roll back the graphics driver through Device Manager.Instead of clicking update driver above, you can click Roll back the driver and follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Make the power connector plugged in
A connection error may be the reason why your GPU fan is not working. After buying a new GPU, you might overlook your connections, especially if you’re new to PC building. When building a gaming PC, it is a common mistake for users to forget or connect components incorrectly.
There are different models of GPUs, some use a 6-pin connector while others use an 8-pin connector. Therefore, you should make sure that they are properly connected to the power source. When your GPU fan is not working, it may be that the PSU’s power connector is not connected, or the pins are not fully pushed into the card.
It helps if you also keep in mind that GPUs require a lot of power. Before purchasing a graphics card, you should research its power requirements and connectors to ensure they are compatible with your PC. A lack of power prevents them from working as expected. Make sure you push the power connector all the way in and your power supply has the correct wattage.
7. Clean the fan
The most common culprit for a GPU fan not spinning is the buildup of dust and other materials on the blades. Unless your GPU is new, there may be dust or obstructions that keep the blades from moving. Since the GPU fan moves hot air away from the GPU, the fan will constantly interact with particles and dust in the PC.
When dirt and dust accumulates on the blades, it increases their mass. Since the torque of the GPU fans is very low, it doesn’t take much time before they stop spinning. To fix this, you should clean your PC and GPU fans regularly. You can use compressed air or a cotton swab to thoroughly clean the GPU fan and computer.
8. Oil the bearings
As fans age, their bearings may begin to wear out, lose their ability to spin and eventually stop altogether. This constant wear creates friction that can damage your graphics card. You can prevent this by oiling the bearings with a light oil.
To lubricate the bearings, you must remove the GPU from the computer, remove the fan, and peel off the sticker on the back. Then you can apply a small amount of oil to the bearing. This will reduce sliding friction and prevent permanent damage to the bearing. It helps if you are not using WD-40 on the GPU as it can permanently damage the fan.
9. Test on another computer
If nothing works, you can test the GPU on another computer. Your PC may have a faulty component preventing your GPU from working. The only way to determine if the problem is with the graphics card or other system components is to try it on another system.
If the card is working on another system, your computer may have a faulty component. Identifying faulty components will be tricky. However, in most cases, the problem may be your computer motherboard or your power supply not sending enough power to the GPU.
10. Replace the fan
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Unfortunately, if there is no other way to solve your problem, you have no choice but to replace the fan. Your GPU may be faulty or outdated. If your GPU is still under warranty, you can return it to the manufacturer for replacement. If not, you can buy a new fan specifically for your GPU. If the fan stops working due to aging, you should consider buying a brand new GPU.
in conclusion
Unless your GPU fan is in passive cooling mode, you need to fix the GPU fan not spinning issue immediately, especially if you are running intensive tasks on your PC. After reading our guide, we hope you found a solution that works for you. Remember to be careful when handling computer components.
