I have several LED fans. None of them have a way to shut off the LEDs. I never checked to see if you could just break off the LEDs. If you don't like the LEDs, though, I would just replace the LED fans with non-LED fans. While you can buy more expensive fans, many fans can be had for $1.50 - $3.50, and most people get by with "just" two fans (front and back, and not counting the fan(s) in the power supply). So, you probably aren't talking about much waste if you don't like the fans and decide to replace them. Besides, IMO LED fans are cool. I recommend you try them.