Power supply fan stopped working

[JEDI]

case overheated, computer froze.
right now I have the case opened (side panel removed).

computer works now with the side panel off.

any easy fix to get the psu fan working again?
or easier just to replace the power supply?

 

[VirtualLarry]

If the PSU fan stopped, and the PC froze, then it sounds like either the CPU or the PSU overheated. Probably the PSU, which likely damaged it. I would replace the PSU.

 

[mfenn]

So the computer doesn't start even now? What exactly happens when you press the power button?

 

[JEDI]

So the computer doesn't start even now? What exactly happens when you press the power button?

oh.. computer works now.
the side panel is off.

that's why I thought the cpu just over heated and thermal protection kicked in.


arrgg.. going to re-do the OP to make it clearer.

 

[frozentundra123456]

I have been having similar problems. The fan of the psu is sticking. Amazingly, the computer will not boot if the fan is not spinning. If I just flick the fan, it will start and the computer boots. I am also having freezing like the OP, and it sometimes reboots. Too bad, because as long as the fan is spinning the computer works fine.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Very simple fix, PSUs just use a 12v case fan most of the time. Just find a fan the same size and wire it in. You may have to solder it if it's hard wired or uses a proprietary connector but not a big deal. Either way if you buy a new fan it will most likely be 12v so just wire it to the 12v rail if you're not sure.

Don't throw away a psu just because the fan failed. It's like throwing out a car because the air in the tires is low.

 

[wangotango]

Very simple fix, PSUs just use a 12v case fan most of the time. Just find a fan the same size and wire it in. You may have to solder it if it's hard wired or uses a proprietary connector but not a big deal. Either way if you buy a new fan it will most likely be 12v so just wire it to the 12v rail if you're not sure.

Don't throw away a psu just because the fan failed. It's like throwing out a car because the air in the tires is low.

I agree.

 

[MongGrel]

I actually have taken them apart before and modded the PSU case then and stuck a 120 with a enclosure on the top before, after I milled it on a Bridgeport to fit, someone is still using it atm.

But I'm not going to recommend it off hand I guess as I do not know the exact situation.

 

[crashtech]

Back in the bad old days when most PSUs had a loud 80mm fan, I used to put quieter ones in all the time just because I wanted to quiet things down a bit. It is not rocket science.

 

[bruceb]

Any good electronics / computer hobbyist should have the skills needed to swap out that fan. Just be sure it is the same physical size and watch the air flow direction when you install. Most fans of that type have an ARROW molded on the case to indicate which way the air flow is.

 

[mfenn]

Have you looked at the PSU fan to make sure it's spinning? That'd be the first step before assuming that it's the problem.

 

[crashtech]

I guess he never did state specifically that it wasn't turning... hmm...

 

[JEDI]

Have you looked at the PSU fan to make sure it's spinning? That'd be the first step before assuming that it's the problem.

I guess he never did state specifically that it wasn't turning... hmm...

title of thread is " Power supply fan stopped working "

don't understand these 2posts?

 

[crashtech]

title of thread is " Power supply fan stopped working "

don't understand these 2posts?

So you posted just point out our mistakes, but not to say anything about the PC in question?

 

[piasabird]

This might be a problem if your power supply turns the fan off in sleep mode than when it tries to restart the fan sticks and it does not turn on.

Probably shipping a power supply off to be fixed is not very cost effective. If you have a warranty you could ship it back.

Dust can kill anything.

Bet the fan is soldered to the fan wires.

Imagines duck taping new fan on the outside and hooking it up to a 12 volt line.

 

[VirtualLarry]

or easier just to replace the power supply?

Probably. Unless it's an expensive high-powered one that's still under warranty.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I would just open it up and put a new fan in. If you think it's some weird sleep mode thing then just hook it up to the 12v rail that goes to the rest of the pc. Problem solved.

Literally a 5 minute job and 2 of those minutes is opening it up and waiting for the solder iron to warm up.

Just don't touch the big capacitors they may still have power.