What can cause a cpu fan to stop working?

Bronxkid

Senior member
Jun 11, 2001
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My cpu fan has been making a lot of noise and this morning it just stopped. I realized it when my computer shutdown from overheating. I restarted and checked the temp. Then I opened the case and the fan isn't working. Do fans actually breakdown like that? I've only had this computer for 6 months. I checked and it's still connected to the motherboard. Does this mean the motherboard is going bad?
 

teddymines

Senior member
Jul 6, 2001
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Does the fan spin easily if you flick one of the blades with your finger? If not, the bearing is probably bad. If it spins fine, you should see if it runs while hooked up to another power source, such as another fan header pinout on your motherboard. You may be able to hook it directly to one of the power supply leads if you have an adapter. Hopefully, it is just a problem with the fan only.
 

Jasonh100

Senior member
Apr 21, 2001
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if it was making noise previous to the failure, then it is probably a bad fan. When you flick one of the blades it should make some sort of sound instead of spinning freely. Even if that fan header on your motherboard went bad, it doesn't mean that you whole motherboard is going bad.
 

Bronxkid

Senior member
Jun 11, 2001
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Thanks guys. The fan doesn't spin very well so I guess it needs to be replaced. However, I put it in a different connector on the mobo and it works (for now)!! However, it still makes a lot of noise, so I should change it soon. When I jiggle the wires that connect the fan to the mobo around a little the sound goes away sometimes (depending on how I move the wire. Weird. Just glad my mobo is ok.
 

RickH

Senior member
Aug 5, 2000
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I take it you don't have an AMD processor?? Fans fail for many reasons. I have seen several AMD CPUs and motherboards destroyed from a defective fan, connector or even a cable touching the blades and preventing it from turning. If you have an AMD processor use a monitoring utility like Motherboard Monitor to keep an eye on fan speeds, temperatures, etc. If the alarm detects a reduced fan speed, investigate the problem. Those suckers run too hot. RRRRRRR.
 

2336

Elite Member
Feb 11, 2000
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Also if it's a Delta get a 3-pin to 4-pin adapter or you'll keep burning out fan headers on your MoBo. GiZZo sells a really neat little adapter that routes power from a 4-pin P/S connector but connects to the tach connector on the MoBo. You can still monitor the rpm of the fan and you don't risk burning out the fan header.:);)