Laptop fan constantly running? Here’s what’s causing it
⚡Fast fix
- Put the laptop on a flat surface. When it has enough airflow, it's less likely to overheat.
- Blow dust from the vents. Sometimes, a quick spritz with a can of compressed air is all you need to fix a loud laptop fan.
- Close heavy apps. Use the Activity Monitor or Task Manager to shut down power-hungry software that may heat your laptop.
- Change the power mode to Balanced or Power Saver. If your laptop uses less energy, the fan may stop turning on.
You open up your laptop to rewatch The Bear or finish a project, but something distracts you. The fan hums away, impossible to ignore. You try moving your laptop to a different surface, but it still sounds like you're standing next to a jet engine. But how can you stop it?
At Asurion, we know how much you rely on your laptop for everything from work projects to weekend entertainment. From fixing a loud Mac® fan to troubleshooting an overheating laptop, we've got you covered. Here's what to do if your laptop fan is constantly running, so you can scroll in peace.
How to tell constant fan activity apart from noise issues
A loud laptop fan isn't necessarily an issue, as long as it doesn't run constantly.
Your computer's internal components naturally heat up when you run programs that use the graphics processing unit (GPU) and the central processing unit (CPU). If you start up The Sims or an ancient version of Zoo Tycoon, you may notice that the bottom of your laptop feels scorching hot. The fan pulls in cooler air from outside the laptop to lower the temperature. When your laptop is working normally, the fan switches off once the heat dissipates.
If your fan on your laptop is constantly running, that's a red flag. You may notice a faint rattling sound every time the fan runs, or it might run at full speed even when you're not doing anything. These can be signs of laptop cooling problems, such as dust or poor airflow.
While you can't buy a thermometer for your laptop, tools like SpeedFan or HWMonitor let you check the internal temperature. If this software shows that you have laptop overheating issues, it's time to look for background and system causes.
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Check background processes and system load
It's not always easy to tell why your laptop fan is running constantly. If everything looks fine from the outside, background apps can make your laptop fan work too hard through hidden activity. These troubleshooting tips can help you get to the bottom of the issue:
Check which programs use the most processing power
If you have an overheating MacBook®, use the Activity Monitor to see if high GPU or CPU usage is causing the fan noise. In Windows, use Task Manager to see which programs use the most resources.
Close browser tabs
If you have dozens of tabs open at once, it can strain your laptop's thermal management system. Say goodbye to those shopping tabs and that article you swore you'd read last week.
Shut down unnecessary programs
Even idle programs can affect performance. If your laptop's hardware is overheating, try closing all the software.
Undo recent software and driver changes.
When you update drivers, it can lead to fan issues if the new version generates too much heat. Roll back these updates on Mac by using Time Machine to restore your system to an earlier version.
On Windows, follow these steps:
- Open the Control Panel and click System Properties.
- Click System Protection and System Restore.
- Follow the System Restore wizard to reset recently installed programs and drivers.
Pause antivirus scans
Antivirus programs often scan your laptop in the background. Turning off these checks or running them less frequently can reduce laptop fan noise.
Review power, firmware, and hardware settings
If your fan on your laptop keeps running even after you reduce your system load, it's time for more advanced troubleshooting. Try these steps:
- Update firmware (BIOS) and drivers. If your laptop fan is always on, outdated firmware may be causing cooling issues. Visit the manufacturer's support site to check for available updates.
- Adjust the power settings on your laptop. Performance mode forces your laptop to work faster and harder, driving up the temps. Switching to Balanced or Power Saver can prevent your fan from running at high speed.
- Clear out dust buildup in the laptop fan. Spray all the nooks and crannies with compressed air to blow out dust and other debris.
- Replace your fan or thermal sensor. Failing hardware is another common cause of laptop fan noise. Replacing these parts with new ones may fix the issue.
- Get professional help. If you've tried everything else on this list and your fan is running constantly on your laptop, reach out to an Asurion Expert for help.
If you've tried these steps and still need a little help, we're right around the corner. Schedule a repair at the nearest uBreakiFix® by Asurion store and our certified experts can get your device back up and running as soon as the same day.
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