How to Repair a Computer Fan

If you have a computer fan that sounds like the bearing has been replaced with gravel, there may actually be a simple fix. All you need is a screw driver, a small pick, and some lubricant. In this instructable, I repair my GPU fan. However, the process should be nearly identical for any fan in your PC.

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Step 1: Remove Fan

I repaired my GPU fan. First, find the screws holding the fan in place, and remove them so that you can access both sides of the fan freely. Now is a good time to clean up all the dust that's been collecting around the fan. Some canned air will work nicely.

makestructor says: Dec 4, 2012. 10:57 AM

What to do if there is no split ring?

prule says: Apr 4, 2011. 1:44 PM

Great tutorial. Very helpful. My GPU Cooler works like new. Thanks

zack247 says: Aug 1, 2010. 1:23 PM

would sewing maching lube work too?

The Lightning Stalker says: Apr 30, 2010. 6:54 AM

If you can get in there and wipe the crud out the bearing, it works that much better.

Punkguyta says: Apr 6, 2010. 5:45 AM

Awesome to see someone else that figured out how to open computer fans right up!

djr6789 says: Feb 17, 2009. 10:01 AM

great instructable! my servers cpu fan sounds like theres a gun fight goin on inside my pc lol

Solderguy in reply to djr6789Oct 20, 2009. 8:04 PM

That would be awesome! :D

djr6789 in reply to SolderguyNov 10, 2009. 5:11 AM

or it could be all the dust mites having a nuclear war in there :O

Sandisk1duo says: Sep 8, 2008. 9:55 PM

you should also blast the "fins" with compressed air to get the dust off

Derin in reply to Sandisk1duoMay 8, 2009. 10:12 PM

For that I useubbing alcohol.

rshino says: Mar 29, 2009. 3:59 PM

thanks for this. i had a slow fan on a drive enclosure and the tip to take off the sticker was the one that set me up. thanks a lot.

Derin says: Jan 31, 2009. 12:29 PM

You can also use sewing machine oil on a Q-tip.But use no more than one drop for each part.Shaft gets one drop with Q-tip and bearing gets one drop straight from the bottle.

Scott_Tx says: Sep 7, 2008. 9:22 AM

Use grease instead of oil and it'll last longer

nachosyumm in reply to Scott_TxSep 7, 2008. 9:59 AM

Actually for computer fans oil would work better. In all reality, most computer fans will never really need any sort of lubrication. I've re-oiled the fans on my computer that runs 24/7 only once in the past 3 years

Scott_Tx in reply to nachosyummSep 7, 2008. 10:32 AM

I've used oil and oil and oil and then switched to grease and never had to re-do them.

nachosyumm in reply to Scott_TxSep 7, 2008. 3:55 PM

wow, how old and how often is your computer on?

Scott_Tx in reply to nachosyummSep 7, 2008. 4:30 PM

My computer started with a 486 and its been upgraded a part here and a part there for 15 or so years. I think the floppy is still original. :P

danymw says: Sep 7, 2008. 5:54 AM

correct: how to repair most GPU fans... any idea on normal,cpu or power supply fans?they sound like 7 years old vacuums(not pc's)...

damonkohler (author) in reply to danymwSep 7, 2008. 7:01 AM

The process should be nearly identical for any fan in your PC. Just remove the fan, remove the sticker, remove the split ring, lubricate, and reassemble.

danymw in reply to damonkohlerSep 7, 2008. 9:55 AM

thanks for reply