Introduction: 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.
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.
Step 2: Remove Sticker and Split Ring
First, remove the sticker on the fan. That will expose the shaft and the split ring that holds the fan in place. Use the pick to gently pry the split ring off the shaft and remove the fan. Set the split ring aside for reassembly later. If possible, leave the o-ring in place. Otherwise, put it on the fan shaft.
Step 3: Lubricate
I used some Hoppe's #9 gun lubricant on my fan. It worked great. Add a few drops of lubricant to the inside edge of the fan. Rotate it around until it looks wet. Try not to use more lubricant than necessary. It helps to put the fan back in the bearing and spin it around a bit to get a nice even coating.
Step 4: Reassemble
Be sure the o-ring is still in place as you put the fan back into the bearing and pop the split ring back on. Add another few drops of lubricant to the fan shaft around the split ring and spin the fan around a bit. It should be nice and smooth now. Reattach the fan and turn it on. If all went well, it should be nice and quiet again!
22 Comments
5 years ago on Introduction
What if there is nothing exposed other than the fan housing when you remove the sticker? Then you need to head on over to my new article.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Noisy-Computer-Fan-Repair/
8 years ago on Introduction
What to do if there is no split ring?
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
There should be some kind of clip holding the axle in place.
9 years ago on Step 4
Great tutorial. Very helpful. My GPU Cooler works like new. Thanks
10 years ago on Introduction
would sewing maching lube work too?
10 years ago on Introduction
If you can get in there and wipe the crud out the bearing, it works that much better.
10 years ago on Introduction
Awesome to see someone else that figured out how to open computer fans right up!
12 years ago on Introduction
great instructable! my servers cpu fan sounds like theres a gun fight goin on inside my pc lol
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
That would be awesome! :D
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
or it could be all the dust mites having a nuclear war in there :O
12 years ago on Introduction
you should also blast the "fins" with compressed air to get the dust off
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
For that I useubbing alcohol.
11 years ago on Introduction
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.
12 years ago on Introduction
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.
12 years ago on Introduction
Use grease instead of oil and it'll last longer
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
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
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I've used oil and oil and oil and then switched to grease and never had to re-do them.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
wow, how old and how often is your computer on?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
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
12 years ago on Introduction
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)...