What to Do if Your Laptop Fan Won't Come On

The laptop fan plays a critical role in the overall function of the laptop itself. When the fan is not working properly, the laptop stands the chance of overheating due to its inability to cool down during operation. Some laptops have one fan, others have several, but no matter how many fans your laptop has, they all serve a purpose. When one stops spinning, it could mean big problems. Keeping the fans clean and free from dust and dirt can help alleviate this problem.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• USB Mini vacuum
• Can of compressed air
• Tweezers

1. Try to remove any lint or dust that may be stuck inside the fan, using a small USB vacuum. A mini USB vacuum is just what the name implies, a small vacuum that plugs into your laptop’s USB outlet. The vacuum is gentle enough to be used for cleaning computer parts, and is very effective in removing the dust that may be impairing your laptop’s fan from coming on.

2. Spray compressed air into the fan’s vent to free up any dust that may be affecting it. Compressed air is sold in cans at most electronics stores, and works well in removing dust from keyboards, outlets and the laptop’s fan.

3. Pick the laptop up and give it a gentle shake. Grip the laptop tightly with both hands and shake it up and down, and side to side. If there is anything that is stuck inside the fan that is keeping it from spinning, a little shake may dislodge it.

4. Use a pair of tweezers to remove any foreign objects that are preventing the fan from spinning. It may sound strange, but often crumbs, dirt particles and other tiny objects can get trapped in your fan’s vent and cause it to stop spinning. If it is visible, you may be able to remove it with a pair of tweezers.

5. Take your laptop to a computer expert if you cannot diagnose the problem yourself. After you have tried the above solutions, you may want to seek help from a professional to troubleshoot the problem. Consult your laptop’s manufacturer for a service solution that can help resolve a problem with the fan.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have succeeded in getting the fan to work again via the compressed air or vacuuming, why not give your laptop a complete aesthetic lift? Use the mini vacuum or compressed air on the keyboard and other external parts to remove any buildup of particles that can cause problems later.
• Never unscrew and open up the laptop’s outer shell if it is still under warranty. Doing so can void any guarantees that are made by the manufacturer. Seek help from a professional before you proceed.
• Apply compressed air to your laptop’s fan sparingly. Excess spinning of the blades can damage the fan permanently.

Resources

• Compressed air and other laptop accessories can be found at:

[2besure]

on 11/9/2008 I am tempted to open it up; but I think I better just take her for repair.

[2besure]

on 11/9/2008 didn't help