Fans are essential cooling components for computers. Some of them are found inside of the case, whereas others are found on the outside. Computer fans inside of the case are designed to draw cool air into the case so that it can move around the processor and other hardware. Computer fans outside of the case are designed to blow out hot air.
If your computer fan runs nonstop, you might be wondering what’s causing this phenomenon. Computer fans work automatically. As the temperature of your computer increases, they’ll typically speed up. So, why is your computer fan running nonstop?
Normal Operation
Unbeknownst to most users, it’s completely normal for computer fans to nonstop. From the moment your computer turns on, the fan will begin to spin. Doing so will help to regulate your computer’s temperature.
Computer components can get pretty hot. When left unchecked, all of this heat can cause catastrophic damage to them. A fan, however, will regulate the temperature of your computer’s components so that they don’t overheat. The fan will typically spin nonstop from the moment you turn on your computer until the time when you turn it off.
What’s Not Normal
While your computer fan is likely designed to run nonstop, it shouldn’t run at high speed all the time. Most computer fans use a variable-speed operation. In other words, they can adjust the speed at which they spin. If your computer is relatively cool, the fan may spin slowly. As your computer becomes hotter, the fan will spin more quickly.
If your computer fan runs continuously at the fastest speed there may be an underlying problem. Clogged vents, for instance, may cause this phenomenon. There should be vents on the exterior of the case. These vents work in conjunction with the fan to regulate temperatures. If the vents are clogged with dust and debris, air won’t be able to circulate into and out of the case. Your computer’s temperature will then increase, which may cause the fan to continuously at the fastest speed.
You may also want to monitor your Central Processing Unit (CPU) usage. In Windows, CPU usage is displayed in Task Manager. Using Task Manager, you can see which processes are using the most CPU. These CPU-intensive processes may contribute to fan problems, such as the fan running continuously at the fastest speed.
Something else to consider is the BOIS. Computer fans are typically controlled by the BIOS. If you’re using an outdated BIOS, it may cause problems with the fan.