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Fix GPU Fans not Spinning (Quick Methods)

ByHugo Miller Solutions

We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of an intense gaming session or working on some important graphics-intensive project when, suddenly, your GPU fan stops spinning.

Your first instinct is probably to panic, but don’t worry! In this blog post, we’ll walk you through some potential causes of why your GPU fan might have stopped spinning and how to fix them.

First things first, let’s identify whether or not your GPU fan has actually stopped spinning. If you’re unsure whether or not the fan is running, the best way to check is to open up your computer case and take a look.

If you see that the fan isn’t moving at all, then it’s safe to say that it has stopped spinning. However, if the fan is moving very slowly or making strange noises, then it’s likely that something is wrong with the fan itself and you’ll need to replace it.

Why Some GPU Fans Don’t Spin All the Time

GPUs that feature passive cooling or 0 RPM Mode don’t have their fans spin all the time. This is because the heatsink is responsible for cooling the GPU when it’s not under heavy stress.

If your GPU fan or fans aren’t set to spin constantly, you can easily force them to kick into gear and do what they are intended for. The easiest solution is to run an intensive game and check if the fan activates.

Here’s a quick video.

The Difference Between Passive Cooling and 0 RPM Mode

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Passive cooling is a state where the fan doesn’t spin all the time, as opposed to 0 RPM mode, which means the fan isn’t spinning at all.

These GPUs feature what’s called passive cooling or 0 RPM Mode, which leaves the heatsink responsible for cooling the GPU when it’s not under heavy stress.

If your GPU fan or fans aren’t set to spin constantly, you can easily force them to kick into gear and do what they are intended for.

Check Intel & AMD Mobo Reviews.

How to Force Your GPU Fan to Spin

The easiest way to get your GPU fan to spin is to run an intensive game or application. If the fan still isn’t spinning after you have applied stress tests or manually altered the fan speed, it’s possible that you’ve been barking up the wrong tree.

The actual numbers will only ever be anecdotal, but you would be surprised by just how many PC-related problems can be solved with a system restart.

Unfortunately, if nothing else has worked, you are left with no option but to replace the fan. For obvious reasons, this is the most troublesome solution and should be your last resort.

Applying Stress Tests to Check if the Fan Activates

If you want to check if your GPU fan is working, one way to do so is to apply stress tests. This usually involves running an intensive game or application and seeing if the fan kicks into gear.

If the fan doesn’t activate, it’s possible that there’s something wrong with the fan itself or that it’s not properly connected.

Manually Altering the Fan Speed

Another way to test if your GPU fan is working is to try manually altering the fan speed. This can be done in the BIOS or UEFI settings on your computer.

If you’re able to successfully change the fan speed, then it’s likely that the fan is working fine and that there’s another issue causing it not to spin.

Restarting Your System

Sometimes, a simple restart can fix a variety of issues on your computer. This includes things like corrupted files, driver issues, and more.

While the chances of a restart fixing a problem with your GPU fan are slim, it’s always worth trying before moving on to more drastic measures.

Replacing the Fan

If none of the other solutions have worked, then your last resort is to replace the fan entirely. This obviously requires opening up your computer case and dealing with delicate hardware, so it’s not something you should undertake lightly.

However, if you’re confident in your ability to do so, then replacing the fan is usually a pretty straightforward process.

Conclusion

In this article, we have fixed the problem of GPU fans not spinning. We hope that you have found this article to be helpful and informative. If you have any questions about your graphics card or computer in general, please feel free to contact us anytime.

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Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs)

One potential reason your GPU fans aren’t spinning could be that there’s dust or debris stuck inside the fan blades, preventing them from spinning. To clean the fan blades, you’ll need to remove them from the GPU and thoroughly clean them with a brush or compressed air.

Make sure to also check for any loose cables that might be stuck between the blades. Another thing worth checking is your fan curve settings.

Even if you’ve already done high-load tests, double-check that your fan curve isn’t set to 0% all the way through. This could be causing your fans to not spin even when they’re needed.

You might like reading knowledge base & solutions articles.

How do I get my GPU fan to work?

The fan on your graphics card is responsible for keeping the card cool while it’s in use. If the fan isn’t working properly, the card can overheat and cause damage.

Here are some things to try if you’re having trouble with your GPU fan:

  • Make sure that the card is getting enough power. Check the cables to make sure they’re all plugged in correctly.
  • Dust off the card and make sure there’s nothing blocking the fan.
  • Update your graphics drivers. The latest version might include fixes for fan issues.
  • You can usually control the fan speed from your graphics driver control panel. Try setting the fan speed to a higher percentage to see if that helps.
  • If you have another computer available, try testing the graphics card in that system to see if the problem persists.
  • If all else fails, you may need to return the card to the manufacturer for repair or replacement.

How do I know if my GPU fan is dying?

If your GPU’s fans are making strange noises or if one or more of them stops working, it’s a good indication that they may be dying.

In this case, it’s important to check your GPU’s temperature to see if it is running hotter than normal. If it is, this could be causing the fan(s) to work harder than usual and potentially lead to their failure.

Why is my GPU fan not spinning and no display?

Your GPU needs power from the PCIe power cable in order to function properly. If your GPU is not receiving power, then it will not be able to spin the fans or display any visual output.

Make sure that the PCIe power cable is correctly plugged into your graphics card and your power supply.

Why did my GPU fans stop spinning?

The reason your GPU’s fans may have stopped spinning is that the temps are low and it isn’t doing anything idling.

This is normal behavior for a fan and shouldn’t be a cause for alarm. If your temps suddenly spike, you may want to check to make sure your fan is still operating properly.

How do I force my GPU fan to turn on?

Depending on your GPU, there may be a dedicated fan control tab or slider in the BIOS. For AMD cards, this is often found in the “Chipset” section, while for Nvidia cards it’s usually under “Video Settings.”

If you can’t find any fan controls in the BIOS, try downloading and installing MSI Afterburner. This program is designed to let you fine-tune your graphics card settings, including fan speed.

Why are the fans on my GPU not running?

There are a few things that could be causing your GPU fans not to spin. The first thing you should check is to make sure that the fan blades are clean and free of any dust or debris.

It’s also worth checking to make sure that there are no loose cables stuck between the blades, preventing the fans from spinning.

Find more PC Components here.

Another thing to check is your fan curve settings. Even if you’ve already done high-load tests, it’s always a good idea to double-check that your fan curve isn’t set to 0% all the way through.

Hugo Miller
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