Cooler not working on laptop

Personal computers and laptops are equipped with mini fans called coolers. The mechanical device turns on when the system performs too complex and energy-intensive operations, due to which the architecture of the system unit gets very hot. To prevent overheating, hot air is drawn out through the vents. When problems arise with the internal fan, the laptop's hardware is at risk.

The main reasons for cooler failure

There are a number of reasons why the cooling system in a laptop stops working or does not work as it should. List of the main ones:

1. Excessively dirty rotating mechanism. The insides of personal computers and laptops are invariably filled with dust. Not only does dust in large quantities become electrified and can cause malfunction of microcircuits, but it also physically clogs the fan blades.
2. Damage to the fan mechanism. It may also happen that the blades in the cooling system break on their own. The forerunner of this is mechanical overload of the laptop itself, shaking, impacts on the case.
3. Failure of architectural elements responsible for the operation of the cooling system.The software part or chip responsible for turning the cooler on or off was damaged due to mechanical actions or virus activity in the system.
4. Temperature sensor failure. This problem is much less common than the previous ones, but it can also affect the cooler. There are sensors installed on the processor, video card or any board that detect the rate of temperature rise on the part. When the temperature rises above the permitted level, the fan starts working until it reduces it to an acceptable level. Due to their malfunction, the cooler will turn on and off for no apparent reason.

How to solve problems

Ways to troubleshoot problems for each of the breakdowns:

1. In case of contamination, the problematic part just needs to be cleaned. This is done using a screwdriver or a dust brush. How to access the cooler located inside the laptop is described below.
2. If the fan itself is damaged (the blades are cracked, or the rotation element stops working), then you will have to purchase a new one. Such parts cost about a thousand rubles in technical stores; you just need to know the processor model and the dimensions of the old cooler.
3. If problems are detected with system parameters (if the fan itself was normal and more or less clean), you need to download an anti-virus program and run a full scan of the laptop database for the presence of malicious software. If checking for viruses does not help, then you may have to replace the entire motherboard. If possible, you need to try the fan on another board.
4. Temperature sensor failures are easy to check.To do this, you need to download a special mini-program that displays various architectural parameters, including processor temperature. If the temperature differs from the real picture, or its indicators “jump” under equal conditions - for example, no processes are happening on the laptop, only the utility window is open, and the temperature rises sharply and rises - it means that the sensors are damaged. This can only be corrected by purchasing a new processor or removing the old fan and installing a third-party one for external cooling.

Cleaning the cooler yourself

To clean or replace the cooler, you need to disassemble the laptop. This should be done carefully, following step-by-step steps, so that you can repeat everything later. Disassembly instructions:

1. Turn off the laptop completely and disconnect its power cord.
2. Remove the battery from the bottom of the case. This is done using special latches that hold the battery in the connected position.
3. Now you need to turn the device over (after closing it) and unscrew all the bots to which the bottom cover is attached. The bolts can be collected in a bottle cap or other container so that they do not get lost.
4. Now you need to remove the cover. Immediately below it is the hard drive and optical drive; they need to be disconnected and put aside.
5. After this, you should disconnect the cables that block the path to the processor and video card. They must have fans installed with bolts. To clean or replace, simply unscrew the fan and disconnect the wire.
6. After completing all the manipulations, you need to assemble the laptop by repeating all the steps in reverse order.