Case fans are reported to have multiple issues from time to time. Users often report situations related to case fans that cause trouble running their PCs. There can be times when the case fan is not spinning, but its light works. In such a case, you need to follow a few troubleshooting methods.
Key Takeaways
- The issue is linked to the power supply being unable to give the fan enough voltage to spin.
- You can fix the issue by updating the PC, checking the fan motor, checking the PWM signal, checking the power supply, reattaching loose cables, and cleaning the fan bearings.
- The fan should have its speed set according to its size in the BIOS for optimal spinning.
Why Is The Case Fan Not Spinning But Light Works?
The case fan is not spinning; however, its light is still working, an issue linked to the PC’s power supply. The power supply can supply enough power to the light. However, it cannot give the fan the right voltage to spin.
Let’s dive deeper into what might prevent the power supply from providing the fan its required voltage. Here’s what the Tech4Gamers team found out after some thorough research on the matter.
- There is a chance that there is a bug in the system or your firmware is outdated. This will prevent the fan from spinning even if the light is on.
- Extremely clogged fan bearings. There might be an insane amount of dust, debris, and substances that may have wholly held back the fan bearing from spinning.
- Any incorrect changes to the BIOS settings will prevent the case fan from either spinning or may kill its speed.
- The PMW (Pulse Width Modulation) header the fan’s motor is connected to may not be able to provide it with the right signals.
- The cable of the fan might not be correctly connected.
- There might be a chance of an underlying issue in the fan’s motor.
- Last but not least, the power supply itself may be the culprit. It may have an issue preventing it from supplying the fan the voltage it requires to spin.
Fixes For Case Fan Not Spinning But Light Works
Don’t worry about your case fan not spinning. I have collected a number of effective fixes that will hopefully work out for you and fix your problem. Here are some of the fixes you can try to eliminate the problem.
- Power cycle your PC.
- Update your PC.
- Clean your fans.
- Check for insufficient power supply.
- Check for loose cables inside the PC case.
Now, we’ll head on to the more detailed methods, which include:
- Checking The Fan Motor
- Checking The PWM Signal
- Fixing The BIOS Settings
Check The Fan Motor
In this fix, you must connect your fan connector to another header on the motherboard. If you see the fan not spinning, the issue is most likely with the fan motor. Once you are sure the motor is the issue, you may have to replace the case fan with a new one. However, if the fan spins on the other header, there might be an issue where the fan is connected to the previous header.
Check The PWM Signal
If the motor works with PWM, you may have to check whether it’s sending the correct signals by connecting the fan to another PWM header on the motherboard. If the fan starts spinning once you connect it to another PWM header, then there may be an issue with the PWM header the fan was previously connected to.
Fix The BIOS Settings
The BIOS may have fan speeds that may prevent the fan from spinning. This will cause the light to work even if the case fan isn’t spinning.
Here’s how you can adjust fan speed through BIOS.
- Restart your PC.
- Press the following keys based on the motherboard manufacturer of your PC:
HP: Esc or F10.
Dell: F2 or F12.
Acer: F2 or Del.
ASUS: F2 or Del.
Lenovo: F1, F2, or Fn+F2 - Once you enter your BIOS, navigate through it to find the fan speed controls. You’ll likely find them under the ‘Hardware Monitor,’ ‘Power,’ or ‘Advanced’ section.
- Adjust the RPM of your fan according to its size.
- Press F10 once you are done making the changes to save them.
Related: How To Reset BIOS Without Display
Frequently Asked Questions
This issue is most likely linked to the PSU of your PC having an underlying issue or other connection problems preventing the fan from getting the voltage it needs to spin.
Yes! You need to make sure your case fans are working ASAP. It is essential for your PC to have a cooling system so that it doesn’t heat up and damage its components.
Unfortunately, in this case, you will have to get yourself a new case fan. There isn’t much that you can do to fix this issue.
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[How To Guides Specialist]
Dayan Shahid is a skilled mechanical engineer passionate about technology. With certifications in various programming languages and subjects ranging from microcontrollers to aerial robotics, Dayan can effortlessly present complex technical topics in an engaging way. His ability to bridge the gap between theory and practical applications sets him apart as he continues to inspire others through their insightful content.
