You’re working late at night and burning the midnight oil to beat a deadline. Then in the middle of your work, a certain noise breaks the silence in your room. Upon investigating, you discover the noise is coming from your PC or Mac computer.
Interestingly, there are many kinds of noises that your computer may generate. Most of the time, these noises say that there is something wrong with your device.
Then you realize that it was your computer fan buzzing. You ask yourself why is my computer fan so loud?
Continue reading below as we break down the mystery behind the loud computer fan and how to deal with it.
Why Is My Computer Fan So Loud? Understanding the Culprit in Macs
A noisy computer that disrupts your concentration at work will make you ask why is my computer fan so loud? Answering this question involves looking at the possible culprits.
However, it is best to answer it depending on the type of computer you are using. If you are a Mac user, Apple explains that fan noise happens when your Mac or other devices are working intensively.
This can happen if you’re playing high-end video games. The same thing goes if you’re running certain applications like HD video editors.
In such cases, the fan works double-time to generate additional airflow. In turn, this helps improve the ventilation inside your device. It keeps the computer from overheating.
However, if the fan is creating substantial noise even if the Mac is not working on intensive tasks, then that can be a sign of an underlying issue.
Sometimes, there is something that blocks the vents of your Mac. The vents work to expel hot air and bring in cool air inside the unit.
Using your Mac on top of certain surfaces can block the vents. These surfaces include your bed, pillow, couch, or even your lap.
How About Loud Fan Noises in Windows PC?
As for your PC’s loud computer fan, the same thing goes if your desktop or laptop is working intensively. However, the environment where you’re using your PC can also be a culprit.
Do you have pets at home? Do you live in a place where the air is dusty? Then these factors will contribute to the inefficiency of the computer fans.
Too much buildup of dust and other contaminants can hinder the fan’s performance.
The same thing goes if your PC or laptop is relatively old. If you cannot remember the last time you cleaned your computer, then it’s likely that several years’ worth of dust is what’s causing the fan to make loud noises.
What You Can Do for Your Mac
Taking your Mac to a trusted computer repair center may be wise, but if you don’t have the luxury of time, you can troubleshoot it first at home. For starters, check the tabs and apps that are currently running on your Mac.
From there, close the ones that you don’t need at the moment. It is common for people to forget to close some apps and tabs that they no longer use. Doing this will lessen the workload of your Mac, as well as its fan.
To check the tabs and apps that you can close, open the Activity Monitor and hit the CPU tab. If you are a Chrome user, expect to see it as one of the leaders in using up a lot of your Mac’s resources.
Since the vents are the main battleground, you need to clear up the sides and back edge of your MacBook. As we mentioned earlier, using your laptop on your bed or pillow can impede proper airflow.
If the fan remains noisy, you may need to open up your Mac and clean the fan. Grab your trusty small Phillips-head screwdriver and unscrew your Mac’s bottom panel.
Thereafter, clean the fan and the vents using compressed air. You can also use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe away the dust and debris that accumulated over the years.
If the noise remains persistent, reset your Mac’s System Management Controller (SMC). Follow these steps for resetting your SMC.
How to Solve Fan Noises in Your PC
In case you’re using a Windows computer, your first line of action is to rule out extensive memory usage. Open your Task Manager and check the current memory consumption. From there, check the apps or programs that are using most of your CPU memory.
The key is to find an app that consumes 100% of your computer’s CPU memory. When you spot such an app, close it immediately. The average load percentage of apps and programs should be between 10% and 20%.
Next, you want to clean your computer’s fan. If you’re not doing it regularly, make it a habit to clean it once a month. Like with the Mac, you want to clean the fan and the vents of your computer.
As for the cleaning materials, use some compressed air. You also need some isopropyl alcohol and a clean, soft cloth for wiping. Additionally, you may use some lubricant or grease on the fans.
This will help reduce the friction that contributes to the noise that you hear.
Last but not least, you need to cool down your computer. Check the room temperature and keep it between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, revisit how you position your laptop or computer. Make sure nothing is blocking the air vents. To increase airflow, try placing a piece of small stick beneath your laptop.
Creating this small elevation will go a long way in improving the air that goes in and out of your laptop.
Let’s Fix Your Faulty Computers, Today
Now that you know the basics behind a loud computer fan, you no longer need to ask “why is my computer fan so loud?” But if the problem persists, then we will gladly extend our assistance.
We offer reliable repairs for Mac, PC, and other devices. Connect with us today and experience top-notch computer repair services. Let’s fix those problems and get your devices up and running again!
