One of the most encountered fan issues in Dell laptops is when Windows is turned off, and the fan is still whirring, consuming battery and making noise in the process. This indicates possible damage to the system. So what should you do if your Dell laptop stays on all the time?
If any of these are your questions right now, in this article, you’ll find a lasting solution, whether your laptop fan makes a lot of noise during use or it just doesn’t turn off after Windows is shut down.
Can you turn off your laptop fan?
Turning off your loud laptop fan is not recommended during use. It may damage internal components like the battery and motherboard. However, if your laptop fan is constantly noisy during use, there are ways to fix it.
However, if you switched off Windows and noticed the fan is still running, you may manually turn it off.
How to switch off Dell laptop fan
There are a couple of ways to turn off your laptop fan. One of these is by adjusting the setting in the System Cooling Policy.
1. Start by clicking Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options.
2. Click on Select a power plan or Create a power plan and then Change plan settings.
3. Next, click on Change advanced power setting.
4. Click on Processor Power Management and then System Cooling Policy.
5. Next, change the On Battery option and the Plugged In option to Passive.
6. Save your setting, restart your computer, and the fan should start working normally.
Dealing with a constantly running fan
Stricter laws apply inside a laptop than inside a PC case. Laptop parts are particularly small and crowded together; This results in more heat development, which demands maximum performance from the fan. However, the laptop fan should not constantly run either; it indicates that the system is overheating.
Dell laptop fan keeps running: causes and remedies
You don’t need a special diagnostic tool to determine that your laptop fan is constantly running – the noise is usually clearly audible. The most common reason for continuous operation is dust blocking the air vents.
How to fix it
Tip 1: Clean the ventilation slots
Because the fans that cool the laptop are constantly sucking in air, dust will also get into the vents over time. The more dust, the weaker the air circulation. The fan must therefore work harder to bring about the required cooling effect.
How to clean the ventilation
- Turn off the laptop and remove the power cord and battery.
- Take the vacuum cleaner and set it to a low level.
- Then carefully vacuum the air vents.
If that’s too risky, you can try to blow the dust out with compressed air spray.
Tip 2: Make the laptop fans quieter with software
SpeedFan for Windows allows you to control the fans on some models yourself. You can adjust the speed and the volume in this way.
Caution: Turning the fan speed down may not cool your laptop sufficiently. Constant overheating can have a negative impact on the lifespan of the device.
Tip 3: Adjust processor power management
1. From the Control Panel, select Power Options.
2. Then click on “Additional power settings” and “Change power plan settings. “
3. Go to the “Change advanced power settings” menu.
4. Look for the “Processor Power Management” list and open the “Processor Maximum Performance State “path.
Choose between 50 and 75%. Depending on the device, you may have to play around with the values to find the right setting. After adjusting the value, your laptop will no longer work at maximum performance but will consume less power and no longer need to be cooled.
Consequently, the fan is quieter. If you are running labor-intensive programs, it is best to increase the value.
Tip 4: Use an additional cooler
Whether it’s a cooling pad or a high-performance cooler, such gadgets can help prevent the laptop from overheating. Cooling pads consist of a base with additional fans embedded to cool the computer. On the other hand, so-called high-performance coolers direct the warm air away from the laptop faster.
Tip 5: Look for malware
Malicious software may be running on your laptop, causing high CPU utilization. In this case, the laptop’s cooling would have to work harder to dissipate the heat generated. Either way, investing in antivirus software is worth it.
Tip 6: Close unused programs
Does the fan also run at full speed when the computer has nothing to do? Does the fan also rage if you let the machine wait a few minutes in the BIOS settings or don’t log in to the login screen for a few minutes? It could be that some program is running that keeps the CPU busy and thus heats the processor, which in turn tries to counteract this with intensive ventilation.
Open the task manager or the activity monitor and close all programs you do not need. This reduces the load on the CPU, and the fan has to do less cooling work.
If the ventilation starts before any program can run, it is probably a hardware problem. Otherwise, it could indicate a program running in the background that keeps the computer busy.
Tip 7: Only use the laptop on the table
For the laptop fan to work optimally, it should be placed on a smooth, level surface for the laptop fan to work optimally. For example, if you put the laptop on your lap or place it on a blanket, the ventilation slots will be blocked, and the cooling cannot work correctly. As a result, the laptop will eventually get too hot. If you want to work with the computer on the couch, you should get a pad.
Tip 8: Have the laptop cleaned
If none of the above methods help, you should consider a check-up with a specialist. They can check the laptop for damage and, if necessary, carry out professional cleaning of the device. If you tamper with the computer on your own, you will lose any warranty claims and may even cause damage. If you still want to clean the laptop on your own, you should have its operating instructions at hand. This can be found quickly on the Internet for most models.
Conclusion
Dust can accumulate in the fan house over time and impair heat dissipation. In return, the fan has to work continuously to regulate the temperature. This is why your laptop fan could constantly be running. You can temporarily fix it in the Power Options path, but hardware maintenance is essential.
