Understanding the CPU Fan Error

Were you surprised when you turned on your PC had something pop up to tell you that you have a CPU fan error? Normally, this error crops up during the BIOS check when your computer is essentially loading the core hardware within your PC.

The exact message that you got could vary, and some of more common CPU fan errors include:

• CPU Fan Error! Press F1 to resume!
• CPU Fan Failure. System will shut down now.

Whatever the message, it should be obvious that you need to do s

omething about it – but first you should come to terms with what this error really means.

“What is a CPU Fan Error?”

To cut a long story short having a CPU fan error appear just means that your system is not getting any information about the status of your fan.

This could be because the fan is malfunctioning and not spinning, but it could also be because there is a connection that is faulty or because the fan that you’re using is not of the standard manufacturing specifications.

Finding out exactly what is causing your CPU fan error is the first step to being able to fix it.

Checking the CPU Fan for a CPU Fan Error

To check the CPU fan you’re going to have to remove the main casing that covers your PC. After that, turn it on and observe what happens.

If you’re getting a fan error but the fan is obviously spinning well – then it is probably a problem with the type of fan that you’re using or the connections leading up to the fan. Turn off the PC and check these connections to make certain they are fastened securely.

Should the problem persist, you can turn the check off within your BIOS settings. Normally the fan check settings are located within the PC Health Status section and disabling it would stop the CPU fan error.

On the other hand if your fan isn’t spinning at all, is making strange grinding noises or is spinning erratically – that just means that your CPU fan is probably near the end of its lifetime.

Assuming this is the case it is important that you replace it as quickly as possible because your CPU fan is what prevents the processor from overheating, and if the processor actually does begin to heat up you’re going to find that you face multiple problems such as system slowdowns, crashes, and even permanent damage to the processor and motherboard itself!

How to Fix a CPU Fan Error

Replacing the CPU fan is a job best done by someone who knows what they’re doing – but if you really want to do it yourself then you need to first identify whether your fan is also attached to a heat sink.

Then you need to buy a replacement that is of a similar type, and figure out how to remove the old fan and install the new one.

Different CPU fans are installed differently – which is why this can be tricky. Still, you should be able to find some decent instructions supplied with your new fan.

Now that you know what a CPU fan error is, you should be able to at very least identify whether or not it is a valid problem or just a false warning. If there really is something with the fan, make sure you act fast and get it fixed!

CPU Fan Error Goals

Learn what a CPU fan error really signifies as well as how you can check and find out whether you need to take steps to fix your fan or not, and how to go about fixing it if necessary.