Why Is My PSU Fan Not Spinning? – Detailed Explanation Guide

Why Is My PSU Fan Not Spinning, Typically when we see a component with a fan on it, we expect it to be operating constantly. This would be the case for most parts if not for some special exceptions for PSUs that I found during this time of research.

Some PSU fans come with an ECO mode switch that is supposed to keep the PSU fan off until there is a load of a certain percentage, Why Is My PSU Fan Not Spinning at which point it will kick in.

If your PSU fan does not have such a feature and you are using it to power a computer or other device that generates a lot of heat, then this could be considered faulty.

If you have the choice, go for one that has an ECO mode because you can use a smaller coil while the system is idle and let it fill up the coil’s enclosure by spinning faster as soon as there is a load on your PC.

This way you’re getting two coils for the price of one.

Let’s take a look at which PSUs are known for this, so you can find out if your PSU has this, then determine its importance to you personally given the trade-offs and check out some alternatives if it is something that could be reason enough to upgrade your current model.

Why Is My PSU Fan Not Spinning?

Most of the PSUs that we have come across happen to be non-modular ones which is why turning power on and off on a frequent basis can be costly.

Typically, from 30-50% usage if the fan is not already on, it will get turned on during that range.

Once the fans are active, they rely on the fan curve to tell them when they need to go harder and slower.

If the temperature rises, so will your rpm (which is the speed at which your fan will run). When you lower the temperature, so will your rpm.

If you want to use your PSU for this, then be prepared to game a lot or do something else that might put a drain on it.

When the PSU reaches its maximum thermally rated power output, its cooling system turns on to make sure it is properly cooled.

If you are simply browsing the Web or doing some low-intensity task, like listening to music or editing photos, you probably won’t reach the level of processor usage that turns on the fans.

This is found on pricey but quiet high-end PSUs and people usually search for this when trying to make sure the PSU they buy won’t be noisy.

Before you commit to loading up an intense video game before trying it out, Why Is My PSU Fan Not Spinning you should check to make sure this is a feature of your console and that it isn’t damaged or otherwise faulty.

A great way to see if the case is right for a particular PSU is by going to the sales page of that brand’s official website.

For example, if you were looking to discover more about EVGA Super NOVA graphics card and what else it has to offer than you could visit EVGA’s official website.

Here is where you can see what the PSU has and features that it does not have, but usually only if your PSU’s manufacturer is boasting about any of their specs.

For many years, Corsair has been known for being innovative in their PSUs, with newer models offering a digitally controlled fan speed control and even having special badges framing the fans on high-end PSUs.

A faulty PSU can sometimes be indicated by the fans of your PSU not running. Why Is My PSU Fan Not Spinning If this happens, it may be time to consider having a replacement unit installed because it may stop working completely sometime in the near future.

In this case, we recommend you get in touch with your vendor and ask for a replacement PSU, or request a refund and use that money to purchase a new PSU.

Replacing a PSU fan might increase airflow, but if you don’t know what you’re doing it could also cause problems. It’s not something an inexperienced person should attempt to do.

It can also be very dangerous to crack open and modify due to a computer’s delicate nature and the electricity that runs through it.

For your computer cooling system to work without fail, Why Is My PSU Fan Not Spinning you need an adequate flow of air from the case’s fans.

This can lead to your power supply unit being severely overworked and cause it to shut down suddenly. One of the most extreme, but possible results of this is that you could even damage some of the parts in your machine.

So if your fan isn’t spinning, that means there could be several different issues with the appliance. One of these issues may cause the noisy motor and you can either replace or repair it when this happens.

How To Monitor PSU Temps?

Unfortunately, newer generation PSUs are built without a temperature sensor. As a result, the distributor is unable to provide an accurate reading on the device’s internal temperature.

One Corsair PSU known as the AX1600i has a temperature sensor built in for monitoring performance.

AX series is the only series with a temperature sensor that I could find after researching Corsair.

Besides that, Why Is My PSU Fan Not Spinning you really have to go off of feel and off of the shutting down of your PC.

A sure sign that your computer is running too hot is when the computer randomly shuts down, as this is an emergency procedure to let the device cool down before further damage occurs.

If you want to avoid such issues, make sure your hand is placed on the side of your case before unscrewing since it’s easier to have the PSU directly in your reach.

If you feel a lot of hot air coming from where your PSU is located, and it feels irregular, this can mean your PSU is getting too hot.

Unfortunately, sometimes the only way for most people to know for sure is if your PC shuts down.

Why Is My PSU So Hot?

If your laptop’s power supply unit overheats often, it may be because the internal fans are not working properly. Due to the lack of cooling, your PSU will overheat as a result.

If you haven’t experienced a forced shutdown yet, Why Is My PSU Fan Not Spinning you likely will at some point because that is the failsafe to prevent disastrous side effects of the PSU overheating.

Check out your computer’s Power Supply Unit fans the next time it starts up and make sure they are running.

It’s easy to overload a PSU when you don’t have a proper place to put it.

One way is by placing your computer on the carpet which will generally block airflow from escaping your computer case allowing the heat inside to build up increasing the Operating Temperature of your Component.

When you’re using a computer, you should elevate its position to keep the flow of air smooth especially if you are using a tower type power supply unit.

This one has a few potential problems, but the most annoying is that it interrupts the flow of air and prevents cool air from coming in to replace warm air and distribute it more efficiently.

You should not have your PC on a desk or on some kind of hard, flat surface. Why Is My PSU Fan Not Spinning Instead, it’s best to have it in the trash where you will never use it again and can sit there for the rest of eternity.

Also, make sure the PSU vent is facing downwards toward open space outside of the case.

Though you may experience some fluctuation in temperature during the course of your day, outside air temperature will always be roughly 10 to 20 degrees cooler than temperature inside your PC (and virtually any other computer).

This means that a cross breeze fan faces the air to pull air in from behind it.

Ideally, you want your computer’s power supply to blow cold air into the case. Why Is My PSU Fan Not Spinning This will help keep those large boxes in there cool and stop your computer from overheating.

Finally, do not forget to look for your intake fan when trying to determine where hidden dust and grime is coming from.

All cases have a dust filter at the bottom of them in order to prevent dust from getting pulled up into the system.

I have a dust filter on my Fractal case and need to clean it after running my PC for long periods of time.

If this fan is clogged or covered in dust, your PSU may not be able to receive enough airflow and as such be unable to keep itself sufficiently cool.

In serious cases, if the heat becomes too much, it can cause damage to the inner components of your PSU which could easily burn you. Always check fans and clear out any dirt they might have collected before unplugging them.

This can also cause your computer to overheat. The hot exhaust air is trapped inside the computer case unless there are fans set up to draw that air out, in which case it can result in a hot spot where your hands sit while you type on your keyboard.

Conclusion

When buying power supplies, you want to make sure that they should have enough power for the rest of your components. It’s also important to ensure that there’s no unnecessary fan noise or heat being produced.

Some features like you’ll find on EVGA and Corsair power supply units (PSUs) are idle mode. This feature is often found in a PSU model’s advanced settings, Why Is My PSU Fan Not Spinning but it can also be turned off entirely via software if wanted.

When it comes to your computer’s PSU, if you discover that you don’t have this feature on hand, returning it is likely the best option for this as it’s highly likely that overheating may result in its absence.

When you are playing games or putting your computer under heavy load and then testing the voltages with a multimeter, it is quite apparent that not all rails work as hard as others.

There are ways to change out the fans, and there are even guides online for this. Why Is My PSU Fan Not Spinning However, from my research, it’s an option I would never recommend.

If there are faulty or defective parts within your system, they should be eligible for replacement.