A common error message that can appear when booting up a Windows desktop or laptop is the Central Processing Unit (CPU) fan error. Typically, the warning appears after a computer has automatically shut down because of overheating. It might occur if the fan (or fans) are unable to adequately cool the hardware. Although annoying, the CPU error message and the forced shutdown show that the computer’s security measures are effective. Hardware components may become permanently damaged if the computer continues to overheat while the fans aren’t functioning.
A CPU fan may not be functioning at its best for a variety of reasons. Even if the fan is partially on, you will experience slow fan speed, which will eventually result in the same issues down the road. The CPU fan is usually physically damaged, which results in the error. It may also involve damaged cables that result in an inefficient power supply or damaged fan blades that reduce airflow. In addition to that, there are a few other causes of CPU fan errors.
Numerous users have encountered this problem as a result of incorrect BIOS settings or, in the case of laptops, issues with built-in fan control software. Another explanation for the sudden temperature increase is the presence of dust and dirt residue inside the system, which seriously impairs the rate of heat exchange. Lack of open space around your computer can result in airflow obstruction, which can lead to issues with CPU fans. We have mentioned ways below to Fix a CPU Fan Error,
5 Ways to Fix CPU Fan Error
Set CPU Fan Speed Lower Limit
- Open the BIOS by pressing F1, F10 or the Del key at startup.
- Navigate to the CPU fan settings under Advanced Settings. (This section may vary depending on your motherboard model).
- Locate the setting that controls the CPU fan speed alerts. The default value should be 600 RPM (Revolutions Per Minute).
- Decrease the default value to 300 RPM to 450 RPM and save the changes.
- Exit the BIOS and boot the system.
Check fan Settings in Your BIOS
- Open BIOS
- Select Advanced Settings.
- Select Hardware Monitor.
- There you will see the CPU Fan option.
- Activate Active Heat Sink and Fan Duct with Fan.
- Disable Passive Heat Sink and Fan Duct without Fan.
- Save your changes and exit the BIOS.
Check the CPU fan and its position
As mentioned earlier, physical errors with the CPU fan can also cause the problem. Therefore, it may be helpful to check the CPU and its position.
- If the CPU fan is loose or has fallen off, you will need to reattach the fans with a screwdriver or glue depending on the fan model. When checking the inside of the electrical device, make sure it is completely turned off (not going into sleep mode) and disconnected from the power source.
- If you install the CPU fan yourself, make sure the position is correct. It should be connected to the CPU header on the motherboard. The CPU header may be labeled “CPU Fan”, but if not, you can easily find the three holes (three-pin connector for the fan) as well.
- If you install the fan in a different location, it will run when you turn on the computer, but the fan will not be able to cool the CPU sufficiently.
Reconnect the CPU fan
There are several CUP fan connectors on the motherboard of the computer, so you can connect several different types of fans at the same time. Moreover, you can also connect these different fan types to other computer components. Therefore, you probably plugged the fan into a wrong connector.
Clean CPU Fan & Air Vents
- Turn off the computer/Laptop and disconnect it completely from the power source.
- Remove the side cover and set it safely aside. Make sure the fans have stopped completely before reaching into the computer.
- Clean the fan inlets and all fin surfaces with a compressed air bottle. Use short bursts of air.
- Clean the fan inlets by removing any accumulated dust that prevents fresh airflow into the computer.
- Once the fan is clean, replace the side cover and restart the PC to see if the fan error is resolved.
What is CPU Fan
Your computer’s central processing units, or CPUs, are its “brains.” The main component that performs the computation necessary for your computer to function is the CPU. This is accomplished by using electricity, some of which is later transformed into heat. Calculations will fail if the CPU becomes too hot because its internal circuits will no longer be able to properly conduct electricity. In extreme circumstances, the CPU may become so hot that it will damage those delicate electronic components.
The CPU has a head spreader, a metal plate that touches the CPU on one side and exposes its opposite side to the outside world, to help combat this. The heat spreader is covered with a heatsink, which is typically made of copper and aluminium. A thin coating of thermal paste separates them, filling any potential air spaces between the two metal faces. Heat is transferred from the CPU to the heatsink via the heat spreader. The next step is to cool the heatsink itself. Air is typically moved through the heatsink’s fins to accomplish this with an attached fan.
Role of CPU Fans
The thermodynamic principle of convection is used to cool the CPU, which has a fan mounted directly on top of it. Cooler air replaces the warm air as the fan spins, dissipating the heat coming off the CPU. The CPU is kept within a safe operating temperature by repeating this cycle. Your computer will quickly overheat if the CPU fan is broken, ineffective, or unable to transfer heat away from the CPU in a sufficient manner. Behind the scenes, Windows BIOS/UEFI continuously checks the temperature of your CPU.
Most Central Processing Units function without problems between 30 and 50 degrees Celsius (86 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit). However, once a CPU begins operating above 50 degrees Celsius for protracted periods, damage to the hardware components is to be expected. When temperatures reach a critical point, your computer will shut down automatically to safeguard these components.
Final Words
That’s it with our article on How to fix Disk Errors in Windows. If the problems still resides and you are not able to fix the problem by following the above steps the new one can go to their official Microsoft Soppurt website and ask for more. The message “CPU Fan Error Press F1 to Resume” is one of the errors that a PC user might run into when the system boots up.
This is how the BIOS notifies the user of any detected errors during diagnostic tests when the computer is just starting up. The error is linked to the CPU cooler, as you can infer from the message (fan). By pressing F1, you can start the operating system and ignore the error, but doing so is not really advised. The CPU may overheat while operating if the CPU Fan Error Press F1 is not fixed in a timely manner, which will result in its failure and necessitate its replacement.
I hope you understand this article, How to Fix CPU Fan Error on Window.
