How To Fix A CPU Cooler Not Lighting Up? [New Guide 2023]

It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your computer. This will ensure that it is working as efficiently as possible, and if something goes wrong, you’ll be able to fix it quickly. However, many things can go wrong, and you can waste lots of money if you’re not careful.

The CPU cooler is one of the essential parts of the PC; it cools the CPU down and helps it run efficiently. A malfunctioning CPU cooler can even cause severe damage to your system, so it’s essential to know how to repair it.

Here are some quick troubleshooting tips for; how to fix a CPU cooler not lighting up?

Why Is My CPU Cooler Not Working?

It is common to see the error message on the screen saying that “CPU cooler not working.” Most users will experience this error when they try to use their laptops for a long time or even after updating the operating system. There are many reasons behind this error; most of the time, it will happen because of overheating your processor.

Here are the common reasons that make CPU coolers not work.

Overheating of CPU

One of the most common reasons is overheating of the processor. Using the device for a long time will heat up, and the fan will start working very slowly. The computer gets heated up very fast, and the fans can’t keep up with the heat.

Too much dust

The heat is not dissipated correctly, and it accumulates in the processor. When it gets heated up, the processor will work slower, and it will cause a lot of damage to the internal parts of the processor.

The processor gets damaged due to the heat. If you don’t clean the processor, it will get damaged and cause the problem of “The CPU cooler not working.”

Overclocking

Overclocking is the process where you can increase the speed of the processor. But if you improve the speed of the processor, then it will cause the overheating of the processor. When the processor gets heated up, the fan will not work correctly, and it will cause the problem of the “CPU cooler not working.”

How To Fix CPU Cooler Not Lighting Up?

Are you wondering how to fix a CPU cooler not lighting up? Well, this is a common issue that most people are facing, but most of them don’t know what to do. If you are reading this article, you are lucky enough, as discussed in this post, to understand what exactly happens in your computer when the cooling fan isn’t working.

So, how to fix this issue? Here are some effective methods:

Check the SATA cable connector.

Before we talk about this problem, I would like to tell you that you need to check your system BIOS. It is the first thing you must fix if your CPU cooler is not lighting up. The next thing that you need to check is the SATA connector. It is a common problem that when you install the hard drive and insert the SATA connector, the light will not come on.

It would be best to unplug the power cord and then disconnect the SATA cable. If you have the SATA cable connected to your motherboard, it is the next thing you need to do, and you need to pull it out and then plug it back again.

Once you have done this, you should check if the light is on. If it is not lighting up, you need to go to the next step and check if your motherboard is damaged. If it is damaged, then you need to replace it. If it is working fine, you need to look for a different SATA cable compatible with your motherboard.

Check the power supply

Another essential factor that you need to check is the power supply. If you hear a noise while the computer is turned on, the power supply is faulty. If you cannot replace the power supply, contact your local store and get a new one.

Check the fan USB controller and fan OEM

It has been observed that sometimes the motherboard is not getting powered even if the CPU fan is not working. The main reason behind this is the fan USB controller or fan OEM.

So, check whether the fan is plugged in or not. If it is plugged, then check whether the fan is connected correctly. If the fan is not connected, you can fix it by unplugging it and plugging it again.

If you cannot fix it, you can go to the fan website and download the latest firmware. Install it and connect it to the motherboard. If you are unsure about this procedure, you can ask any of your friends who have a motherboard with the same model.

Check the fan power switch

This is the most common problem faced by the users, as most people have installed their motherboard without a proper power supply. And they didn’t realize that it would not work.

So, if you are also facing this problem, you can try fixing it by changing the power supply. If the power supply is unavailable, you can also try to find the original power supply.

Shorting

The shorting problem is very much expected, you might have faced this problem once or twice in your life, but it will be good to check your motherboard and check whether any of the pins of your motherboard is shorted.

Check the case for a damaged fan

You can replace the CPU fan by yourself. First, you must open the back cover and remove the back cover. Then, you can disconnect the power cable from the motherboard. After that, you need to open the box for the fan. After that, you need to remove the fan. Then you need to put in the new fan. Finally, you need to plug in the power cable again.

How Do I Know If My CPU Cooler Is Working

There are several ways to determine whether the cooling is working correctly or not. One of the easiest ways is to check the noise level of the cooling. The fan should operate at a speed of around 1,500 RPM to ensure that the heat is adequately dissipated. If you hear a high noise level, then there is no problem.

Another way is to use a digital multimeter. You can measure the voltage across the thermal pad. Between 0.5 and 2.0 volts is the ideal voltage range for a sound cooling system. If the voltage is lower than this, you have a problem and need to replace the cooling.

Another way to check is to check the power consumption. The power consumption of a cooling system will change when the processor is overheating, and the cooling will consume little power when the processor is not overheating. If the power consumption is greater than 3 watts, then you need to replace the cooling.

Another way is to use the software for monitoring the CPU temperature. Most laptops have built-in software for this purpose. If the temperature is too high, you will get a pop-up message saying that the cooling is not working correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are some of my fans not lighting up?

A central fan controller generally controls the fans on a computer. This may be a hardware device or a software-based program. The fan controller starts working when the computer is switched on and lights up the fans. If you don’t see the lights, then something is wrong with the fan controller. You may need to replace it with a new one, or if that’s not possible, you may need to contact the manufacturer for assistance.

How do I fix my CPU cooler not working?

In most cases, your CPU cooler needs to be removed and cleaned. Cleaning can also improve its efficiency, and it can prevent overheating and damage. If your computer has a motherboard with a fan, you can also clean that and remove any dust buildup to extend its lifespan.

Why are my PC fans not turning on?

A power supply powers PC fans usually plugged near the motherboard. If the power supply is faulty, then it will stop working. To determine if the power supply is defective, you should plug in another one and test it, and it should turn on immediately.

Why are my more extraordinary fans not spinning?

The fans may not be spinning because your compressor has been shut off or your power is out. It may also happen if the air ducts are blocked. Make sure to unblock the air ducts, re-install the air filters, and check the fan blades.

How do you fix a dead CPU fan?

When you see a dead CPU fan, it means that the CPU fan has failed and needs to be replaced. Two common types of quiet CPU fans are bad fan bearings and broken fan motors. It would help if you first tried to check the fan motor itself. You can replace the engine if it’s still in good condition. But if it’s completely broken, you should replace the whole fan.