PC fan revving when idle (Windows 10)

[JoseBalow]

4. I pasted the OP subject and text into ChatGPT

You said:

PC fan revving when idle (Windows 10)

I have Windows 10 installed and have experienced this issue since an update in Spring 2024. The damn fan revs for no apparent reason when the PC is idle and much less when engaged in a resource intensive game or other app. Any ideas on this?

I should note that I have checked the fan and have cleaned it and it seems to be working properly.

ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT

It sounds like your system may be encountering some issues related to power management, background processes, or even drivers that might have been affected by the Spring 2024 update. Here are a few steps to help diagnose and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Check Task Manager for Background Processes

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and check the Processes tab to see if any background processes or apps are using excessive CPU or memory, even when the PC is idle. High CPU usage from certain processes can cause the fan to rev up.
You can also use the Performance tab to monitor CPU and memory usage.

2. Update Drivers

It's possible that your system's drivers, especially those related to power management or the CPU, might have been affected by the update. Check the following:
Device Manager (Right-click Start and select Device Manager) and check for any outdated or problematic drivers, particularly for graphics, chipset, and power management.
Visit the manufacturer's website for your motherboard, GPU, and any other components to download the latest drivers.

3. Check Power Settings

Go to Control Panel > Power Options and ensure you have an appropriate power plan selected (e.g., Balanced or Power Saver).
Check the Advanced Power Settings and ensure that settings related to CPU power management are set to optimal values. For example:
Set Processor Power Management to Adaptive or Balanced.
Make sure System Cooling Policy is set to Active.

4. System Performance & Reliability

Open Reliability Monitor (search for "Reliability Monitor" in the Start menu) and check for any system warnings or errors that might correlate with the fan revving issue.
If you notice something suspicious, you could try to address the underlying issue, such as updating software or rolling back certain updates.

5. Check for Malicious Software

Sometimes, malware or unwanted programs can run in the background and cause strange system behavior. Run a full system scan using Windows Defender or another reputable antivirus program to rule out any potential threats.

6. BIOS/UEFI Settings

Sometimes, BIOS/UEFI settings can influence the fan behavior. Check for any fan control settings in the BIOS, and ensure that the system is set to regulate fan speed based on temperature.

7. Revert or Uninstall the Update (If Possible)

If the fan issue started after the Spring 2024 update, it's possible that the update introduced a bug or incompatible driver. You can try rolling back the update if it’s causing issues:
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View Update History, and check if you can uninstall recent updates.
You can also try using System Restore (if enabled) to roll back to a point before the update.

If these steps don't resolve the issue, it might be worth looking into more advanced settings related to CPU throttling or even using third-party software to control fan speeds more directly. Let me know how it goes!


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