The computer's fan plays a vital role in maintaining a stable and safe operating temperature by facilitating air circulation. The fan's speed adjusts accordingly to the temperature of the CPU/GPU. During resource-intensive tasks such as gaming, video editing, file conversion, or extensive data processing, the CPU/GPU temperature may rise, causing the fan to accelerate and allow more cool air to pass through the cooling module to achieve effective cooling. Consequently, you may notice an increase in fan noise.
If the airflow is obstructed due to dust, hair, or foreign objects blocking the ventilation holes or fan, your computer's performance may be affected by overheating. If you encounter issues such as the fan not spinning, consistently high fan speed, or noticeable noise, please refer to the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article.
Note: If the computer temperature does not exceed the fan activation threshold, the fan will not operate.
Common causes of cooling [fan] issues leading to overheating in a computer include:
- Abnormal programs consuming CPU/memory resources
- Accumulation of dust inside the computer or at the exhaust vents
- Inadequate environmental conditions
- Fan wear and reduced speed due to prolonged usage
Please follow the corresponding instructions based on your current Windows operating system version:
Windows 11 operating system
Update the BIOS, Windows packages, and drivers to the latest version on your computer
Software updates generally contribute to system stability and optimization, so it is recommended to regularly ensure that your device is using the latest versions. Learn more about updating the BIOS:
How to update the BIOS version in Windows system
How to use EZ Flash to update the BIOS version
[For desktop computers, refer to ASUS Motherboard EZ Flash 3 introduction.]
Learn more about updating Windows Update and drivers:
How to execute Windows Update
How to update drivers via customer support in MyASUS
If you have updated the BIOS, Windows packages, and drivers to the latest version, but the issue persists, please proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
Select the appropriate Fan mode
Most models allow users to adjust the fan mode via MyASUS to achieve a balance between performance and machine temperature under different workloads.
Note: For gaming computers [ROG/TUF series], please refer to the Armoury Crate introduction for fan adjustment.
Note: For ProArt series, please refer to the ProArt Creator Hub introduction for fan adjustment.
- Type and search [MyASUS] in the Windows search bar①, then click on [Open]②.
If you are unable to find MyASUS, it means that it may not be installed on your computer. Please refer to How to install MyASUS.
- In the MyASUS window, click on [Customization]③.
Note: If the 'Customization' page is not displayed in the MyASUS software on your computer, it means that your computer does not support this feature. Learn more about Why can I only see the partial features in the MyASUS app.
- Locate [ASUS Intelligent Performance Technology]④, and choose the appropriate mode based on your computer usage scenario. Learn more about MyASUS Customization introduction.
Note: Some models may not display 'ASUS Smart Performance Technology' but instead show 'Fan Mode.'
Note: Available modes may vary depending on the model.
- If the issue persists, please proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
Utilize the task manager to examine CPU/memory resource utilization for any abnormal processes.
When your computer runs resource-intensive programs such as games, video editing, conversions, or heavy data computations, the CPU/GPU temperature rises, and the fan simultaneously increases its rotational speed to enhance heat dissipation. The task manager in the Windows operating system is a tool for managing applications and processes, allowing you to view current processes and provide information on computer performance utilization.
You can inspect the CPU or memory usage of applications by viewing the task manager to determine if they exceed expectations. Here you can learn more about How to utilizing Task Manager to access computer performance and terminate irregular processes. If the issue persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
Maintain ventilation for the air vents
In environments with a significant amount of dust, hair, or smoking habits, tar from cigarettes can accumulate on the fan blades and heat sinks. This oily substance is more prone to attracting dust and hair.
If the air vents become blocked, it will affect the fan's operation, thereby preventing the device from achieving optimal performance.
If excessive heat buildup occurs due to accumulated dust, it is advisable to contact the ASUS customer service center.
Do not attempt to clean it yourself using powerful airflow devices such as an air compressor, as there have been cases where excessive air pressure damaged the fan blades.
If you wish to perform cleaning yourself, it is recommended to use commercially available compressed air cans, maintaining a certain distance from the vent, and avoid inverting the can while using it.
Note: When cleaning, make sure to turn off the computer and disconnect the power cord.
Ensure ventilation for the openings on the chassis, and refer to the diagram below for the position of the exhaust vents.
For Laptops, the exhaust vents are typically located on both sides:
Some models adopt a concealed exhaust vent design [e.g., UX series] where the exhaust vent is not on the sides of the laptop but rather at the hinge of the laptop screen, as indicated by the red box in the diagram below.
Note: A few models [e.g., T100 series] use passive cooling with the heat dissipated through the chassis, without a fan or exhaust vent. Therefore, this cleaning method does not apply.
For All-in-One PCs, the exhaust vents are usually located at the top and bottom:
For Desktop computers, the exhaust vents are typically found on the front panel, rear panel, top, and sides:
The power supply unit of desktop computers also has a fan.
If the issue persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
Ensure proper ventilation space
Ensure that the computer's fans can rotate and ventilate properly:
Use the computer within an ambient temperature range of 5°C to 35°C [41°F to 95°F] [refer to the safety instructions and usage precautions in the User Manual].
Place the computer on a firm and flat surface, such as a desk or table, to avoid using it on soft surfaces like sofas, pillows, or beds.
Do not block the computer's ventilation holes and maintain a certain distance around all vents to avoid poor heat dissipation and system overheating.
If using a laptop, you can also use a cooling pad or stand to elevate the laptop, preventing direct contact with the surface.
If the issue persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
Perform Fan hardware diagnostic using MyASUS
Execute hardware diagnostics via MyASUS to check for any abnormalities. If any issues are detected during the diagnostics, it is recommended to visit an ASUS service center for replacement.
- Type and search [MyASUS] in the Windows search bar①, then click on [Open]②.
If you cannot find MyASUS, it may not be installed on your computer. Please refer to the instructions on How to install MyASUS.
- In the MyASUS window, click on [Customer Support]③.
- In the [System Diagnosis] section④, check the [Fan] item⑤ under hardware diagnostics and click on [Checkup]⑥. Learn more about the MyASUS System Diagnosis Introduction.
Note: If the System Diagnostics page does not appear in your MyASUS software, it means that your computer does not support this function. Learn more about Why can I only see the partial features in the MyASUS app.
If any issues are detected, it is recommended to visit an ASUS service center for replacement. You can refer to this article on How to use Customer Support to contact ASUS for further repair-related matters. If the "Hardware Diagnosis" results show no problems, it indicates that your hardware devices are functioning normally.
Q&A
Q1: Why does my computer's fan continue to run when it enters sleep mode?
A1: In sleep mode, the CPU and GPU are still operational, so if the machine's temperature remains high, the fan will continue running to dissipate heat until it is cooled down. If you wish to turn off the fan, it is recommended to put your computer into hibernation mode, where the CPU and GPU stop functioning. Learn more about Three ways to turn computer off - Shut down, Sleep, and Hibernate.
Q2: Why doesn't my computer's fan spin when it is idle or under light load?
A2: Depending on the fan operation design of each model, the fan will not spin until the system temperature reaches a certain level in order to achieve energy-saving efficiency.
Note: For certain models of commercial desktop computers and gaming desktop computers, if you want the fan to continue spinning under light load to help lower the system temperature, you can choose the fan mode to restore continuous fan operation.
For Commercial desktop computers, please change the fan mode in MyASUS to "Performance Mode."
For Gaming desktop computers, please change the Operating mode in Armoury Crate to "Turbo."
If you use third-party software to measure your computer's temperature, please remember that these software tools do not measure the chassis temperature, and the chassis temperature is much lower than the internal temperature. Please refrain from using third-party software to diagnose potential hardware issues.
If your issue remains unresolved, please contact the ASUS customer service center for further assistance.