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2.3. CPU Fan Replacement/Remount - Intel Fan

If your PC is overheating, it may need the fan replaced or remounted.  Before attempting to remount or replace the fan, please see articles regarding CPU Overheat Error.  However if these articles did not repair the overheat error, please follow these instructions on whether the fan needs to be remounted (removed and reset onto CPU), or replaced.

Diagnosis to determine whether to replace, or remount the fan

1) Remove side panel, and with power connected and on, check if the fan spins.  If fan does not spin, remove power and check if any wires or other obstacles are blocking path, if so, remove obstacles and retest. 

2) Check to make sure the fan wires are connected correctly and squarely to the CPU_FAN connector (See step 11 for reference).  If not, reconnect and test again.

• If the fan does not spin on its own power, or has bearing screech, it will need to be replaced.
• If the fan does spin on its own power, but PC still overheats, it will need to be remounted.

Replacement / Remounting Procedure

1) Unplug power from rear of PC and remove side panel.

2) Unplug the CPU fan power connector from the motherboard.

3) Locate the four posts that surround the CPU fan.  See below.

4) Turn each post one quarter turn to the left.

5) Lift each post up until it pops.

6) Lift entire fan assembly from motherboard and CPU.

At this point, if you are replacing the fan, please set aside and prepare new fan for installation.

7) Inspect grease on bottom of assembly and top of CPU.  If the grease is dried and crusty, it will need to be replaced.  Otherwise if wet and sticks to the touch, it good to be reused.

8) If remounting the fan, turn all four post one quarter turn to the right until the screwdriver slot points to the center.  See below.

If installing a replacement fan, it should be already pointing towards the center, if not, turn until it appears as below.

9) Place fan assembly on top of the CPU with the white plastic pegs protruding through the motherboard.  You may need to wiggle each one until they go through and sit flush.

The top side of the peg should sit flush on the motherboard like this:

If the white plastic is not sitting flush, but looks like this, the fan assembly will need to be removed, and retried.

 

10) Once all pegs are sitting flush on the motherboard, press the top of the post down until it clicks, and a little "bounce" can be felt.  See below.  These should be applied in a star pattern.

11) Reconnect CPU power connector.

Now that the remounting or replacement is complete, close the side of the PC, reconnect power, and test.

 

DS