Fan making grinding noise

Is this a desktop or laptop computer?

Its possible your system fan might need cleaning.

What is the exact make and model?

Open Start, type: system information

Hit Enter

Click System summary

Look in the right pane

Copy the system sku info into reply here.

See example: https://imgur.com/qzektpA

See the section of the following guide how you can open the unit and clean the fan, which might need to be replaced.

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/guide-cleaning...

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

If you're hearing a grinding noise from one (or more) of the fans in your computer, that's a hardware problem. It means one or more of three things:

1- the fan is dirty;

2- the lubrication inside the fan's motor has become dry; or

3- the fan assembly is starting to come apart.

Drivers or other software are not involved nor are they a cure.

This is something you need to fix ASAP. Without the cooling provided by those fans, your computer will quickly overheat and fail.

If you know how to open your computer's case and blow out dust and debris with a can of compressed air, by all means do so , or get someone else to do that. If removing dust and debris eliminates the grinding noise, you are good to go. If the grinding noise persists then you must determine which fan or fans is/are making the noise and replace them.

The cooling fans installed by OEMs (computer manufacturers) are whatever is cheapest this week. If you keep your computer long enough, you'll end up replacing them. (Install something of better quality.)

This is a new HP Envy 360 laptop.  Unless it was defective when I got it, I would think it would not need cleaned or replaced.

Hi rdldn

If your fan is making a grinding noise, that would be an issue with the fan . . .

If your fan is running at top speed, then something on your system s using up CPU or GPU

Open Task Manager (Ctrl +Shift + Del)

Leave that open on the Processes Tab to monitor your system

When your fan is very busy, is your CPU or GPU at a high percentage?

(GPU - depending on your version of Windows 10)

If so, click on the relevant column header, so the arrow faces down

What are the top 5 processes listed?

Hi RDLDN. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

It sounds like a hardware issue if you know the grinding noise is coming from the fan. You can try installing SpeedFan to see if fan has variable speed to set to check how it performs at different speeds. This will help confirm it, maybe even mitigate it.

If it's a desktop they're easy to replace yourself, for a laptop not so much. If you're within a year of purchase the manufacturer covers it with their warranty.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.