Fan loud on HP G62

[jmt356]

I'm not sure if this is a new problem, or whether it's always been around but I just never noticed, but the fan on my HP G62 laptop seems to be quite loud. It doesn't sound very good--it's like a low bass drone. If I record it, can I post the MP3 to this lounge?

Maybe it's normal and has always been like that, but I think it's more recent.

Is it dirty? Should I clean it? Or is something else wrong with it?

I also think it's on all the time, but again I'm not sure but will be monitoring to see if it ever shuts up.

[tedshemyers]

Laptops are a little more difficult to clean. I would first make a complete Image of your system using a good Imaging app. A Google searchshows various sites with suggestions on cleaning your laptop fan. Good luck!

[jmt356]

Thanks Ted.

As I mentioned earlier “I also think [the fan is] on all the time, but again I'm not sure but will be monitoring to see if it ever shuts up.”

I noticed today that the fan seems much quieter. It’s a smooth sound. Maybe it’s that the fan turned off; or it could be that the fan is running but that ticking, low bass drone that I complained about earlier was something else …

I’ll keep monitoring and then post again.

[StuartR]

Typically when the fan on a laptop seems noisy and seems to be on all the time, it is because the air vents have become clogged.

I usually disassemble the laptop to clear out the vents, but you may need specialist tools and knowledge to do this. Often you can get a major improvement by removing all power from the laptop and using a can of compressed air from outside the vents. See this article on the HP web site for instructions.

[Leif]

If I record it, can I post the MP3 to this lounge?

You could - but it would not necessarily prove anything. If I turn the volume down on my pc, it'll seem quite quiet to me

Have you changed the surface you work on? The fan noise might be the same resonant frequency as your table top - unlikely but possible. Does it seem quieter if you pick it up?

[jmt356]

The sound is like a deep bass drone. I can tell it's coming from the fan area, not from the surface. I work on a sturdy table surface and a sturdy shelf; both surfaces give it the same sound.

The sound is intermittent and relatively rare. I heard it myabe once every three days since last posting. It comes on in the morning when I first turn on the laptop. When the G62 is first taken out of hibernate mode, it puffs a lot of air for about 15 seconds and then becomes quiet. Occasionally, this rattling bass sound comes out of the fan area as well. It's not the sound of the high powered fan pushing out a noticeable air stream when I first turn on. It's something else. I found that the sound usually goes away when I put the computer to sleep and then wake it up again.

I called the repair shop to take a look at it. They say they can't diagnose it without seeing it; for all they know, it could be loud memory. But I know if I take it to them, the buzzing won't happen. It happens rarely, and then usually stop when I put the laptop to sleep and rewake it.

Stuart, based on this, do you still suggest the compressed air idea?

[StuartR]

...Stuart, based on this, do you still suggest the compressed air idea?

Even if it doesn't cure this noise it will help to prevent the build up of fluff which can cause overheating.

[Leif]

It comes on in the morning when I first turn on the laptop.

I think it is fairly normal for the fan to start at high speed when a laptop is first switched on - mine certainly does.

I found that the sound usually goes away when I put the computer to sleep and then wake it up again.

Do you mean putting it to sleep and wakening it cures it? - or the noise disappears only when it is asleep? I would expect the latter as the laptop has in effect powered down.

I beginning to wonder if it may be a bearing in the fan wearing out.

[jmt356]

The noise completely disappears when the laptop is put to sleep. Upon waking it up, the fan puffs real loud, and then usually calms down and the ticking bass that was droning before I put it to sleep goes away. However, I found once or twice that the drone continues even after I wake it up.

On the one hand, it sounds like there is some piece of paper flapping in there or hitting the fan lightly as it spins. On the other hand, if this were the case, I don't think it would be sounding intermittently; it would be consistently flapping whenever the fan was on.

I bought the computer only 4 months ago; I would be surprised if a bearing in hte fan were already wearing out.

[Leif]

I bought the computer only 4 months ago;

Is it not under warranty then? - I would take it up with whoever sold it to you.

[jmt356]

It is under warranty. But this is what is going to happen: I will take it to them, turn it on, the fan won't make the ticking sound (it only makes it about 5% of the time, so there's a 95% chance it won't make the sound), they will say everything is fine or otherwise they will say they have to keep it for their minimum 2 week processing time, which means I will be left without a computer for 2 weeks and can't use my spare until I get its hard drive replaced, and I can't do it until the summer ...

[Bigaldoc]

Sounds to me like you just "closed" the thread.