MacBook Pro Fan Super Loud After Cleaning

[kaaaafrin]

The other day I opened up my MacBook Pro because I had some paper stuck in the SD card reader slot, so I pretty much had to take everything out. Because I was doing that, I decided I might as well clean my fan. I unscrewed it, took it out, and removed two large dust balls, some hair wrapped around the fan, and finished up with a spray from some compressed air. After I put everything backed together to make sure it worked, I noticed that as soon as my computer turned on the fan was very loud, pretty much as loud as it was whenever I'm running a lot of applications or it's getting hot. It has not gotten any quieter, and I'm only running Safari with a couple tabs open. What's strange is that my computer is definitely not overheating, in fact it's much cooler faster than it was before. Any ideas of what the issue could be? Should this warrant another open?

Specs:
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)
Processor 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5
Memory 4 GB 133 MHz DDR3
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 3000 384 MB
Serial Number C02G2BGDRJJ
OS X El Capitan Version 10.11.16

The only thing that's been replaced on it is the cable connecting the hard drive, but that was done two years ago and there were no issues.

 

[pigoo3]

I would opening it up & double check to be sure all wires & connections are connected properly. I also hope you weren't too aggressive with the canned compressed air. Some things inside of a computer can be very delicate...and the velocity of the air coming out of a can of compressed air can be pretty forceful. I'm usually extra careful around computer fans (especially the delicate cooling fans in a laptop). Since when you spray the fan with compressed air is starts to spin...and maybe in some cases spin too fast.

Hopefully it's just a loose wire/connector.

- Nick

 

[kaaaafrin]

Checked inside, and everything seemed connected. Restarted the computer and still loud

I also hope you weren't too aggressive with the canned compressed air. Some things inside of a computer can be very delicate...and the velocity of the air coming out of a can of compressed air can be pretty forceful. I'm usually extra careful around computer fans (especially the delicate cooling fans in a laptop). Since when you spray the fan with compressed air is starts to spin...and maybe in some cases spin too fast.

What could I have done to the fan? Is it possible I might have to replace it?

 

[pm-r]

What could I have done to the fan?

In most cases it would be due to a temperature sensor being disconnected or not sensing the proper temperatures.

In the remote case that some software was involved, you could try doing an SMC Reset.

In the interim you could install the free Macs Fan Control.app which can show the temps of all sensors, and maybe even adjust them:
https://www.crystalidea.com/macs-fan-control




- Patrick
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[badshoehabit]

Could it be that the dust and fluff was dampening the sound of the fan?

 

[pm-r]

Could it be that the dust and fluff was dampening the sound of the fan?

Good point and a good possibility Sue considering what was removed and done:

…and removed two large dust balls, some hair wrapped around the fan, and finished up with a spray from some compressed air.

And that compressed air could sure have sharpened up the fan edges allowing them to grab more air.





- Patrick
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[kaaaafrin]

I tried the Macs Fan Control.app, but it didn't work. Neither did the SMC Reset.

Should I try buying a replacement to see if that will fix the problem?

 

[pigoo3]

Before spending any money on replacement parts...I wouls suggest opening up Activity Monitor...and see if there are any process's that are taking up a lot of CPU resources. This should be expressed as a percent if you're looking at the correct column or clicked on the proper tab.

I always like trying "free" troubleshooting things before spending money (I'm sure many of us prefer this).

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

I tried the Macs Fan Control.app, but it didn't work.

I find that really surprising, assuming it was setup and configured properly.

So, I would consider either a cable has been damaged or disconnected, or that something in the fan that controls its speed is kaput. But I thought they just relied on external input voltage to control the fan speed.

Does the Macs Fan Control.app give and display the current temps and speeds?

Are they showing fairly normal???

It should show something like this, (but it's from a 2007 MBPro 15"):







- Patrick
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[chscag]

So, I would consider either a cable has been damaged or disconnected, or that something in the fan that controls its speed is kaput. But I thought they just relied on external input voltage to control the fan speed.

I thought the Macs Fan Control app relied on the temperature sensor readings? Your first observation about a damaged temperature sensor would certainly then negate any effect the app had to control the fan speed. I don't know too much about the app but do seem to remember it uses the temperature sensors to adjust fan speeds.

 

[pm-r]

I thought the Macs Fan Control app relied on the temperature sensor readings? Your first observation about a damaged temperature sensor would certainly then negate any effect the app had to control the fan speed. I don't know too much about the app but do seem to remember it uses the temperature sensors to adjust fan speeds.

That's what I thought also and it's sure seems to be how it seems to work on all our Macs, as do most other Mac fan speed controllers AFAIK, the odd part to me is why the OP's fan doesn't seem to be responding to the voltage input that I gather the Macs Fan Control.app is supposed to be controlling.

Something's sure not working somewhere, and I don't know what it is!!!

I'm guessing it might help if the OP replied to my question:

Does the Macs Fan Control.app give and display the current temps and speeds?

- Patrick
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[kaaaafrin]

I wouls suggest opening up Activity Monitor...and see if there are any process's that are taking up a lot of CPU resources.

That was the first thing I did as I've had that issue before and was able to solve high fan speeds that way. But currently nothing is taking up a large percentage.

Does the Macs Fan Control.app give and display the current temps and speeds?

The app does not appear to respond or sense the RPM. I tried all of the sensors but there was no change.


It also doesn't respond to manually controlling the speed.

 

[pm-r]

The app does not appear to respond or sense the RPM. I tried all of the sensors but there was no change.
… … …
It also doesn't respond to manually controlling the speed.

That's strange and doesn't make any sense to me.

I'd try contacting the Macs Fan Control.app developer, and he might have some ideas.

Contact Info via here:
https://www.crystalidea.com/?source=fancontrol_mac




- Patrick
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