Why Are Gpu Fans Running at Full Speed? 4 Reasons!

It’s quite frustrating if you have a GPU and its fan is always running at full throttle. Besides, it can also be quite fearsome if the GPU is new.

Don’t worry, the problem is fixable and it’s easy to resolve.

So the question stands, how to fix GPU fans running at full speed?

You have to first identify the reason for your GPU fan running at full speed. A problem 

with the BIOS means you have to update it. A hardware problem means you have to recheck your connection slots. Too much dirt can also cause this, so you have to frequently clean your parts. 

If you are unsure about how to resolve the issues, don’t panic. We will explain the solutions here.

Now let’s get into it.

Why Are GPU Fans Spinning Like That?

Whether the GPU fan is running at full speed or the fan hub is not working, there are reasons. 

Your graphics card fans running at full speed can be really bothersome. At times, the spinning makes a lot of noise and makes you wonder about its health. 

Source: cybersided

The main reasons could be backdated drivers, hardware problems or even fan settings. We are going to look into the reasons and their solutions in detail in this article.

Reason 1: Backdated BIOS Driver

The BIOS is responsible for performing and completing the start-up process. It also checks and configures the hardware. Finally, it finishes the boot procedure by connecting the hardware to the operating system.

So, as you can understand, not updating the BIOS driver will lead to problems. And, your GPU fan speed at max is just one of them.

Solution

Always check the version of your BIOS driver before updating. Also, gather information about your motherboard to avoid getting the wrong one. Because different motherboards have different processes for BIOS updates.

Updating the BIOS can be a lengthy process and you have to be careful with it. The BIOS update process: 

• Open the “Start Menu”.
• Press the “Power” button.
• Click the “Restart” button while holding “Shift”.
• Get into “Troubleshoot”.
• Press on “Advanced Options”.
• Click on “UEFI Firmware Settings”.
• Press the “Restart” button.
• Let the computer boot in BIOS.
• Access BIOS with the designated key which may differ from one motherboard to another.
• Select “BIOS update”. 
• Choose the update file from your flash drive or where you have kept the update file.
• Wait for the update to be complete.

Sometimes, you may have to install your operating system again after the BIOS update.

Reason 2: GPU Driver Not Up to Date

GPU driver updates mainly give us bug fixes and new features to work with. It also deals with security issues related to the GPU. Not updating your GPU driver can cause the occurred problems to stay.

So, not getting speed limiting commands from the GPU can also be one of those bugs. You need to keep your driver up to date to resolve such issues.

Solution

First, identify what GPU you have. Different GPU installation processes differ from one another. 

For Nvidia drivers, you can simply download the GeForce Experience. Open the launcher and log in or create an account. 

After that, you go to the “Drivers” tab. On the right, look for “Updates.” You can update your driver from there. This app also looks for updates automatically and notifies you if there is a new one.

If you don’t want to get updates from the app, you can manually look for updates. The updates are available on the driver page of Nvidia. You can get your desired driver from there and install it.

For AMD users, the driver software for AMD will also search for driver updates automatically. It will also notify the user if a new update has been launched. 

To check updates manually, go to “AMD Radeon Settings”. Press the “Updates” button and then select “Check for updates”. The app will showcase all the updates available. 

Get the recommended update from there and install them.

Reason 3: Hardware Issues

There can be hardware issues inside your computer as well. The GPU may face connectivity problems. The fans may have bent wings or there might be problems with the fan’s bearing. 

Remember, there are also differences in CPU and GPU fans.

The connection problem may lead to the fans not getting speed limitation. This can also cause GPU fan not running at full speed. Let’s check out the solution. 

Solution

Check all the connections on your computer. Then check if the GPU is properly set on its slot or not. If not, then pull the GPU out of the slot and fit it in again.

Also, disconnect and reconnect the GPU power cable to be safe. 

Then test the fans with your fingers by spinning them. If the fans are not spinning like they are supposed to, then change the fans. 

Here are a few GPU fans you can check out:

You can also change the bearings if the problem lies there. 

Reason 4: Improper Fan Settings

Usually, the fans spin after the heat has hit a threshold. 

This function is designed to protect the GPU from overheating. However, it won’t help in fixing the gpu not downclocking issue.

The recent Nvidia GPUs send spinning commands when the graphics card’s temperature reaches 50°C. They stop if the GPU temperature goes down below 30°C.

Solution

If your GPU fans are spinning fast despite not reaching the temperature threshold, check fan settings. MSI Afterburner is a tool to adjust fan settings. 

You can also use your GPU software to access fan settings. From there, you can set a temperature for your fans to turn on. You can also adjust the GPU fan speed from the settings.

Why is one GPU fan running at full speed?

Usually, this happens when one fan is covering up for the other. If one of the fans is not working properly, the other fans will spin faster. Thus, one GPU fan always at full speed. 

The reason could be that the fan has internal problems or the connection has loosened. 

Solution: Check Fan Health

First, check if the fan is facing a connection problem with the GPU. There are times the connection comes loose in some kind of rattling. Plugin the connection properly if that’s the case.

Then check if the wings of the fan have been damaged or not. Damaged wings make fans spin slower. If the wings or the fan itself is damaged then you have to get it changed.

Why is the GPU Fan at Full Speed on Boot?

Another problem you might face is GPU fan full speed on boot. To be frank, most of the time this is not a problem. It is normal for the GPU fans to spin fast when starting up.

A lot of motherboards make the fans spin faster. And some make them spin slower on startup. You could say that this also acts as a check-up for the fans at boot.

When you turn on your computer, BIOS boots up your computer system. So, after you press the power button, the BIOS takes some time to initiate and start functioning. 

In this initial time, the GPU fans can be seen to rotate at maximum speed. This is because there is no command issued by the GPU to maintain the spinning speed. 

The speed comes down after the BIOS has been launched. Additionally, the max speed at start-up helps remove loose specks of dust off the fan. 

FAQ

Why Are Case Fans Running at Full Speed?

The case fans may run at full speed if the plugs are improperly connected. Check if your fan’s 3-pin has been connected to a 4-pin plug. Also, check if it’s running in PWM mode. This will make the fans operate at full capacity. You can change the mode to DC mode to decrease the running speed.

Why is my GPU not being used fully?

If you see that your GPU is not used fully, you may have a driver issue. In that case, you are using your computer’s integrated graphics. You can get driver updates, reinstall the updates or upgrade your CPU to solve the problem. A 3rd party program may also cause this issue.

Is 100% GPU usage a problem?

Running the GPU at 100% is not a problem. Graphics cards are designed to be used at full capacity. This enables the user to have the experience they expect from the GPU. But, running at 100% all the time will wear out the GPU quicker. However, GPU not performing at full capacity in games is also a concern.

Conclusion

We hope we were able to solve your gpu fans running at full speed. The fan’s running speed can be easily solved. 

You have to follow the steps patiently and your fan will be back to normal in no time.

If your problem is still there, maybe it’s time to take it to a professional.

That’s all for now!