Squealing Noise In Graphic Card Repaired
A customer brought in a HP Pavillion computer with the complaint of a strange squealing noise on start-up, which eventually disappeared as the computer warmed up. After confirming the customer’s complaint, I believed that it would be from a cooling fan.
However, when I checked all the fans that I could see, I couldn’t detect any noise. I used a hose next to my ear to try and isolate the noise. I was sure I was missing something.
I even moved my hose over to the power supply fan, without hearing any squealing noise. However, after some further searching, I found the culprit.
The graphics card fan was creating a squealing noise but could be quickly stopped by the touch of a finger.
Removing the graphics card made access to the fan easier.
After removal of the fan, it was disassembled by pulling upward on the blade.
After close inspection, a slight scraping mark could be seen on the field magnet.
I believe this might have been due to dust build up. After cleaning dust and debris from the shaft & bushing, a light oil was added to the bush and after refitting the fan to the shaft, the fan was spinning freely.
Before reassembling the graphics card onto the board, I blew out the entire computer with compressed air. The graphics card was now reinstalled back into its slot in the motherboard. Testing the operation of all fans proved that the fault had be rectified.
I handed back the computer to a happy customer.
This article was prepared for you by Mark Rabone from Australia.
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Note: You can check out his previous repair article on Blown Up Projecta Battery Charger Repaired
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Tree
August 16, 2025 at 6:12 pm
Good job sir.
Mark
August 17, 2025 at 2:11 pm
Thank you
Waleed Rishmawi
August 16, 2025 at 7:29 pm
very interesting to use a hose to listen to the squealing sound in a rotating fan. I should give it a try when dealing with such issue. thanks for sharing and have a blessed day
Mark
August 17, 2025 at 2:12 pm
I use this method frequently to find bearing noises etc in automotive situations
Albert van Bemmelen
August 16, 2025 at 7:34 pm
From experience I know that dismantling a cooler Fan is never easy risking damaging shaft, the electronics board or breaking the fan blades. Glad that you have been able to fix the noise problem with ease!
Mark
August 17, 2025 at 2:13 pm
Yes, it can be risky, but lifting with even pressure around the fan usually gets it off without damage.
Parasuraman S
August 16, 2025 at 8:49 pm
It was a fantastic job there, dear Mark! Thanks for sharing! Using a hose like a stethoscope is something new and an out of the box thinking! I am still scary to handle laptops and do it only if there is no other go!
Mark
August 17, 2025 at 2:15 pm
As I previously mentioned, I do this regularly in the automotive field, so feel confident using this technique.
Mohamed
August 17, 2025 at 1:53 am
Well done sir! Thanks for sharing.
Mark
August 17, 2025 at 2:15 pm
Thanks for your comment.
Mark J
August 17, 2025 at 8:05 am
Mark Thank you for sharing. I would never thought of using a hose to isolate a noise problem.
Mark
August 17, 2025 at 2:22 pm
There are many other ways to isolate a noise that we use in the automotive field, such as a vibration sensor, a screwdriver or a hose.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shRbQTlvXwk
https://youtu.be/u-TOt-RU08w?si=RLWb0tazimrD5cwV
Yogesh Panchal
August 17, 2025 at 10:41 pm
Good Job! Mark,
Take care when blowing the dust inside the work area,initial dust allergy is taking long period of time to trigger but when it is got trigger you get caught in its clutches, there is no cure for it.only cure is to stay away from it and it is not possible because most of technicians does not have second source of income.better to take precaution by wearing face mask.