How to Replace Dead GPU Fans
Your graphics card is one of the components that works the hardest in your PC when you are gaming or completing tasks that can be GPU accelerated that is why it is important to keep it cool at all times. While not common, dead fans (grinding fans, slower RPM, uneven rotation, etc) on a GPU are an issue that can be solved quite easily.
The moment you have noticed your GPU fans not functioning as intended you need to start preparing for a replacement or a different fix since leaving the issue persist might result in a dead GPU.
A Step-By-Step Guide
The easier fix to dead GPU fans is to de-shroud mod the card – but if you want to maintain a stock look you need to order replacement fans for your card. Assuming you have the replacement fans and a basic screwdriver kit this is what you need to do.
- Take out the screws holding the GPU fans to the heatsink.
- Take out the screws holding in the plastic shroud. If you can take off the shroud first without the fans interfering you can do that first.
- Remove the RGB connector for the shroud and unplug the fans from the PCB. On certain GPUs, you need to take the heatsink off to be able to remove the fan connectors.
- Optional – If you remove the heatsink you might as well change the thermal paste on the GPU and check your thermal pads.
- Remove the faulty fans and plug the new fans into the PCB.
- Retrace your steps by screwing down the fans and the plastic shroud.
- Make sure to connect the fans in their proper PCB slot – the same applies to the RGB lights on your shroud (if you have them).
To make sure you have the correct replacement fans you should use the part number or model found on the back of the faulty fans. You can look them up along with the name of your graphics card. You could also try contacting the card manufacturer to get some replacement fans that you can use.
To make sure the fans work as intended, boot up the PC with the GPU installed and use MSI Afterburner or Fan Control to speed up and slow down the RPM of the fans. Make sure the fans work well at all RPMs without any noises or grinding.
If you do hear any sort of noise check your installation and make sure the shroud/cables do not make contact with the new fans/fan blades. If there is contact you need to take off the shroud and mount the fans again correctly.
If done well you should see a perfectly working fan setup on your GPU with no more high temperatures or noises.