Laptop Fan Replacement
Is your laptop making a horrible grinding, buzzing, or rattling noise? Does it sound like a tractor? This usually means the fan bearing has failed. We stock and fit genuine replacement fans for all major laptop brands in Leeds.
Bearing Failures & "Fan Errors"
Laptop fans spin at 3,000 to 5,000 RPM for hours every day. Eventually, the fluid dynamic bearing inside wears out. When this happens, the fan wobbles, hitting the casing and causing that awful grinding noise.
Sometimes, the fan seizes completely. When you turn on your laptop, you might see a black screen saying "System Fan (90B) Not Detected" or "Fan Error", and the system shuts down to protect itself.
Cleaning won't fix a broken bearing. The physical part must be replaced. We supply brand-new, exact-match units that fit perfectly and run whisper-quiet.
Common Fan Symptoms
1. Grinding / Buzzing Noise
This is the physical fins hitting the casing because the central axle is loose. It sounds like a card in bicycle spokes. It will only get worse and eventually destroy the fan housing.
2. High-Pitched Whine
This usually indicates the lubrication inside the bearing has dried up, causing metal-on-metal friction. This friction creates heat, which ironically makes the laptop hotter instead of cooling it.
3. Silence & Heat
If your laptop is roasting hot but completely silent, the fan has died completely. This is dangerous. Do not use the laptop until fixed, as passive cooling is often not enough to prevent CPU damage.
Genuine vs. Fake Fans
The market is flooded with cheap £5 clone fans from overseas. We avoid these.
- Cheap Fans: Often have fewer blades, weaker motors, and vibrate excessively. They tend to fail again within 3 months.
- Our Fans: We source original Sunon, Delta, or AVC fans (the brands used by HP/Dell/Apple factory). They carry the correct voltage and CFM (airflow) ratings.
Double Fan Gaming Laptops
Gaming laptops often have two fans: one for CPU, one for GPU.
- CPU Fan: Usually on the left.
- GPU Fan: Usually on the right.
- Pair: We recommend changing both as a pair.
Fan Replacement FAQs
Questions about airflow.
How much is a new fan?
Most standard laptop fans cost between £15 and £30 for the part. Labour is usually £40. So a total repair is typically £55-£70 depending on the model.
Can I just oil the old fan?
In the old days, yes. But modern fans are "sealed" units. You cannot open the bearing to add oil without breaking the plastic seal. It's a temporary fix that lasts a week at best. Replacement is the only real solution.
Are Mac fans expensive?
Apple fans are higher quality (and quieter) but cost more. A MacBook Pro fan is usually £35-£45 for the part. We stock original Apple removal fans.