What should I do if the water-cooling fan is noisy?
In recent years, as the performance of computer hardware continues to improve, water-cooled cooling systems have become the first choice for many players because of their efficient heat dissipation capabilities. However, some users reported that the water-cooling fan is too noisy, affecting the user experience. This article will analyze the reasons why water cooling fans are noisy and provide solutions to help you solve the problem quickly.
1. Common causes of loud noise from water cooling fans

There are many reasons for the loud noise of water-cooling fans. The following are common problems and corresponding troubleshooting methods:
| Reason | performance | Troubleshooting methods |
|---|---|---|
| Fan speed is too high | The noise increases significantly when the fan is running at high speed | Check fan curve settings in BIOS or software |
| Fan bearing wear | There is abnormal noise or vibration when the fan rotates | Manually rotate the fan blades to check if they are smooth |
| Unstable installation | The fan resonates with the radiator or chassis | Check whether the screws are tightened and whether the shock absorbing pad is aged. |
| dust accumulation | Blocked fan blades or cooling fins | Clean dust from fans and radiators |
| Water pump failure | The water pump makes a buzzing or high-frequency noise | Check whether the water pump is working properly and whether there are air bubbles |
2. Methods to solve the noisy water cooling fan
In response to the above problems, the following are specific solutions:
1. Adjust fan speed
Most motherboards support adjusting fan speed through BIOS or software (such as SpeedFan, motherboard manufacturer tools). Appropriately reducing the fan speed can significantly reduce the noise, but you need to pay attention to whether the CPU temperature is within a safe range.
2. Replace the silent fan
If the original fan is too noisy, it can be replaced with a silent fan (such as Noctua NF-A12x25, be quiet! Silent Wings). When selecting, pay attention to whether the fan size, air volume and air pressure match.
3. Optimize the installation method
Use rubber shock-absorbing nails or shock-absorbing washers to secure the fan to prevent metal screws from directly contacting the chassis. Make sure the radiator is installed securely to reduce resonance.
4. Clean the dust regularly
It is recommended to clean the fan and radiator every 3-6 months. Use compressed air or a soft brush to remove dust to avoid accumulation that affects heat dissipation efficiency.
5. Check water pump status
If the water pump makes abnormal noise, try to remove the air bubbles (gently shake the radiator or adjust the installation angle). If the problem persists, the water pump may be faulty and you need to contact after-sales service.
3. Actual measurement data of popular water-cooled fan noise
The following is the recent noise test data of popular water-cooled fans (for reference only):
| Fan model | Speed (RPM) | Noise(dB) | mute suggestion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corsair ML120 Pro | 2000 | 37 | It is recommended to control it below 1500 RPM |
| Noctua NF-F12 | 1500 | 22 | Default silent design, no adjustment required |
| Lian Li SL120 | 1900 | 34 | Use with shock absorbing pads |
4. Summary
Noisy water cooling fans are usually caused by speed, installation or hardware problems. Most problems can be solved by adjusting settings, replacing parts, or cleaning and maintenance. If there is still no improvement after trying the above methods, it is recommended to contact professional after-sales inspection. A reasonable water cooling system should take into account both heat dissipation performance and silent experience, providing users with a more comfortable environment.
If you have other water cooling issues, please leave a message in the comment area to discuss!
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