Corsair H110i GTX Fans Not Spinning

[Jacob Williamson]

Hello,

Recently I installed a Corsair H110i GTX CPU water cooler into my desktop, and at first, everything worked properly (i.e., the fans spun and the pump pumped). However, as soon as I decided to replace the two default fans with two Corsair SP140 fans, the H110i stopped working properly.

For one, the two new fans do not spin, nor do their LEDs illuminate. However, when I plugged each of them directly into the motherboard, they both worked perfectly well, meaning the H110i isn't sending them power. Despite this, the blue Corsair LED on top of the CPU cooling block lights up normally.

In addition, the pump seems to have stopped working because the CPU heats up very rapidly as soon as I turn the computer on. I've checked and double-checked all the connections, and everything is wired exactly as it was when the H110i was working just hours ago. As far as I can tell, the ONLY difference is the two new Corsair fans I just installed, and those each seem to be working on their own.

Does anyone have any idea what might be causing this? I suspect it might be some BIOS issue with my MSI Z170A Krait motherboard, but it was working all the way up until now so I'm still not sure. Part of me thinks it's just Corsair Link being finicky, but I wouldn't expect that to affect it at the BIOS stage.

Thanks for your help!

Update: I just tried reinstalling the old 4-pin default fans back, but they still don't spin up either. I thought maybe it was broken because the new fans only have 3 pins each instead of 4, but that doesn't seem to have any effect now.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Why would you replace SP140L PWM fans with SP140 non-PWM fans? Makes no sense. It might even be the fact that the new fans are NOT PWM that's causing the problem. IF the corsair link doesn't see an RPM signal from the fans, it may fail to power them or the pump. I'm just guessing as I don't know your configuration, but I'd use the other fans if it was working, since they're basically the same fan anyhow.

The fact is, the PWM fans it came with are better.

 

[Jacob Williamson]

Why would you replace SP140L PWM fans with SP140 non-PWM fans? Makes no sense. It might even be the fact that the new fans are NOT PWM that's causing the problem. IF the corsair link doesn't see an RPM signal from the fans, it may fail to power them or the pump. I'm just guessing as I don't know your configuration, but I'd use the other fans if it was working, since they're basically the same fan anyhow.

The fact is, the PWM fans it came with are better.

I guess that explains why the new fans only have 3 pins instead of the 4 pins the originals have. The reason I was replacing them was because the default fans have no LEDs, and I wanted to light up the inside of my case. Since they fit into the old 4-pin connectors, I figured they were compatible.

In any case, I just tried putting the old 4-pin PWM fans in and trying again, but now they're not spinning either.

What do you think I should do?

 

[Darkbreeze]

If the fans were spinning before and are not now, then something (Not necessarily the fans, but something) was not reconnected in the same fashion they were before. There can be no other answer. Try resetting the bios to defaults or making sure all fan profiles in the bios are enabled.

Where are your fans and pump connected? You're not connecting any of them to an integrated case fan hub are you? This is actually not an uncommon problem with Corsair H series AIO water coolers. Which is why I never recommend them. Honestly, my best recommendation would be to return it and go with something from Swiftech or a Cooler Master Nepton 240M, both of which are likely to outperform that H100i substantially and not have the problems common to the Corsair link package.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2547158/corsair-h100i.html

 

[CorsairJoseph]

Sounds like it is somehow related to power, due to the sudden rise in your CPU temp and fans not being powered. Check your SATA power connector and make sure it is properly seated. Is the pump LED still lit? Check your pump rpm also, you can always check that in BIOS. Its going to be either running around 2000rpm or 3000rpm, depending on that last profile saved into it.

 

[CorsairJoseph]

Which is why I never recommend them. Honestly, my best recommendation would be to return it and go with something from Swiftech or a Cooler Master Nepton 240M, both of which are likely to outperform that H100i substantially and not have the problems common to the Corsair link package.

I agree, both CM Nepton and Swiftech can probably beat the H100i, but those are 240 spec coolers. H110i GTX is a 280 spec and will most likely outperform all those 3.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Sh#$, my bad. I totally had the H100i in my mind. Still, same link, same problems. No offense intended. I just see an AWFUL lot of issues with the link hardware on systems that use the link, and not just coolers. Still, if it worked before, it should work now, unless something was not reconnected the same as before, or is not fully seated as you mentioned.

 

[Jacob Williamson]

It honestly seems like it simply chose that exact moment to go dead on me. Corsair confirmed 3-pin non-PWM fans would work (though you can't control them via Corsair Link). I've RMA'd the H110i anyway, and will try my luck.

 

[Darkbreeze]

I still think I'd go with a 280mm Cooler Master Nepton 280L or Swiftech AIO, but if you're beyond the refund period or just prefer Corsair products, it's totally understandable. Let us know what happens when the replacement arrives and good luck with it.

 

[CorsairJoseph]

Sh#$, my bad. I totally had the H100i in my mind. Still, same link, same problems. No offense intended. I just see an AWFUL lot of issues with the link hardware on systems that use the link, and not just coolers. Still, if it worked before, it should work now, unless something was not reconnected the same as before, or is not fully seated as you mentioned.

No worries, it's fair that you are informing the OP regarding C link issues. But to be fair, there are also users out there (including myself) that have no issues with C link. Yes, it's not perfect, but it's been getting better and more stable as it progresses from version to another. So we know that we are headed in the right direction with C link, soon enough we'll get those persistent bugs ironed out at some point.

 

[CorsairJoseph]

It honestly seems like it simply chose that exact moment to go dead on me. Corsair confirmed 3-pin non-PWM fans would work (though you can't control them via Corsair Link). I've RMA'd the H110i anyway, and will try my luck.

Let me know how the replacement is when you get it.