[SOLVED] CPU fan is running rather erratically

Feb 5, 2020
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Hi,

I just finished building my PC with a Ryzen 9 3900X and while everything seems to be ok - for some reason my CPU fan is running rather erratically. Every now and then, even when completely idle, the fan will rev up to full speed for literally 1 second and then slow down again. I've checked temps and CPU usage when this happens but nothing changes, the fan just seems to speed up for no reason.

Any idea...?
 
Solution
Mobo fan headers have THREE main functions. The first is to provide power to the fan; the second is to alter the power settings to adjust the fan speed according to its pre-programmed settings (IF you use the Standard fan Profile) or to some setting you make. The third function (and vital, too) is to monitor the speed signal coming back from the fan for FAILURE, which is based on the fan speed. If the speed is less than some pre-set minimum, the mobo calls that a failed fan and takes action. On some mobos, the low limit that triggers failure detection is pre-set and fixed; on others you can change that limit.

If fan failure is detected, the mobo's first action is to send the fan a "full speed" signal to get it to re-start. If it gets a...

Paperdoc

Polypheme
Ambassador
Tell us exactly what CPU cooler you have - maker and model number. Also, same for your mobo.

Why' What you describe sounds something like the mobo has detected a "fan failure" and is trying to ensure it re-starts. I really doubt your fan is failing. BUT on some mobos for each fan header there is a setting you can adjust for what the MINIMUM fan speed should be before the mobo calls that a failure. With the exact identity of the fan and mobo we can look up the fan specss and the mobo header options and advise whether you should make a modest change to the alarm limit for CPU low fan speed.
 
Feb 5, 2020
27
0
30
Tell us exactly what CPU cooler you have - maker and model number. Also, same for your mobo.

Why' What you describe sounds something like the mobo has detected a "fan failure" and is trying to ensure it re-starts. I really doubt your fan is failing. BUT on some mobos for each fan header there is a setting you can adjust for what the MINIMUM fan speed should be before the mobo calls that a failure. With the exact identity of the fan and mobo we can look up the fan specss and the mobo header options and advise whether you should make a modest change to the alarm limit for CPU low fan speed.
Hi Paperdoc and thank you for your reply.

I'm using the CPU cooler that comes with the Ryzen 9 3900X in the same box.
My mobo is Asus tuf gaming x570-plus WiFi.
 

retroforlife

Reputable
Apr 19, 2017
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4,615
If your fans are ramping up and down more be better to set your own fan curves using the bios or software . I tend to have the case fans at a constant and CPU fan and GPU fans to slowly increase as temps get higher and to update less often every 10 seconds just personal preference 🙂
 
Feb 5, 2020
27
0
30
If your fans are ramping up and down more be better to set your own fan curves using the bios or software . I tend to have the case fans at a constant and CPU fan and GPU fans to slowly increase as temps get higher and to update less often every 10 seconds just personal preference 🙂
Yes I used the manual settings and minimize it all the way down just to test it. It did help but still the fan goes high for 1-2sec and back down...
 

Paperdoc

Polypheme
Ambassador
Mobo fan headers have THREE main functions. The first is to provide power to the fan; the second is to alter the power settings to adjust the fan speed according to its pre-programmed settings (IF you use the Standard fan Profile) or to some setting you make. The third function (and vital, too) is to monitor the speed signal coming back from the fan for FAILURE, which is based on the fan speed. If the speed is less than some pre-set minimum, the mobo calls that a failed fan and takes action. On some mobos, the low limit that triggers failure detection is pre-set and fixed; on others you can change that limit.

If fan failure is detected, the mobo's first action is to send the fan a "full speed" signal to get it to re-start. If it gets a good speed signal after that, it allows the fan to return to the current "proper" speed by sending out the same speed signal it had just before failure. If the fan does not re-start, it puts out a warning message on your screen so you know about the problem. In the case of a CPU_FAN header, because CPU cooling is absolutely necessary, it may take more drastic action and actually shut down your machine - depends on how your BIOS is programmed. In any case, though, this system is NOT going to allow you to run your fan slower than the low-speed limit without taking any corrective action.

I suspect that, whatever fan speed settings you have in place - either the Standard pre-programmed "curve" or your own custom "curve" using the Manual Profile option - the minimum speed signal being sent out to it at low system temperatures is so low the fan runs at less than the low limit, even if it IS actually turning. That causes the mobo to call it a Failed Fan and try to re-start it, which works! So, it returns to sending the fan the same speed signal it was before, and the fan repeats the same problem!

In one of your posts above you say you set the fan minimum speed at low temps to nearly off, and that did not solve your issue. Well, what you did was make SURE the fan would run so slow it triggered the fan re-start remedy.

I suggest that, to start, you go into the CPU_FAN configuration screen and set it to use the Standard Profile, then hit the "Apply" button - see your manual, p. 3-7. Now hit the Exit button or use the Esc key, and if that takes you back to the main menu (see p. 3-3), use the F10 key to reach the Exit Menu (p 3-18). There choose Save Changes and Exit, and your system will reboot. Run that way to see if you fan problem is still there.

If you still have the problem, go back into the CPU_FAN configuration screen and NOTE the speed setting it is using for minimum temperature - see p. 3-7. Now choose the Manual option at bottom and set up your own custom fan "curve" (p.3-8), ensuring that the lowest speed set is HIGHER that it was before. Go through the Save Changes and Exit step, and see if you fan keeps on running slowly at low workload, instead of stopping and re-starting.
 
Solution
Feb 5, 2020
27
0
30
Mobo fan headers have THREE main functions. The first is to provide power to the fan; the second is to alter the power settings to adjust the fan speed according to its pre-programmed settings (IF you use the Standard fan Profile) or to some setting you make. The third function (and vital, too) is to monitor the speed signal coming back from the fan for FAILURE, which is based on the fan speed. If the speed is less than some pre-set minimum, the mobo calls that a failed fan and takes action. On some mobos, the low limit that triggers failure detection is pre-set and fixed; on others you can change that limit.

If fan failure is detected, the mobo's first action is to send the fan a "full speed" signal to get it to re-start. If it gets a good speed signal after that, it allows the fan to return to the current "proper" speed by sending out the same speed signal it had just before failure. If the fan does not re-start, it puts out a warning message on your screen so you know about the problem. In the case of a CPU_FAN header, because CPU cooling is absolutely necessary, it may take more drastic action and actually shut down your machine - depends on how your BIOS is programmed. In any case, though, this system is NOT going to allow you to run your fan slower than the low-speed limit without taking any corrective action.

I suspect that, whatever fan speed settings you have in place - either the Standard pre-programmed "curve" or your own custom "curve" using the Manual Profile option - the minimum speed signal being sent out to it at low system temperatures is so low the fan runs at less than the low limit, even if it IS actually turning. That causes the mobo to call it a Failed Fan and try to re-start it, which works! So, it returns to sending the fan the same speed signal it was before, and the fan repeats the same problem!

In one of your posts above you say you set the fan minimum speed at low temps to nearly off, and that did not solve your issue. Well, what you did was make SURE the fan would run so slow it triggered the fan re-start remedy.

I suggest that, to start, you go into the CPU_FAN configuration screen and set it to use the Standard Profile, then hit the "Apply" button - see your manual, p. 3-7. Now hit the Exit button or use the Esc key, and if that takes you back to the main menu (see p. 3-3), use the F10 key to reach the Exit Menu (p 3-18). There choose Save Changes and Exit, and your system will reboot. Run that way to see if you fan problem is still there.

If you still have the problem, go back into the CPU_FAN configuration screen and NOTE the speed setting it is using for minimum temperature - see p. 3-7. Now choose the Manual option at bottom and set up your own custom fan "curve" (p.3-8), ensuring that the lowest speed set is HIGHER that it was before. Go through the Save Changes and Exit step, and see if you fan keeps on running slowly at low workload, instead of stopping and re-starting.
Thank you for that detailed answer Paperdoc - really appreciate that. Will test it as you suggested during the weekend.