GPU Fan Stopped Working

[lucaspharris]

So yesterday, playing Fortnite, I noticed a huge FPS drop (from a stable 170ish down to the 30s and 40s), accompanied with severe screen tearing. Upon investigation, I noticed that fan underneath my GPU had stopped spinning. I have a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 - 6GB (VR-Ready). I bought the card in July of last year, so it's only a little over a year old.

I assumed, maybe naively, that the FPS drop and screen tearing was a result of my GPU over heating. I tested the temperatures and it was around 95 degrees, and getting warmer.

I opened up my PC and did a thorough cleaning, clearing a bit of dust that had accumulated in the fan in case that had stopped it from spinning. Upon start up, everything seemed fine, the fan was spinning again (47 degrees was the temp), I booted up the game to test temps, and it was fine, for a few minutes. The fan started sounding like a lawnmower, getting noisier (Note, the RPM stayed the same, not like it was spinning out of control), after a few minutes, it stopped completely again, and temperatures rose into the 90s.

I assume due to the heat, and the fan stopping, the thermal paste will need to be replaced as well now. Just having my computer on, doing nothing, the temp steadily rises from mid 40s to over 95, I'm sure it would go higher but I shut it down.

I've read some things, about oiling the fan, replacing the fan, replacing the thermal paste (No repair shops in the area seemed willing to do these sorts of things), or replacing the GPU completely. Not sure what the best course of action will be going forward. I don't really have any experience in doing technical things, I purchased my computer from iBuypower, and although I chose the individual parts (with help from friends) I didn't put it together. I'm sure I could follow a youtube video, take the GPU out etc. But is it worth it? Debating whether to buy a new GPU at this point and try to put it in myself. I'd just upgrade to a 1080.

Any advice would be appreciated. Whether I've diagnosed wrong, or what I should do going forward.

Thanks!

(I did contact iBuypower, and they informed me the 3 year warranty only covers labour)
(Tried manually starting the fan with MSI afterburner, didn't work)

 

[vezityshock]

The fan motor for your gpu has no more grease on it anymore. This means the bearings are no longer spinning smoothly anymore. I suggest removing the screw from the PCB and look if the thermal paste is dry and check the fan as well. What model is your GTX 1060? Be more specific, like what brand made the GPU and what line up is it from.