When the computer is running, the coolers of the video card should spin - this is their normal mode of operation. But often, some users encounter a problem when the cooler on the video card does not spin. Do not panic, because in some cases even this situation is normal. But sorting out is still recommended.
Why are coolers not spinning on the video card?
Some models of video cards are equipped with coolers that spin constantly. This is considered normal operation, but other models only cool when the GPU heats up. In such video cards, the cooler does not spin at a temperature of heating the chip to 50 degrees, however, the exact figure depends on the model itself. Some video cards have a higher temperature limit for activating coolers. Modern chips with large radiators can heat up to a temperature of 70 degrees and even more. In this case, the fans will not rotate, and only when a certain temperature is reached (for example, up to 75 degrees) they are activated. However, after the temperature drops below the set threshold, the cooler on the video card stops spinning.
This was done to save the fans' resource and save energy, which is quite logical, because there is no need to rotate the coolers for nothing if the chip copes well without them. But in many models this system is absent, and coolers begin to spin already when you press the power button on the computer.
Therefore, for starters, you just need to try to run some game on the computer. In this case, the graphics processor will be loaded. As a result, it will heat up, and a special algorithm will start the coolers. If the fans spin after heating the chip, it means that everything is fine with them.
Possible problems
Despite the fact that the fans may not rotate for a natural reason, possible breakdowns are not excluded. In the event that the cooler does not spin on the video card when the temperature of the GPU rises above 50 or 75 degrees (as set by the system), then this is an occasion to beware. This can happen due to a breakdown in the hardware or software of the video card.
The problem is in the drivers
Most often, when the temperature rises to 51 degrees, the algorithm should start coolers, and if it did not, then first of all you need to try changing the drivers. The fact is that the instructions for starting and stopping coolers are stored in the driver, and often after removing old and installing new drivers, the video card starts to work stably, like its cooling system, including fans.
If even after changing the driver the problem remains, then you need to dig deeper. First of all, you should try to run them manually. This is done using a special application that is installed with the driver. Depending on the manufacturer and model of the card, the application may have different names. Most often, the AMD Control Center program is installed with the driver for an AMD card.
In this program, you can manually set the fan speed and start them. If the fans rotate, this indicates a malfunction of the temperature sensor. It does not work, which means that the system thinks that the temperature is always normal. Therefore, the algorithm will not supply voltage to the fans. You can live with this breakdown, but it's not very convenient. After all, when starting games, you will have to manually activate the fans to the maximum to ensure good cooling.
But if even after a manual start they will not rotate, then most likely the problem is not in the software part, but in the hardware.
Causes of Fan Failure
Very rarely, due to a lack of power, the cooler on the video card does not spin. What to do in this case? At a minimum, you can try installing a more powerful power supply, after which the fans will restart. But quite rarely, a similar problem happens due to lack of nutrition. Most likely, it is hardware (physical) failure that takes place.
Another solution that is unlikely to help (but there is hope): remove the video card, wipe the contacts with alcohol, reconnect. If the coolers spin, it means that some contacts were oxidized, due to which the current did not flow to the fans, and they did not rotate.
In this case, the card must be removed and taken to a service center. If there is a guarantee for it, then the repair will cost free. Otherwise, you have to pay. Such a breakdown is quite common, and its repair is simple. Most likely, the problem is that there is no current flowing to the coolers, which indicates an interruption of any track on the video card circuit.
Worst option
The last case, when there is no image, the cooler of the video card spins and nothing happens on the screen at all. In this case, the problem is not in the fans, but in the breakdown of the video card. It requires a complete diagnosis and repair. It will not work out independently to determine the cause, unless you have a multimeter and you are well versed in electronic circuits.