Is that a jet engine at the top of a runway? No, it’s your laptop fan. PC laptops can be amazingly loud sometimes. So what can you do about it, and… are there quiet PC fans out there?
PC laptop fans are, in general, louder than Mac laptop fans. During demanding tasks, the fan may be louder as it works to cool your system. Or there could be an issue with the fan, laptop settings or hardware.
In this mini guide, we look at what you can do about a loud laptop fan, and recommend the best laptops with quiet PC fans.
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What to do about a loud laptop fan (7 steps)
If your laptop is loud, you might not have to buy a new one just yet.
You could be able to solve the problem by quietening the fan. Try these 7 sensible steps:
1. Clean your fan and vents
Clean the fan and the surrounding vents. Turn off your laptop and unplug it, then use a can of compressed air to blow out any dust and dirt that might be clogging the fan. You can also use a soft brush or cotton swab to gently clean the fan blades and vents.
2. Use a cooling pad
If your laptop is prone to overheating, using a cooling pad can help bring the temperature down, and quieten the fan!
These pads have built-in fans that help keep your laptop cool.
3. Adjust your power settings
Adjust your power settings to reduce the amount of power your laptop uses.
Go into your computer’s control panel or settings menu and select a power plan that reduces the amount of power your laptop uses. This will be called ‘Energy Saver’ mode, or something similar.
4. Update your drivers
Outdated drivers can cause your laptop fan to work harder than usual.
Make sure your drivers are up to date by going to your computer manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest updates. This can help optimize your computer’s performance and reduce the strain on your fan.
If you aren’t sure how to do this, ask a computer technician for advice. It could save you a lot of time.
5. Repaste your CPU
If your laptop fan is still loud after trying these tips, your CPU (central processing unit) might need to be repasted.
Alert! This is not a job for amateurs.
It will involve changing the thermal paste between your CPU and the heat sink to improve heat transfer and reduce noise from the fan.
6. Replace your fan
If the steps above haven’t made a difference or are not necessary, it might be time to replace your laptop fan.
Replacement fans can be purchased through your manufacturer or online. A computer repair professional should be able to fit it for you.
Only do this if it makes financial sense. In some cases, it might make sense to buy a quieter laptop…
7. Buy a quieter laptop
Sometimes the most effective solution is to invest in a quieter laptop.
Laptops with low-power processors like Intel’s Y-series or ARM-based chips tend to be quieter. Also, look out for devices advertised as having passive cooling or advanced thermal designs
There are a few laptops with quiet fans… and some are even fanless! Read the section below for our pick of the best 4 quiet options available on Amazon.
Recommended: 4 best laptops with quiet PC fans
OK, so here is our rundown of 5 PC laptops with quiet fans (or in some cases without fans entirely!):
#1 – Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold (fanless)
Fanless wonder with an Intel Core i5 processor that negates the need for active cooling. Interactive (it has the option of using touchscreen), innovative and manufactured with recycled carbon fiber.
Is it a laptop or a tablet? Well, the answer is: Somewhere in the middle. But who cares? The main thing is, it is completely fanless.
The good thing about not having a fan is near-silent operation… apart from the sound of you tapping away on the keyboard.
Because it has an Intel Core i5 processor that possesses Hybrid Technology, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold doesn’t actually need active cooling. That means it can go about its business without a fan. The folding design also helps with heat dissipation thanks to a larger surface area.
This versatile PC gives you a 13.3-inch OLED display for excellent visuals and color clarity. It’s innovative, cool, and it doesn’t have a fan.
#2 – Asus ROG Flow X16
The gamer’s choice for a quiet fan. An internal thermal management system and strategically placed fans maximize cooling levels while limiting fan noise.
Possibly the loudest thing you can do on a laptop is gaming. This activity is basically the noise from the fan cooling the powerful laptops that are used for gaming.
ASUS tackles this noise issue with a sophisticated thermal management system. It uses liquid metal compounds and carefully positioned cooling fans that maximize air circulation while keeping sound levels in check.
Also, the fan is deactivated completely for less demanding tasks that don’t require it, with Asus’s 0 dB Technology.
#3 – Dell XPS 13
You choose the level of fan noise – the Dell XPS 13 gives the user the ability to choose the ratio of noise to performance, selecting between 4 modes including Quiet. Impressive, lightweight business laptop with long battery.
The Dell XPS 13 is a business laptop that puts you in charge of how loud you want it to be.
This is how it works. You can choose from one of 4 modes – Quiet, Ultra-Performance, Cool and Optimized. If you choose Quiet Mode, the fan will be much quieter (although performance might be a little slower).
For those times you aren’t worried about the noise, but want to get things done quicker, Ultra-Performance Mode is the best. Cool Mode decreases fan noise a little less than Quiet Mode, and Optimized Mode gives you a nice balance of noise to performance (this is the default mode).
There’s also a very long battery life, Express Charge, and a light weight.
#4 – Surface Pro X (fanless)
Another fanless choice, the Surface Pro X is seen as the PC alternative to the quiet MacBook Air. A slim profile and powerful processor make this laptop a good choice for professionals on the move.
This is another superb all-rounder in the quiet category.
It is completely fanless, and it can be that way thanks to optimum heat dissipation, which reduces active cooling.
Seen by many as the PC alternative to the quiet MacBook Air, it has a very slim profile and houses an ARM-based processor.
A touchscreen display gives the Surface Pro X an interactive element that is likely to appeal to creatives.
