Problem: Windows PC Turns off and Fans Speed Up
PC shutting down and fans speeding up is a common problem many users complain about in major forums. It happens especially when performing heavy tasks such as graphics rendering, video editing, and gaming. This phenomenon is usually caused by excessive CPU temperature, improper power management settings, outdated graphics card drivers, or hardware failure.
In the following section, we list several proven methods to help you get rid of the problem and restore your computer to a normal state.
How to Fix if Your Fan Speeds up and Computer Shuts Down
Fix 1. Check if the Computer Is Overheating
Modern computer hardware typically includes built-in mechanisms to protect your device against overheating. If the system detects that the PC temperature has reached a critical level, it will automatically shut down to protect the hardware from damage. So, when your PC loses signal to monitor and fans speed up, you need to check whether your device is overheating.
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Fix 2. Clean out the Dust
When the computer temperature rises, the fan may try to increase its speed to dissipate the heat. However, if there is too much dust on the fan, the cooling effect may not be obvious or even produce louder noise. In this case, you need to clean out the dust on the fan and check if the problem is improved.
Fix 3. Troubleshoot Connection Problems
When your PC shuts off and fans get loud, it may be due to a problem with the internal hardware or a poorly connected power supply. You can check if the power supply cable, fan power cable, graphics card power cable, etc. are damaged. Also, you should reconnect them to your computer and make sure the connection is secure.
Fix 4. Update the Graphics Card Driver
As mentioned before, the corrupted graphics card driver may be the factor behind the computer’s down. Under this circumstance, you can go to the official website of your display card to download the latest driver package, and then install it on your computer manually. Alternatively, you can follow the steps below to update the driver from Device Manager.
Step 1. Right-click the Windows logo button on the taskbar and choose Device Manager to open it.
Step 2. Double-click on the Display adapters option to expand it.
Step 3. Right-click your display card and choose Update driver.
Step 4. You will be prompted to decide whether you want to let Windows search for the appropriate driver or use the driver you downloaded. Just choose the one that suits you and complete the driver update.
Fix 5. Re-seat the RAM
Some users reported that switching RAM slots solved the “PC turns off and fans speed up” problem. This could be a system failure caused by poor RAM contact. Therefore, you can try reseating the RAM and changing the RAM slots to see if it works.
Fix 6. Clear CMOS
BIOS setup errors may also cause system startup problems. Clearing CMOS is the process of clearing the information stored in the CMOS chip on the computer motherboard. So, you can try using this way to resolve the problem.
Typically, there are several ways to clear CMOS. You can read this post to choose the one that suits you most: How to Clear CMOS to Reset BIOS Settings in Systems With Intel Desktop Boxed Processors.
Bottom Line
PC turns off and fans speed up on Windows? You can fix it by trying the methods listed above. Hope the information we provide is beneficial to you.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Shirley graduated from English major and is currently an editor of MiniTool Team. She likes browsing and writing IT-related articles, and is committed to becoming a professional IT problem solver. The topic of her articles are generally about data recovery, data backup, and computer disk management, as well as other IT issues. In spare time, she likes watching movies, hiking and fishing.