Is your laptop getting toasty hot? It could just be overheating. Then again, it could be that your laptop cooling fan is malfunctioning. If you suspect it’s the latter, but aren’t sure, I’ve got you covered. Here’s how to tell if you have a problem with your cooling fan. Check for dust and debris Regularly checking your laptop’s cooling fan for dust and debris should be a habit. Accumulated dust and debris can hinder the airflow, causing the fan to work inefficiently or stop working altogether. To inspect the fan, power off your PC and unplug it from its power source. Next, locate the fan vent on the bottom side of the laptop. Using a can of compressed air, gently blow out any physical dust or debris from the fan vent. If the dust and debris is excessive, you may need to open the laptop to clean the fan more thoroughly. In this case use a small brush or cotton swab to remove any dirt. Once the fan is clean, reassemble the laptop and power it back on to check if the fan is working properly. Get compressed air on Amazon Verify the power supply To verify the power supply to the cooling fan in your laptop start by checking the connection between the fan and the power source. If the fan is connected properly and still not getting power, examine the power adapter or cable for any signs of damage such as fraying or bending. Use an alternate cable if available. You can also try testing the power supply with another device to confirm whether the issue lies with the laptop or the fan’s power source. Examine the connections It’s important to examine the fan connections to see if everything is in order. Start by powering down the laptop and removing the battery to ensure safety during the inspection. Next, locate the fan connections by referencing the laptop’s service manual. The fan may be directly connected to the motherboard or have a separate connection. Once the connections are located, carefully inspect them for any signs of physical damage like corrosion. Again, you can use a can of compressed air to remove any dust or debris from the connectors. You should also check the fan header on the motherboard for any bent or damaged pins that may be impeding the connection. If everything is intact, reassemble the laptop and power it on to see if the fan starts working again. If the issue persists you may need to seek professional help or consider replacing the cooling fan or associated components. Pexels: IT Services EU Update the device drivers Updating the device drivers can often resolve issues with a laptop cooling fan not working properly. The drivers are the software that enables communication between the operating system and the hardware. Outdated or corrupted drivers can lead to malfunctions. To update the drivers, start by accessing the Device Manager in the Control Panel. Locate the section for the cooling fan, right-click on the device, and select “update driver” from the drop-down menu. You can choose to update the drivers automatically or manually and install the latest driver version from the manufacturer’s website. Monitor your CPU temperature If you suspect that your fan isn’t working properly you should confirm it by monitoring your CPU temperature. There are a bunch of applications that can help you do this, apps like Core Temp and HWMonitor for example. These apps will help you monitor stats like core temperature, CPU temperature, and maximum and minimum recorded temperatures. By checking these apps you can determine if your laptop is overheating and take steps to do something about it. When using monitoring software it’s important to create a baseline for normal operating temperatures under typical usage conditions to help you establish when readings are abnormal. If you’ve tried the above troubleshooting steps and you still have a problem with your laptop fan, ideally, you’ll want to seek professional advice and help to replace or repair the fan. Related content How healthy is your PC? Check with these 8 free apps Deep clean your Windows PC: 10 professional tricks and tools I made one small tweak to my gaming PC. The payoff has been huge