Yes! It is possible to replace the Power Supply fan. But, you have to do it carefully & have to pick the appropriate fan because different fans have different voltages, sizes & ratings.
Many beginners don’t have the technical knowledge; therefore, replacing the PSU fan seems difficult to them. I have also gone through such a situation, and after building several PCs & replacing the PSU fan over the years, I conquest my fear. So, this article will tell you everything about replacing a power supply fan.
Is It Safe Replacing The PSU Fan?
Yes! Replacing the Power Supply fan is an easy process, and it is 100% safe as long as you disconnect all the cables and cut the Power source completely.
You must replace the PSU fan carefully by disconnecting all the cables, removing the Power Sources, and switching off the PSU button. If you don’t do these things, then there is a shock risk that can cause severe damage to your system and to you.
When To Replace The PSU Fan?
There is no specific time to replace the Power Supply fan, but in some scenarios, you must have to replace your power supply fan. So, let’s take a look-
- If your Power Supply is not spinning.
- The power supply is making noisy sounds.
- If your Power Supply is overheating to an excess level, you cannot even touch it.
- The power supply is more than five years old.
These are some conditions where you must replace the Power Supply fan.
What is Needed To Replace The Power Supply Fan?
Replacing the PSU fan is not such a hard thing; you can replace your old PSU fan with a new one, but you need to arrange a couple of instruments to replace the fan. I have listed everything you need to replace the Power Supply fan here. So, let’s take a look-
- Screwdriver: This is the first thing you need to unscrew the Power Supply from the cabinet and to unscrew the PSU fan from the PCB box. You can use any conventional screwdriver to unscrew the screws.
- Paper Clip: The correct way to install the PSU fan to the system is by disconnecting it from the current; now, when you install the PSU fan, you have to check whether it is working perfectly or not. For this reason, you need a paperclip. If you don’t have any, then you can buy them from Amazon.
- Wire Cutter: The wire cutter is needed for everyone; it is required only if the Power Supply fan connector is soldered directly on the PCB, then you have to cut the cable. But the modern PSUs are the plugging system, so you can easily unplug them.
- Soldering Iron: This component is also needed for everyone; it is also required when your Power Supply fan connector is soldering-based. To solder the new PSU connector to the PCB, you need this iron.
- Fan: This is the ultimate thing that you have to buy. But, before purchasing the Power Supply fan, you must check its size, voltage, and current ratings. Check your previous power supplies spec to know the voltage, size, and ratings, then purchase the new fan.
These are some essential components you need to get before replacing your old Power Supply fan.
How To Replace The PSU Fan?
The overall process of replacing the Power Supply fan is pretty easy, and you have to follow some steps to replace the fan. So, follow the steps below-
Step 1: Open The PC Case
This is the first step you must follow; first, disconnect all the cables connected to the PC and then use your screwdriver to unscrew all the screws of your PC case and finally open the case.
Step 2: Unplug All Inner Cables
After opening the PC case next, unplug all the power supply cables that are connected to your device components like hard disk, SSDs, motherboards, optical drives, CPU, etc.
Step 3: Remove The Power Supply
After disconnecting all the Power Supply cables next, remove the Power Supply from the cabinet by unscrewing the screw.
Some cases don’t have the screws, and you can unplug those Power Supply by removing the plastic tabs holding them down.
Step 4: Open Power Supply
After removing the power supply from the case, in the next step, open the cover of your power supply by unscrewing the screws. Usually, there are four screws that you need to unscrew.
Step 5: Unscrew Power Supply Fan
After opening the Power Supply, unplug the power supply fan connector from the PCB board using your hand, and then unscrew the top panel of the Power Supply to remove the fan.
Step 6: Installing New Power Supply Fan
Now, use the new Power Supply fan that you have purchased, and then screw that fan with the top panel cover of the Power Supply. After doing so, plug the fan’s connector into the PCB board.
Now put the power supply top panel over it but don’t screw this. Before screwing this, we have to test it first whether the fan is working correctly or not.
Step 7: Paper Clip Test
Now, we have to use our paperclip to test whether the fan is working or not. So, firstly take the 24-pin ATX cable, and you will get a green wire there. Just put the one side of the paper clip by aligning the green wire and plug the other side of the paperclip point by aligning it to the black wire, which is situated just beside the green cable.
Once you have added the paper clip, next plug the Power Cord at the back side of the Power Supply and next on the Power Supply switch. You will see that your Power Supply fan would be running.
If you still have any confusion then watch this video here- How To Replace PSU Fan?
The Most Demanding Power Supply Fan
Among all the fans, the Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM is considered the best PSU fan, and most expert PC builders recommend this fan.
Let’s check out the specification of this fan-
| Brand Name | Noctua |
| Dimension | 4.724.72 x 0.98 x 4.72 inches |
| Power Connector | 4 Pin |
| Voltage | 12 |
| Noise Level | 25.1 DB |
| Maximum Rational Speed | 1700RPM |
Check this Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM on Amazon.
Can You Replace PSU Fan With Another Brand?
Yes, you can definitely replace the Power Supply fan with another brand, but you have to ensure that the old fan is comparable with the existing one. That means we can replace Corsair’s Power Supply fan with Noctua’s brand as long as the fan is comparable.
Remember that we can only install comparable fans, so before purchasing the new fan, we have to check the voltage, size, and current ratings.
If you don’t check these factors before replacing the Power Supply fan, then severe things could happen, such as damaging the PCB main board.
Final Thoughts
At the end of this article, I want to summarize that you can replace your Power Supply fan, but you have to disconnect all the power sources and pick the appropriate fan. If you don’t do it carefully, then severe damage could happen to you and your system.
I hope this article gives you a clear idea about the Power Supply fan replacement. Keep following this blog regularly to learn about Power Supplies, motherboards, storage devices, and other PC components. Do comments if this article is helpful for you.
