Laptop overheating? How to replace the cooling fan
Loud fans, throttling and sudden shutdowns usually point to a clogged or failing fan. Replacing it takes about 20 minutes.
Applies to: Dell XPS 15 9500 / 9510 / 9520, Precision 5570
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
15–30 min
Tools
Torx T5, Phillips #0, Plastic spudger, ESD strap
Symptoms
- Fan grinding or very loud
- Laptop shuts down under load
- Fan error at boot
Check these first
The cheapest repair is the one that doesn't need a part.
- Blow out the vents with compressed air.
- Update BIOS and thermal management drivers.
Step by step
- 1
Remove the bottom cover
Remove the Torx screws and pry gently from the hinge side.
- 2
Disconnect the battery
Always disconnect the battery connector before touching the board.
- 3
Swap the fan
Disconnect the fan cable, remove the screws and install the new fan.
Questions
- Are the left and right fans the same?
- No. The left (CPU) and right (GPU) fans on the XPS 15 are different parts. Check the side before ordering.