PH317-51 : GPU fan not working + high temperatures !

Makarov

Hello,

Two weeks ago, my GPU fan was always spinning (I don't have a screenshot but I remember from PredatorSense that it was min 1800 RPM and average 2200-2500 RPM) and making a louder noise than the CPU fan, even if I was doing only simple tasks like Internet browsing or working on Excel. At first I thought it was spinning because there was too much dust in the GPU fan but after checking through the back of the laptop I saw no dust in the fan. Then it stopped making that noise, so I figured it was for the best. The thing is, the GPU fan completely stopped spinning, even when I am playing a game. It only makes a "Bzz" noise every 5 secs, as if it starts to spin for half a second and then stops.

My CPU & GPU temps have always been rather high when playing (around 85-90°C, with a cooling pad), but yesterday while playing my CPU & GPU temps reached high temps (98° for the CPU, 95° for the GPU) and I begin to worry.

Here's a list of what I did and did not do : I uninstalled/reinstalled PredatorSense, did make my pc sleep by unchecking the "Quick start" option in alimentation settings, install the latest Nvidia drivers, and use vacuum cleaner to try to clean the fan from dust.
I did NOT undervolt my CPU, repaste, try to "reboot" the battery, or update my BIOS. I never opened the laptop's case, and the only time it's been opened was when a tech added 8G RAM + an SSD drive, 6 months ago. I did never drop my laptop and I take good care of it.

I'll attach a screen that I just took for you to see that the GPU fan doesn't spin even on manual in Predator Sense.
Here is the link to my audio recording of the GPU "Bzz" sound : https://vocaroo.com/i/s0B6ffFM0kxB (you can hear the CPU fan spinning in a normal way, and the GPU fan tries to spin 3 times, it starts then immediately stops...)

I'm afraid that if I play more, my PC components will just fry... If anyone got an idea, I would be grateful.

xapim

If your fan is not working properly contact the seller/shop where you bought it or acer support for a warranty repair/rplacement asap

Jack22

@Makarov
There are some steps to fix in the below thread , please check on it and let us know.
https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/523632/cooler-not-working-predator-helios-300

Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!

Makarov

Thank you for your answer.
I tried to reinstall Turbo Boost but it didn't really change anything. I don't know how to update the BIOS, as I never did it. I cleaned the GPU fan again with a vacuum cleaner without opening the computer's case and got slightly better results (max 94° for the CPU and 90° for the GPU according to Predator Sense, after a 2h long Metro Exodus session on High settings).
As I said before the fan is spinning but is just blocked, I think it is dust fault, but I don't know how to open the laptop's case, after unscrewing a dozen screws the case just won't move. In order to see if dust is blocking the fan I must open it, but so far I've been unsuccessful.

Makarov

Edit : I found how to find my BIOS version, and I got the "Insyde Corp. V1.09", I don't know if that helps.

xapim

@Makarov check the back when its on and really see if the gpu fan is spinning or not if not try to get it to spin with a thoothpick or something if it still wont kick in dont use the laptop at all as the gpu is not getting cooled and may damage more hardware because of it contact acer support asap for a repair/replacement if its spinning its just a bug on PS remove it and reinstall it again if needed perform a battery power drain and reset bios to defaults

Makarov

@xapim My fan IS spinning so evacuating a little heat, but never continuously, it spins 1 sec every 5 seconds. Now, I did another cleaning with vacuum and saw that the CPU fan spins well and fast when I cleaned it, while the GPU fan also spins but less easily and sometimes gets stuck. 

To better picture it, it is as if you had two valves to turn : the first one turns very well without effort (in this case, the CPU fan), while the second one (GPU fan) also turns but requires a lot more force and could use some greasing. Now unfortunately I can't grease my computer 

I think it's out of my skills here, as it is a mechanical problem : the fan needs at least a push or a complete replacement.

My ACER warranty runs until November 2019, but I'm not in my home country until July. I guess I'll have to wait and take it easy on games until then.

xapim

If your fan is not working properly contact the seller/shop where you bought it or acer support for a warranty repair/rplacement asap

hmartinez

Hey @Makarov did you fixed this? I'm having the exact same issue here. 

Makarov

Hi ! I still have the buzzing sound but after I followed the CPU & GPU undervolt/overclock guides, it really helped to lower the temps to a reasonnable maximum of 75-80°under pressure. Been playing since last year without problem & without any drop in quality while gaming. Check out those 3 guides made by Hotel Hero to see if that can help you as well : 

- 1) Windows optimization guide : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTPMwQKlfPE
- 2) ThrottleStop guide to undervolt your cpu : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3v3o21M8gg
- 3) MSI Afterburner guide to undervolt & overclock your gpu : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYW7ROFx2Kk&

I hope that it can help you solve your heating issues ! Good luck 

ztrusco

In my case it was a problem of dust, i had to open it and clean everything and add a drop of oil in the fan. Now it is much better (45 degrees).

it is better to watch a video of how to open. And becareful, some screws have a certain order when closing.

Helios300User

[For Predator Helios 300 - PH-317-52]

Hey! I know this can't really be helpful.. I've had this problem before.. the fan ran until it went to 0. I sent it to Acer and they repaired it for $140 and gave me both the fans back. The GPU which was the broken one and the CPU which was still amazing, but since they replaced it whole (both the fans) they gave them back to me.

However after 4 to 5 months after repair I ran into this issue again. The GPU fan is again producing this noise and I'm afraid it's going to stop working as well, but for now I've been successfully able to stop it from making that noise by either moving my laptop a bit or by gently hitting the right part of the laptop (where the GPU fan is positioned) - you will probably feel the vibration of the fan scratches something..

Now.. I've also tried to find the issue that causes this thing to happen since I'm not the only one who has problems with only the GPU fan all the time. I opened the old cooling system Acer sent back after repair and I was shocked to see there was a very small amount of dust in it..  So I have no actual idea why this keeps happening.. I am always very careful when it comes to dust or hits or whatever it may cause this thing and it still happend.. twice.

Anyway, hope it helps a bit ~ at least send it to Acer.. it's the safest way I'd say.