Member Avatar for cajunsunshine

When I shut down my computer the fan will not quit running. I have to unplug it everytime and sometimes I forget. I know this isn't good for the computer. Can anyone help me. Thanxs.....

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OP reported a Gateway E-3600 running a fan after shutdown while the power LED is off, and that the machine immediately starts when the mains is re-plugged. That combination points to a hardware/firmware power issue (fan getting power when it should not), not a thermal problem — so 's dust advice is sensible as routine maintenance, but the LED-off detail makes lint the unlikely root cause here. Replies from and are on the right track: check where the fan is powered from and whether the BIOS/ACPI or PSU is failing to remove power.

Troubleshooting steps (safe, in order):

  • Power down and unplug the computer. Observe all fans on next power-up to identify which one keeps spinning after shutdown (PSU fan is at the back, CPU fan on the heatsink, case fans on the chassis).
  • With mains unplugged, open the case and trace the fan cable. If it is on a Molex/peripheral connector, it is powered directly by the PSU. If it is on a 3/4-pin header, it is motherboard-controlled.
  • If on Molex: suspect the PSU not switching off the 12V rail. If on motherboard header: check BIOS power settings (ACPI enabled; "Restore on AC Power Loss" = Last State/Off; disable Wake-on-LAN/USB). Clear CMOS if BIOS appears corrupted.
  • If safe test gear is available, measure presence of 12V/5VSB when "off" or try a known-good PSU. Note replaced a PSU without fix — that can rule in/out the supply.
  • If the fan still runs after these checks, professional repair or vendor support is recommended; a motherboard fault or a defective PSU standby circuit is plausible.

Safety note: never probe connectors or swap wiring while the system is plugged in.

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Member Avatar for Catweazle

More detail is needed please. We need to know what make and model of computer you have, what are its specifications/components if it's not a Brand name PC, what Windows version you're using.

We'd also like to know if this is a new problem or if it's happened since you got/built the PC. What you were doing on or to the PC in the period before you first noticed the behaviour would help as well.

Member Avatar for cajunsunshine

More detail is needed please. We need to know what make and model of computer you have, what are its specifications/components if it's not a Brand name PC, what Windows version you're using.

We'd also like to know if this is a new problem or if it's happened since you got/built the PC. What you were doing on or to the PC in the period before you first noticed the behaviour would help as well.

I have a Gateway, E-3600, I am using XP Home, SP 1. This has been an ongoing problem for about 6 months. Just like I said, it happens when you shut the computer down. You can hear the fan running and I have to unplug the power cord from the back of the computer. As soon as you plug in the cord it starts up immediately. The computer runs just fine otherwise. What do you think? Thanks for your reply..

Member Avatar for ian_tec234

when you shut down the comp and you hear the fan running does the power led lights still on? or just the fan on? and which fan is it?

Member Avatar for cajunsunshine

when you shut down the comp and you hear the fan running does the power led lights still on? or just the fan on? and which fan is it?

No the power led light is not still on, just the fan. I think I only have the one fan in my computer.

Member Avatar for alc6379

Open up the system, and see if there are any lights on the motherboard. You might need a motherboard replacement-- it sounds like the BIOS isn't shutting everything down that it's supposed to.

Unless there's some really big current draw on the motherboard, you're probably not going to hurt anything, IMHO. If all else fails, you might be able to replace that fan with one that runs off of a drive power connector, unless you've got a system where the BIOS complains about not having a fan connected to it.

Member Avatar for astewarted

My fans keeps running when i plug in my emachine T1742 model
when it shut down or plug in it keep running.
I just replace the Power supply

Member Avatar for SpiderLion

Very simple. Your fan is intended to cool the circuitry to avoid permanent heat damage. If your fan won't stop running, it's because the temperature inside the computer case is constantly above the fan trigger because your vents are clogged with lint (trust me). Because the vents are clogged, the fan is blowing the hot air all around on the inside of the computer case instead of blowing the hot air out through the vents, so it doesn't cool down. Take off the computer panel, and use a compressed air can to blow the lint out from the vents near the fan. Some computers have more than one fan, so clean all of the vents. Make sure you blow the dust OUT of the computer so it does not end up covering other parts of the circuits. After you do this, your computer will run faster, won't lock up, and be very quiet after that.

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