How to Troubleshoot Fan Issues

Windows updates can support your Windows operating system in many ways. Windows updates can solve specific problems, provide protection from malicious attacks, or even add new features to the operating system.

To install the latest updates in Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows 8 or 8.1, follow these steps.

1. Right-click Start and select Settings.
2. In the Settings panel, select Update & Security.
3. In the left panel, select Windows Update.
4. On the right panel, select Check for updates.
5. Restart the computer after downloading and installing the updates.

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SupportAssist helps you optimize your computer by running a series of diagnostics to identify modifications to files and settings of your computer. Optimizing your computer improves your computer speed, storage space availability, and stability by cleaning temporary files, tuning computer performance and optimizing the network.

Cleaning files

Cleaning your files helps you remove redundant files, temporary folders, and other unnecessary clutter from your computer.

1. Open SupportAssist and select the Optimize My System tile.
2. On the Home tab, under Clean Files, select Run Now.
   After the optimization is complete, a 'Check' icon and the last optimized date are displayed on the tile.
   NOTE: During optimization, the name of the task that is performed is displayed below the menu bar. The percentage of optimization that is complete is also displayed on the tile.
   If you want to stop the optimization, select Cancel.

Tuning your computer performance

Tuning your computer performance helps you adjust the power settings, registry, and memory allocation to maximize the processing speed of your computer.

1. Open SupportAssist and select the Optimize My System tile.
2. On the Home tab, under Tune Performance, select Run Now.
   After the optimization is complete, a 'Check' icon and the last optimized date are displayed on the tile.
   NOTE: During optimization, the name of the task that is performed is displayed below the menu bar. The percentage of optimization that is complete is also displayed on the tile.
   If you want to stop the optimization, select Cancel.

Optimizing the network

Optimizing your network helps you ensure network connectivity and updates your computer settings to maintain an efficient and reliable network.

1. Open SupportAssist and select the Optimize My System tile.
2. On the Home tab, under Optimize Network, select Run Now.
   After the optimization is complete, a 'Check' icon and the last optimized date are displayed on the tile.
   NOTE: During optimization, the name of the task that is performed is displayed below the menu bar. The percentage of optimization that is complete is also displayed on the tile.
   If you want to stop the optimization, select Cancel.

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Malware (virus, spyware, trojans, and so on) can cause a computer fan to run constantly due to an overload on the processor (CPU), this in turn causes the fans to run constantly and fast. Spyware and other types of malware are a big cause of many computer problems. If you suspect your computer has been infected, there is a chance that malicious software may be running in the background and slowing down your computer.

It is recommended that you scan your computer with an anti-virus or anti-malware program. Windows 10 computer comes integrated with Windows Defender which provides basic protection against malware. Most Dell computers also come with a basic anti-virus software that is preinstalled like McAfee but may require a subscription. There are many anti-virus or anti-malware programs (free to use and subscription based) that you may use such as McAfee, Norton, Kaspersky, Trend Micro. Use the anti-virus or anti-malware program that is installed on your computer to run a thorough or deep scan.

To learn more, see the Dell knowledge base article Protect Your Computer or Remove Virus, Spyware, or Other Malware in Microsoft Windows.

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Many applications or software run in the background, in the system tray (also called the notification area). These applications usually launch during startup and run in the background but remain hidden. Preventing these applications from launching during startup will not only improve the performance of your computer but also help the fans run slower comparatively due to lesser load on the processor (CPU).

To disable startup programs in Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows 8.1 or 8, follow these steps.

1. Close all open windows.
2. Press CTRL + Shift + ESC key together on the keyboard.
3. In the Task Manager window, select Startup tab.
4. Select the program or application that you want to disable from loading during startup.
5. Right-click and select Disable.
6. Repeat Step 4 and 5 for all the programs or applications that you want to disable from loading during startup.
7. Restart your computer.

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