Dell XPS 15z processor fan error

Question

Hi there :)

I've had my XPS 15z for a few weeks now, and during that time it has shut down instantly 2-3 times, when it was doing some demanding work. I noticed that the laptop had gotten quite hot every time, and decided to run the dell diagnosis boot-up test. When it reached processor fan an error came up reading:

MSG - Fan. The [Processor Fan] fan failed to respond correctly

Error code : 2000-0511

Validation code : 12545

Then it continued to memory test, got very hot, so i shut the test down. I might add, that this happend even though i had put the laptop in and open window - it is about 0 degrees celsius outside.

What do you recommend ?

Best regards, the Dane.

ejn63 · Accepted Answer

Call Dell with the exact error and they'll arrange for a warranty repair.

BadgerP · Answer

What did Dell do to fix it? I can replace the parts myself, just need to know what to get. Mine conveniently broke immediately after the warranty expired.

ejn63 · Answer

The fan would be the first part to replace.  If that doesn't fix the problem, it'll be the system board that needs replacement.

Sukanya M · Answer

Hi The Dane ,

Welcome to Dell Community .I am Sukanya from Dell social media outreach team.I see you are facing an issue that could be to do with the system heat sink assembly fault.Please let us know if you have flashed the BIOS recently.If not try the same (attaching the link from the Dell support site) and let us know .If the issue is still persisting we may have to replace the relevent parts.

www.dell.com/.../xps-15z

Regards

Dell_Sukanya Mitra

Dell Social Media Responder

BadgerP · Answer

Hi Sukanya.

Thanks for the suggestion. I already had the latest bios (A10). I reflashed it anyways and still no change - fan is not working.

Unless there is anything more specific, I will check the wires and connections between the fan and motherboard, then order a new fan.

Clarification on the problem:

1) The fan speed startup diagnostic detail shows 0 RPM, and the fan makes almost no noise. I ran the system with the bottom cover off and could see the fan moving slightly for a short pulse and then stopping, then starting again. There are actually a few RPM - not sure how sensitive the diagnostic monitor should be.

2) The fan spins fine; if i manually spin it it moves in what appears to be near friction-less. I also blew dust from the inside of the fan outside the system. A lot of dust came out but it really made no difference.

3) The problem started while using my computer, it was not moving. It overheated after an hour of playing Diablo 3. It was spinning for that hour and I presume it stopped sometime towards the end. The system shut down with a thermal error in event viewer.

ejn63 · Answer

While you can try a new fan, it sounds far more likely the thermal sensor is fried -- meaning it'll be a system board replacement.

BadgerP · Answer

Ejn, Thanks for the tip. Temperature utilities correctly display my high system temperatures and when the system shuts down windows correctly identifies heat as the reason. it seems the problem is in sending a signal to/from the fan. Is there another thermal sensor involved in fan control?

BadgerP · Answer

A new fan for $35 fixed the problem. Cheaper than an extended warranty, but this problem may recur.

I think everyone's fan is at risk of a premature death. I suspect it broke because a wire is partially severed. This pic is the underside of the fan which shows the wire that is normally pinched between the fan corner and the motherboard.

Booooo, fragile design on premium priced laptop.

Locked Topics – Laptops General

Dell XPS 15z processor fan error

Was this post helpful?