When systems come under heavy load CPUs, but other parts can as well, do use more power and that results in a higher than normal cooling requirement.
It is also possible that over time the fan speed has increased if air flow is restricted either by being in a space that is not well ventilated or by obstruction typically seen as dust build-ups.
Hi there. In this video, we'll look at potential high fan speed being caused by high CPU usage or poor air flow. When systems come under heavy load, CPUs require more power, which in turn creates more heat and results in a higher than normal cooling requirement. Check if the CPU usage is under constant high load. If this is the case, investigate what is causing high CPU usage by determining what application or service is causing this behavior.
If it's determined a specific application or piece of software is causing the issue, it may have to be removed or rolled back to a previous stable version. If the behavior happens due to seemingly normal operations and there have been no recent updates or reboots intended or unintended to the software of the machine, your machine might have reached the maximum of what it is designed to do, and your workload has outgrown the hardware it's running on.
If you have multiple systems running similar workload types and are having the same problem, you may need to talk to a Dell representative to discuss upgrading your hardware to meet your new working needs. It is possible that high fans and high CPU usage can be caused by restricted airflow to your system. PowerEdge chassis are designed for maximum airflow efficiency, passing through the machine and cooling the required components.
If there are any obstructions to the cooling, it can cause the system to heat up and in turn, the fans will ramp up to compensate to try cool the hotter than normal environment. Check for any obstructions to the fans or if the machine itself has been moved to a new environment that may be causing reduced airflow. Dust buildup in fans is a relatively normal scenario. A 100% dust free environment is almost impossible to maintain.
Perform regular checks of the system internals and fans for any buildups of dust and clean accordingly. There is a guide for best cleaning practices in the description below. If the machine is clean and there's no apparent issues with the hardware or software causing this high fan speed issue, refer to the knowledge base article in the description below for further troubleshooting steps on this issue. And that's it.
Thanks for watching.
