Dell XPS 13 9315 Noisy Fan

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) needs cooling because it runs most of the program(s) on the device. The fan becomes noisy due to the number of programs running in the background.

• To force quit all programs, locate the Alt key and F4 key
• Press these keys together to create a shortcut to close all active windows.

The issue might be that a screw is loose (screws holding the fan in place). You will need a Phillips #0 screwdriver.

• Locate the start button in the taskbar, press the power icon, and select shut down
• Open the laptop using Dell’s replacement guide on how to open the laptop base
• Locate the fan on the top left that has M1.6x2.5 screws and observe if there are any loose screws.
• If there are loose screws, use the Phillips #0 screwdriver to tighten the two M1.6x2.5 screws that are pinning down the fan.

The issue might be dust buildup in and around the fan.

• Open the laptop using Dell’s replacement guide   
• Locate the fan on the top left corner with the M1.6x2.5 screws and look at the fan to see if there is any visible dust
• If there is, use the Phillips #0 screwdriver to take the fan out of the computer
• Remove the fan and clean the fan with canned compressed air (use short, controlled bursts)
• After, use a vacuum designed for laptops with micro attachments to lift dust out of the fan

The bearings of the fan can be worn out and this can happen due to usage over time and randomly giving out.

• This guide is the same as the previous step as it opens the same part of the laptop. The guide for this is: Dell’s replacement guide   
• Check if you hear a grinding, rattling, or high-pitched sound along with vibration as the fan speeds up.
• If any of these noises are present, then replacing the part is advised.
• You could potentially find the part needed by searching up the laptop name and using the keyword “bearing”.
• If the part is sold separately and can be bought, then follow the guide given . Guide 

Fan blades can become unbalanced, which could lead to potentially damaged blades. To identify this issue, there are many symptoms to watch for: rattling, banging, scraping, or clicking. To complete this step accurately, a guide will be provided below to help along the way. It would be best to watch the guide before starting any step to get familiar with the issue.

• This guide is the same as the previous step as it opens the same part of the laptop. The guide for this is: Dell’s replacement guide   

* Check if any of the blades are broken or unbalanced.

• If any of the blades are damaged or broken then replacing the part is advised.
• Replacing this part will resolve the issue of having a damaged/unbalanced fan blade