Fans are running at a higher than expected speed

Symptom

The fans are running at a higher speed than expected.

Cause

  • The system temperature sensor reading is high and within approximately 10°C of the maximum operating temperature.

  • An air baffle or blank is missing or not installed properly, causing a disruption in the airflow.

  • The processor heatsink is not installed properly.

Action
  1. Update the server to the latest firmware version, such as system BIOS, option firmware, etc.

    For more information about updating the firmware, see Keeping the system current.

  2. Check the temperature. If a temperature sensor is high and within approximately 10°C of the maximum operating temperature, fan speeds can be higher than normal.
  3. Verify that all air baffles and required blanks, such as processor heatsink blanks, power supply blanks, etc., are installed.
  4. Verify that the correct processor heatsink is installed.
  5. If the system supports both standard and performance fans, verify that the correct fan is installed.