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Noisy Computer Fan? Use FanLube!
Fixing Your PC's Noisy Fans
These are a couple of videos embedded from YouTube.
If either of them stop working, then please do tell us so that we can track down some replacements. Or tell us if you know of better videos!
This first video is actually of a guy dismantling a cooling pad, but it is the best video that we could find showing exactly the sort of fan that you find inside a PC. The camera work is poor, the commentary is poor, but eventually you get to see exactly how to dismantle the fan to expose the bearing. If he can do it, even you can do it!
Sadly, this first video suggests that any general purpose oil will do to oil your computer fan. This is most certainly not the case. However, the video does give you a good idea as to what to expect if you look inside your PC.
(Warning! Always disconnect power sources before messing around inside electrical equipment. Even then, there can be discharges of static or charge built up inside a capacitor, so do be very careful...)
A Cooling Fan:
So the correct lubricant to use is a Silicone Lubricant...
Use FanLube!
How To Clean A Laptop Fan:
This video is simply about taking the back (bottom) off your laptop and blowing dust out. However, it will give you some idea of what you can expect to find in there. Your fan may have accumulated a considerable amount of dust that is affecting its performance, so simply cleaning out any dust is vital. If you do that maybe you will cure any problem. However, lubricating the fan bearing may be required to really quieten a really noisy laptop fan.
Every make of laptop will look different. Often, the more modern laptops will have a much smaller fan than the one shown, and they may be built into their own little wind tunnel. (If this is the case, then almost certainly you won't be able to buy a replacement - the laptop manufacturer will have stockpiled them all for customers spending out for an expensive service.) However, if it needs oil in the bearing, then the process is exactly the same as for a larger PC fan.
Remember, the correct lubricant to use is a Silicone Lubricant - FanLube!
If the label covering the fan bearing is easily exposed, then peel it back and add one drop of FanLube to the bearing.
If, when the laptop is upside down for access, the sticker covering the bearing is facing away from you, then you will need to remove the fan, peel back the sticker, and then apply a drop of FanLube. If the fan is combined in its own little wind tunnel, don't worry, just remove the whole unit to get at the fan bearing - just make sure that it makes a good contact with the heat sink when you put it back together again.