To learn electronics in a very different and effective way, and gain access to Mr Carlson's personal designs and inventions, visit the Mr Carlson's Lab Patreon page here: www.patreon.com/MrCarlsonsLab

I know this wasn't much of a challenge, probably even boring for you, but I'd love to see some ATX PSU repair guidelines from you in the future. On almost every forum, everytime someone asks about a failure or problem on an ATX PSU, the rest says «just toss it, it's too dangerous», «don't touch it», «it's not worth it», and so on. Thank you, as always.

Considering the state of the fan, you might tell you friend to clean the computer out too.

„We fix the actual problem, we didn‘t replace it.“ That‘s what it‘s all about. 👍🏻👍🏻

So many things are unnecessarily thrown away, in this "disposable" age we live in. To me, it's very gratifying to repair something that otherwise would just be trashed. It's even satisfying to watch videos of other people repairing, restoring, even repurposing items. Thanks for sharing, Paul.

Paul definately knows how to keep his fans quiet.

Mr. Carlson, to us “Sorry about the de-focusing there” AvE, at the camera “Focus, you f#@&!”

"a bit of a current hog huh?" - i work on computer electronics and this quote belongs on my wall.

The outer casing from a cheap plastic ballpoint pen works well for installing those split washers, just pull the ballpoint and ink-tube assembly out of the pen with pliers. You can even reassemble the pen when you're done.

This is one of my favourite videos on this channel because it shows something I can actually be doing myself, especially fixing fans. I'd like to watch the whole thing including cut parts like cleaning and lubricating.

I have a degree in electronics, and taught electronics for 13 years, worked in the field for 48 years, but I am either reminded of something I had forgotten, or learn something new every time I watch this type of video, especially Mr. Carlson's Lab! Thank you for all you do for us!

I’ve been following your videos for a few years Mr Carlson. They’re always fantastic and I have learned so much from you, but this goes well beyond most people’s expectations. Repairing a power supply fan down to the bearing instead of simply replacing the fan, or the entire power supply as most people would do, is the mark of a genuine electronics technician. Well done sir. We need more people like you in our profession.

This is a pet peeve of mine: all of the devices that get scrapped simply because a fan is whining.

I've done this hundreds of times on customer sites around the world. Some 1980s mainframes I worked on had up to 12 power supplies in each cabinet and there were two full sized boxer fans in each supply. Since I was usually on some remote base with no spare parts within a thousand miles I got used to repairing stopped fans by cleaning out the bushings and lubing them with a bit of shredder oil. That little bit of maintenance can make those machines run 24/7 for years past their MTBF dates.

i love this guys trouble shooting methods , this is exactly how i was taught to fix / repair stuff way back in the "day" 60's to 70's use your senses first , listen , smell , touch then analyze and proceed to repair phase !! I just love this guys voice and methods , his video's are very good and he teaches very very well .. too bad others can't learn this way he does a fantastic job of instructing , I seem to learn something new with almost every video of his that I watch ..

Trait of a perfectionist, the same amount of care and thought given to a simple project as it if was as very complex one

Change the title to "fix noisy fan" not fix the PSU. FOR THE VIEWS!!!

I want to get a tee-shirt made stating: I Void Warranties! Thank you for showing this...people nowadays are way too throw-away...it's great that they can learn how to repair, reuse & recycle things that would normally get thrown away.

When I left my first apartment I watched my landlord spring for a whole new HVAC system because the blower got loud. I brought the old squirrel cage blower with me and re-packed it with grease 30 years ago. I’ve been using it to ventilate rooms when remodeling ever since.

"And when they ask how many videos should we post, they only answer more, more, more!" --Fortunate Lab by Carlson Clearwater Revival

Mr. Carlson, I deeply respect your passion for reducing waste. It is one of the reasons I fix "old" stereos, appliances, and other products.

My power supply just started making this sound. Thanks for posting

I usually check for bulged caps when I service a power supply. The most common result when a fan no longer cools the supply properly. I though I was the only one who "fixes" cooling fans. Nice to see I'm not alone.

I'm in my 8th decade and more than 50 years ago often repaired sealed condenser fan motors on freezers, coolers and refrigerators when the equipment was abandoned. Most refrigeration equipment is installed and never moved until it stops working and is replaced. My "fix" was to punch a small 1/16 hole in the top of the metal cap that sealed the back of the fan motor and use a small hypodermic needle to inject lubricant into the cap. Usually less than 1/2 ounce was required. Then wipe over the hole with a clean rag wet with a bit of isopropyl alcohol. Next apply a small spot of gasket sealer over the hole to close it up. 80 percent success rate. Back then you often needed an exact replacement part to change a condenser fan motor. This was before "universal fits all" fan motors existed. Good video. Thanks.

Great step-by-step video! I was able to fix mine in about 45 minutes. The fan rod was completely dry. A ,title lithium grease and light oil did the trick, no more noise! Thank you!

Will watch the whole thing later. I love every video of yours, and i SUPER LOVE that you are expanding beyond your normal stuff!! I look forward to more!

I've been in IT for 20+ years and have never known this could be done; you've shown an old dog a new trick! Much appreciated!!

You sir are awesome! I had everything put together, flipped the power supply switch and nothing. Five minutes into your video and I realized I did not push the motherboard power button to start everything up. Power supply and computer now work great thanks to you!

I'm glad to see someone else repairing the fans. It's easy enough and I've done it with case fans, CPU fans, laptop fans, etc.

Tally 1 for our environment! Every bit counts!

Having relubricated many a fan myself, I have two comments to make: Usually, when a fan starts growling like this, the cheap sleeve bearing has worn enough that relubricating will only be a temporary fix. Typically I have gotten another few months to a year or two out of a fan by lubricating it, but they never last as long as the original (already too short) pre-service life. If it's easy to get to this can be worth it to prolong the life and minimize waste as noted here, but if the fan is a real pain to get out of whatever equipment it's in, it can still be worth it to replace it. When you replace the fan, use a high-quality unit with proper bearings in it; while this still means you have to junk the original cheap fan, from that point on it should be a "lifetime" part and you'll never have to replace it again, keeping the cooled device (and your new quality fan) in operation for a long time. A small amount of waste to make up for the manufacturer's shortcomings, but you can at least keep everything else in operation as long as you need. Secondly, the fan shown here was more serviceable than most; it included the rubber face seal (often omitted on the cheapest fans which just rely on the sticker, invariably resulting in all the lubricant leaking out even faster) as well as having a reusable plastic split ring for retaining the shaft. Many of the ones I've disassembled instead use a toothed "one way" ring to retain the fan, and they're effectively impossible to remove without bending/breaking the ring, making proper servicing a lost cause. In those cases either just put some lube on from the outside and move the fan along its shaft to work it in (which will probably work for a while, but not forever if the fan was cheap in the first place), or just replace the fan (once) with a quality unit and never worry about it again.

I had the exact same fan problem with a corsair psu. I replaced the original fan with a Noctua . I kept the original corsair fan and following your video brought it right back. You are the best.

Always nice to see repairs that don't contribute to the landfill problem. 👍

Would like to hear more about your lubricant cocktail

Nice to hear “don’t take it apart as you may disturb the fault and it could go away” instead of that other idiotic comment “don’t turn it on, take it apart” from an unnamed KZfaqr. This is the difference between a real electronics technician who repairs equipment and a fake. So many great tips during this video. Just loved it when you slid the covering down on the croc clips at 17:36 to reduce the chance of shorting, the sign of a true professional.

Your friend is a very fortunate person... Very kind of you too use your skills too help another in need... Plus, I love the fact you repaired this old fan, instead of replacing it with a new one... 😉👍 🌎 Blessings: James 🕊

The details you show & work through make this video helpful. Thank you.

Almost wish it had an electrical fault that took some probing, but hard to complain too much! Not many people can make just lubing up a fan entertaining like you. Thanks for sharing another excellent video with us, Mr. Carlson!

"Never short a power supply" ...RIP the 8-bit Guy.

Thanks, I thought my PSU was broken, but when you said in the video that without a load it doesn't stay on you enlightened me :) I was going crazy checking the circuit, thanks again.

Done this for over 30 years, but never had an idea on filming an showing it, but thanks, you probably helped a lot of people, keep up your good work.

An excellent piece of 'Green' maintenance, Paul and a fine demonstration of how often a bit of high tech kit doesn't need high tech repairs - just logic and common sense. 5 stars. It reminded me of a time, about 20 years ago that a colleague asked for help as her computer sounded like there was a wasp trapped inside. Sure enough, when I powered it up in her office you'd have been hard put to hold a telephone conversation! It was a nice HP machine with a quick release latch on the lid. She was quite amazed when I leaned over, lifted the lid, glanced inside, made a quite gesture, closed it up and said 'That should fix it'. She powered it up and silence reigned. I'd been sneaky and palmed the little sticky label off the cpu heatsink fan (it was an extra one with an HP part number on it) which had slid sideways due to heat and centrifugal force. I quite enjoyed my Harry Potter reputation for a couple of days until I owned up - lol.

The idea that most dust is dead skin is a common myth, it's actually a pretty small percentage whereas most of what goes into dust is fabric fibers, pollen, soil, hair, sand, and other things depending on your local environment. There absolutely is dead skin in dust, but the amount is negligible. 🙂

You are a treasure powering the world, and you are in short supply. Thank you for helping pass some knowledge down to the next generation

I love when you work on modern equipment. Like audio gear or modern radios. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Always love learning new things from you. Thanks so much

We learned this trick in the late 1980s as the fans would get loud or stop working after 2 years or so and a new power supply cost a fortune back then. Good to show how it is done correctly.

Saved my son 80 bucks for a new one . I'm 63 and who says and old dog can't learn new tricks . I usually don't mess with newer stuff but this one just seemed mechanical and that's just my game ! Thanks !

Wholesome fix, nice work. The world needs more of you.

As a mechanic as well as a geek, my go to is actually gear oil. Thicker than most oils but still thin enough to flow around the shaft easier and haven't had an issue of it drying out over time.

Fix it and not replace it, I agree too. Would like to see more repair videos like this. Enjoyed this video very much. Now I know how to lub a power supply fan.

Awesome! I'm with you - fix it instead of replace it. I just fixed my kids computer power supply last night. A power regulator IC blew up. My kid ordered a new power supply and was going to recycle this one but I decided to give it a shot and repair it. Replaced the IC (learned some more about desoldering and soldering in the process which is a bonus!) and tested it. Works!! - so now he (or I) has a spare power supply. Thanks for making these videos. I learn something new every time.

dear Mr Carlson's Lab, I was breaking my head with a dead PSU, trying to get it to work, until I watched your video and voila! adding that resistor across the green lead and the black lead kick started like a charm... man you saved me a hell lot of time. please keep the wonderful videos going... love from India!

Finally a video of yours I can relate to lol.... jokes aside, been a faithful viewer of yours for YEARS and enjoyed this video just as much as your other ones!

I struggle to understand why anyone would thumbs down this? Shares in CORSAIR? Landfill investor? Weird. Paul, you consistently have the most superb educational delivery in any technical subject I have studied. Simple narrative, attention to detail and superb audio/visual skills. Thank you mate.

I think that's the simplest repair I've ever seen you do. Good health and long life to you!

Just love the way you Work. Brilliant fix thank you for sharing Paul.

It seemed overkill for the trouble, but after realizing how easy it is to salvage it, I think your right, it's well worth the easy effort.

Hey Mr Carlson, great video! I've been fixing fans like this in my computer pretty much since I was a kid, because my hardware budget used to be tight. That's why I try buying fans with ball bearings instead of sleeve bearings, they survive for way longer and are easier to lubricate. Also, you might actually want to use PTFE / teflon grease instead of regular oil, because oil will usually dry up again pretty fast, depending on how warm it gets in there.

Perfect timing as I just was repairing an old one myself. Replaced bulged caps and checked the usual problems. Fixed a bunch of stuff, but the 12V was too low and the 5V and 3.3V were too high. The halfbridge waveform also looked distorted with one peak much higher than the other. Got the schematics, started troubleshooting the feedback and driving circuitry. All I had to do was load the thing and the voltages went to their proper levels. I mean, it HAD loading resistors inside it! Oh well. Spent ages chasing a problem that didn't exist. XD

That was fun to watch Paul. You make everything seem so simple and easy.

Dead skin. Oh my. So much goodness with everything you touch. You are my reference. You and Xraytonyb are my go too for electronics. Why? Because you are careful and thoughtful. You remind me of a science teacher I wish I had. I was a cheeky brat back in the day. Science tempered my mischievous behavior. Unless we start talking about fun reactions, then I am all in. Some things never change. Your videos inspire me on the possibilities and what can be done. Your vintage restores are legendary. Please never do the KZfaq sensationalist mode many others do here. You are a professional. Thank you for your fixing and giving life to electronics small and large.

All wires contain smoke, it’s just a matter of how and when you release that smoke 😁

Years ago I had a PSU with this fault, except that I knew nothing at the time and didn't even consider the possibility of it being fixable, so I just kept using it. Eventually it overheated and something blew up... It's amazing the attitude shift that can come from knowing that things can actually be fixed and that it is possible to learn how to fix things. Something I really only learned from excellent people like yourself here on KZfaq. There's no way I'd repeat that mistake again!

This may have been a simple if not trivial fix, but you do exactly what is needed Paul. Fix the actual problem instead of throwing the whole thing away. That dust looked like it was the result of some home improvements. It makes me so sad that planned obsolescence, and the throw away mentality has taken over. It now also seems harder to rescue electronic gear at local recycling centres due to supposed health and safety issues these days. Often they are perfectly serviceable, but unwanted due to an upgrade, need a minor repair such as this, or could simply act as donors for the more exotic parts, but no, they must be destroyed.

Also, I use sewing machine oil in all the PC fans that I fix when they go noisy. Sewing machine oil is designed for high RPM motors, costs pittance at a sewing store, you don't need much, couple of drops, so the bottle lasts forever too :)

By the sound of that fan, I was sure the bearing was shot. Awesome work on a proper repair!

Full marks Paul - thank you. "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and/or Repair". Nicely done!

I’m so happy somebody made an in depth video about a cheap easily available remote sensor along with how to modify the various settings. Love the in depth videos, so fascinating.

Hope you do more videos like this fixing weird little things they are great 👍

Dust? that looks like drywall compound :D

honestly the best powersuply fan repair video i ever seen .. thanks allot gr8

I can't believe how many times I've needed to test a fan and plugged it directly into a computer fan header to test. The resister to extend the leads is genius!! So easy I'd never thought of it before

Actually I thought that this video will be a next fan replacement tutorial. I'm glad I was wrong :)

Outstanding job. I hung out with you till the end. Wow. I was looking for a video to show me how to replace the power supply on my PC and I stumbled on yours. It can't help me in my regard, but it was sure nice looking at you do this tedious work and fix your friend's power supply. My computer shuts down and restarts itself when the power supply is going bad. This one doesn't make any noise though and the computer is restarting itself and shutting down again after two years of installing it. I suppose it is the power supply going bad. Whenever I replace it, the shutting down and restarting itself stops. Thanks again. :)

Wonderful video Paul, it's nice to see variety and a computer power supply is a great change. Thank you for taking the time to make this video, thank you muchly. Love your videos and the channel.

Big thumbs up. 👍

Paul, could you tell us what the lubricants were, please?

Very enjoyable. Nice delivery. Excellent explanations to why you do things in a specific way, and especially showing how to renew the item rather than adding it to a landfill. Thank you.

Nice to see you do something down to earth. Great video, as are most of yours.

Just FYI: BIC makes the best fan retaining clip "installation" system. They come in a variety of colors. If Money is no object then you can always splurge on the PILOT inverse extraction apparatus.

Every engineer and student needs to watch this video! Meticulous work and pure dedication to details!

A big shout out for sharing your very professional expertise to all of us DIYers wanna be electonics hobbiests!

Great job at fixing the power supply fan Mr. Carlson! Thanks for sharing the video with us!💖👍😎JP

Awesome as always Mr Carlson! Just tell us your 2 favorite lubes please. I cant believe I just typed that. LOL

You are the electronics god! Always following your channel. Regards from Uruguay!

I have been cleaning and re-lubing my fans for years, if I can't fix it, then I replace and I have not yet. I enjoy the challenge. Great video.

This was so helpful. Another supply saved!

Probably timely given how rare new components are these days. As a secondary thought, right to repair seems to be mattering a lot more as people try to get more miles out of old stuff.

Ah, so this is what happens when "the dust hits the fan"... 😂

Well done. I like your attitude towards repairing vs replacing.

Hello Paul !! Its real good to see you again with another really good video of a simple repair project!! Once again YOU are the BEST with the videos you produce!! I am currently working on a BIG, Stromberg Carlson AM/FM radio model SR 406 with 17 tubes and a WHOPPING 25 watts audio output via 2 6L6 GB tubes in push pull !! I rebuilt the radio as usual now all that needs to be done is the RF and IF alignment of both the AM sections and FM sections but already this set sounds terrific. This set is a little different in that it has an RCA jack for a microphone input as well as 2 phono inputs, One for a Crystal cartridge and one for a magnetic cartridge as well!! Have a GREAT DAY Paul !! 73's from KC2UVN here in the state of New York!!

It was more like how to service a noisy fan

Something to consider when fixing fans is that there are 3 types of bearings now. The cheaper the power supply, the cheaper the manufacturer goes. Corsair did well here, but some have hydraulic ("fluid dynamic") bearings. The bearing actually holds a fluid rather than grease. Once the seal is broken the fluid leaks out, and the fan is toast. Just something to watch for.

Small issue for a 20 min video but learned something today. I knew it was the fan from the beginning when you said "noise" bit I didnt expect you to actually disassemble the fan itself. Pretty neat.

Great show! Thank you, sometimes the simple things you can repair are the most gratifying.

Have you considered supporting Louis Rossman and anything along the lines of Right to Repair? I know he's US based but still, you two could rule the world together. 😍 Love the channel, hoping to see what comes of that old automotive tester soon.

At least the owner isn't a smoker as those can be the worst depending on how much and what they smoke due to the usual tar buildup. Work in a pc repair shop and you'll see it all eventually with roaches and bed bugs being the ultimate worst.

Great video.. saved me from wasting a good fan and throwing out the old one on a cx850m. Subbed. Thanks!

Exactly the same problem I had with my Power Supply. Thank you very much. You saved my PS.