PC fan started screeching like a banshee, then silence now it just blinks at me like it’s judging my life choices

Unexpected PC Fan Malfunction: Troubleshooting Sudden Hardware Behavior

Experiencing sudden hardware issues can be both alarming and frustrating, especially when your computer begins behaving unpredictably without apparent cause. Recently, I encountered a puzzling situation where my desktop PC’s cooling fan unexpectedly spiked into a loud, jet-engine-like noise, then ceased altogether. This was followed by the system refusing to POST (Power-On Self Test), with no beeps or BIOS feedback, and a persistent flashing LED that seemed almost like a taunt.

The Incident

The incident occurred during a routine day while using standard applications—Spotify and Discord—nothing demanding or resource-intensive. I had multiple Chrome tabs, but nothing extraordinary like gaming or heavy processing tasks. Suddenly, my PC’s cooling fan roared to life at full speed for approximately three seconds, then abruptly stopped. Shortly after, the system refused to proceed with the startup sequence, leaving me with a silent, unresponsive machine that only displayed a blinking indicator—an eerie, accusatory glimmer reminiscent of a cryptic warning.

Initial Troubleshooting Steps

Given the sequence, I began contemplating potential causes:

Overheating or thermal issues: Unlikely in this context, as no intensive tasks were running.
Power supply anomalies: The brief surge and shutdown suggested a possible power fluctuation or supply issue.
Hardware connection problems: Loose cables, verify secure connections to CPU, GPU, and motherboard components.
Fan or cooling system fault: The sudden, loud fan activity implied a potential failure or short-circuit within the cooling system.
Motherboard or CPU failure: Could be a sign of motherboard malfunction or CPU-related issues, especially if POST is non-responsive.

Possible Causes and Solutions

1. Check Power Connections

Ensure all power cables are properly seated—particularly the 24-pin motherboard connector and the CPU power cable. Sometimes, a loose connection can cause irregular fan behavior and startup issues.

2. Inspect Cooling System

If a CPU cooler or case fan is malfunctioning, it can lead to system instability. Examine the CPU cooler for proper attachment, and test the fan separately if possible. A faulty fan can cause overheating, which might trigger safety shutdowns.