Fix A Computer Power Supply! 

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.

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’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.

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.

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

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

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 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

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.

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

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.

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

Tally 1 for our environment! Every bit counts!

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. 🙂

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

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

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 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.

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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!

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 RU-vidr. 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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Always love learning new things from you. Thanks so much

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.

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!

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 !

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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 RU-vid. There's no way I'd repeat that mistake again!

This was so helpful. Another supply saved!

Would like to hear more about your lubricant cocktail

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

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

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

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 RU-vid sensationalist mode many others do here. You are a professional. Thank you for your fixing and giving life to electronics small and large.

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 :)

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

"What will most people do in this situation? Probably throw out the fan and replace it" You give people too much credit =) I think most people would replace the whole power supply

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

Big thumbs up. 👍

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

>Expected an in-depth SMPS debugging video >Learned how to fix fans instead 10/10 would watch again

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

Dust? that looks like drywall compound :D

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

Something of further interest about the bearings. These sleeve bearings are made of a material called Oilite which is formed from bronze powder and stamped at high pressure to fuse it together in the proper shape. This is done to leave the bearing porous so lubricant can remain in the pores and migrate to the surface where lubrication is needed. A good Oilite bearing can contain up to 20% of it's volume as oil. It would have been good to try and remove the bearing and then clean the bearing in a strong solvent, dry it and then soak it in a light oil so that the pores can be cleaned and refilled. Many people apply heavy oil or grease to the bearing which will work nicely at first but in the long term the grease will block the pores and shorten the life of the bearing by preventing oil migration. This is a very common mistake because the bad effects are not immediately obvious and 'common' sense seems to indicate grease on a bearing would be a good thing. It is not always so.

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!

It was more like how to service a noisy fan

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

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

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

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.

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

Beginning: uses a resistor to turn on the PSU to avoid any possible short Later: pokes through the grill with a metallic screwdriver, to spin the fan while PSU is plugged in and powered on. P.S. Don't take this personal, I just found it amusing. I really like your videos and the very clean and professional way in which you present and explain everything with lots of details.

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

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.

What is the blend of two lubricants please ?...cheers.

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

Great diagnostic video on what can happens to a computer power supply. I had one die on me from not only dust but cat fur being sucked into the supply. People don't realize how much trouble dust and even fur can be to a computer supply. The dried up grease is a result of heat and dust getting into the fan. Thanks Paul as always another great video.

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.

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.

I have repaired so many computer fans in just the same way. It's cheap, quick and easy.

I had the same problem - lubricated fan bearings on a case fan and it's been working great (3 weeks on, 6+ hrs/day). Great work, thanks.

I loved fixing the fan! It has become so "OK" to throw away and replace, its nauseating.

I am curious about the two lubricants chosen for computer case fan. In addition, I also want to know the best lubricant for 16” electric fans.

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

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.