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- HP Community
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- Notebook Operating System and Recovery
- HP Spectre Fan stopping when power cable fully in

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03-27-2024 03:10 AM
I have an incredibly odd issue where my notebook fans stop working when the power cable is completely plugged in. When on battery power, the laptop is fine and the fans run well. When the cable is partially in (so that it's still charging but not completely in) the fans will whir and cool down the system. I don't understand what is happening to stop the fans immediately when the power cable is completely in though? I'm not even sure what has changed to bring this problem about.
I've tried updating the BIOS, I've changed my power plan settings, I've scanned for viruses (although this would be an odd virus) and I've fully updated Windows + optional updates and updated everything from HP Support Assistant.
Why is this happening?
03-29-2024 01:00 PM
Hi @ShadyNotes,
Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
It sounds like you're experiencing a peculiar issue with your HP Spectre laptop. While it's not a common problem, there could be several reasons why this is happening. Here are a few potential causes and troubleshooting steps you can try.
- Power Management Settings: Sometimes, power management settings can cause unexpected behavior. Make sure your power settings are configured correctly. You can check the advanced power settings to ensure that the system is not set to reduce fan speed or turn off the fans when connected to AC power.
- Overheating Protection: Some laptops have built-in mechanisms to reduce power consumption and heat generation when connected to AC power to prevent overheating. However, this shouldn't result in the fans completely stopping. Still, it's worth checking if there are any settings related to thermal management in the BIOS or Windows power settings.
- Faulty Power Adapter or Port: It's possible that there's an issue with either your laptop's power adapter or the port where you plug it in. Try using a different power adapter if available, or test your current adapter with another device to see if it's working correctly. Also, inspect the power port on your laptop for any physical damage or debris that may be causing a poor connection.
- Software/Firmware Issue: Despite your attempts to update the BIOS and drivers, there could still be a software or firmware issue causing the problem.
- Hardware Issue: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it's possible that there's a hardware problem with your laptop, such as a malfunctioning fan controller or sensor.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
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Alden4
HP Support
HP Support Community Moderator
04-01-2024 05:58 AM
Yeah, I've already checked all the power consumption settings. This issue happened overnight without any restarting or shutting down of the laptop. I'm inclined to believe it is a hardware fault, but I don't have many options in terms of testing. At best I may be able to try another charger, but if the laptop itself is the issue, I'm unfortunately out of luck.
04-01-2024 10:28 AM
Hi @ShadyNotes,
Thank you for your response,
This needs one-on-one interaction hence I'm sending a private message to assist you with the next action.
Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link.
I hope this helps! Keep me posted.
Alden4
HP Support
HP Support Community Moderator