Abnormal fan whirring/buzzing noise on Pavilion dv6-6170us

[GeneralSu]

Hello,

Yesterday my laptop fan started making this whirring/buzzing noise when I started my computer up. I've had this laptop for over a year, and I know that this is a weird and abnormal sound. I did some research online and the general consensus on the first step was to use compressed air in the vents. So I bought a can and used it, to no avail. So, I attempted to open up the laptop to take a look at the fan, but I couldn't figure out how. I removed the screws and the plate in the middle, but I can't figure out how to access the fan. Does anyone have any solutions to this? I'd rather not throw in the towel and pay for expensive repairs.

Thanks in advance!

[UniProg]

Hello GeneralSu,

You can get directions on how to do many repairs from the Maintenance and Service Guide manual. 

For your issue, I know you've already used the canned air.  Take a look at this document, and see if the other steps help.
  Please let me know.

Good luck!

[GeneralSu]

Thanks for the info! I looked at the manual, and the disassembly looks pretty complicated...is there a way to just open the back and look at the fan? Because it seems to me that I have to remove a bunch of stuff before even being able to access the fan. 

Also, if the fan were broken, hypothetically speaking, what would be the best course of action to take?

[UniProg]

No, you'll have to access the fan per the instructions in the manual.  If the fan is broken,  you can order another one at HP Partsurfer by using the part number located in your manual.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

[Toenuti]

This happened with my HP Pavillion recently where it suddenly started buzzing really loudly.  I shutdown laptop and turned it on again, but the loud buzzing sound returned.  I then noticed the F12 button shaking and felt air coming through from underneathe it.  I figured the fan was being blocked somehow so I turned laptop off, turned it over and took out the battery.  I then wiped down battery and back of laptop with clean cloth and used a hairpin to pick out the dustballs from the vents at both ends of laptop.  After cleaning out the dust, there is no more buzzing sound after I restarted laptop.