ProLiant DL380 Gen11 loud fan noise after firmware upgrade

[Patric Falinder]

We have a ProLiant DL380 Gen11 which I did some firmware upgrades on yesterday. I downloaded the HPE SPP 2025.01.00.00 for Gen11 and ran it on Windows and rebooted.

Everything went fine but when I got to the office this morning (I made the upgrades from home) I heard the fans where a lot louder.
I checked iLO and the fans are at 36% and I can't see anything wrong with the temperatures either.

I checked so all firmware was installed and everything is OK and can't find anything newer.
I read a post where someone was having the same problem on another model and they ended up downgraded iLO which made the fans quiet down.
The installed iLO version is 1.66 so I tried 1.65 but no luck. I tried some older too but the oldest that it let me downgrade to was 1.62 and it didn't make a difference.

Before the firmware upgrades we couldn't hear the server at all but now eveyone in the office can hear it which is quiet annoying.

Does anyone know what I could do to make the fans lower the RPM?

I tried to switch the Thermal Configuration from Optimal Cooling to the other options but no luck. The fans spin up at full speed then quiet down then goes up again and gradually lowers and stays on 36%.

What can we try to fix this?

The last upgrade before this was over a year ago it that is any help.

[Patric Falinder · Accepted solution]

So the BIOS version in the SPP was v2.42. I later saw that v2.44 was available on the Support Center site.
Installed this one and it fixed it. Now the fans are at 13%

[Sunitha_Mod]

Hello @Patric Falinder,

That's Perfect! 

We are glad to know you were able to resolve the issue. Thank you for keeping us updated. 

[COSMETIX]

With the latest version U54 v2.46 (02/21/2025 it is even worse

[JustinBacon]

Had the same issue with our ProLiant DL380. 

v2.44 had fix our issues as well. Thanks !

[phuongnv]

Could you share the current firmware versions of your Server?, example ILO fw,Raid Card firmware..... I have updated bios v2.44 but it still doesn't solve the problem, does your server use a boot card? please help. thanks

[COSMETIX]

Attached is a screenshot of the iLO information, the status of the fans and the current temperatures:

[JustinBacon]

On my side, I did the SPP "Gen11 Service Pack for ProLiant 2025.01.00.00" first, then I proceed to the System ROM v.2.44.

[COSMETIX]

I also did it, but when I saw that it did not improve I updated to 2.46 (02-21-2025) now I see that it is 2.48 (03-11-2025) and I do not dare to update it in case it gets worse.

[JustinBacon]

Thanks for the information. I will not update my ROM... will keep it to v2.44.

I've notice a interesting comment in the "Problems Fixed" of the 2.44 ROM : Addressed an issue where fan speed remained at above 40% of its maximum due to an unsupported DL360/DL380 configuration when the OCP cable is connected without an OCP device.

I wonder if there realy a OCP cable with no device plugged. If unplug the OCP cable, maybe it's help.

[phuongnv]

I updated bios v2.44 and ILO in 2025, but the problem is still not solved, haizzz

[DamPayne]

I have a ML350 G11 and running latest ROM 2.48 (03/11/2025) - has not fixed fan issue. Fans constantly go to above 60%.

[Mr_Techie]

@DamPayne

I found this answer, see if this helps in your situation: 

How to identify the issue :
1) Please get and analyze the report of Temperature, CPU, DISK, IO and Fan from iLO System information page.
2) Check that the while booting, the POST error messages related to fan, temparature voilation, processor, heat sink related more precise errors visible.

How to minimize fan speed :
1) If the fan is running fast after booted to OS then, More I/O, Disk, CPU , RAM utilization may be the cause.
     Solution : End the tasks or processes which taking more resources.
2) Verify the fan airflow path is not blocked by cables or other material.
     Solution : Clear the outflow from fan.
3) Make sure the iLO, SystemROM are updated properly to the latest version.
    Solution : Download from support.hpe.com and upgrade the firmwares and drivers.
4) There may be some loose connection, please open the panel, swap the fans. 
     Please note, if fan 4 is running fast, then place it some other bay like bay2. Observe, whether fan running in bay 2 or 4 is running fast.
    From this we can understand if bay2 fan is running fast, then issue is with that fan.