Very Loud Fan Noise

[JPUK1973]

Hello everyone,

We have a HP ProLiant DL180 Gen9 server that has the fans running at 100% when operational. Previously fans were located in slots 2 and 5 and would quickly slow down from maximum speed once the OS started.

A short while ago, the fan in slot 2 failed and when a replacement was fitted, we found out that the actual power socket that fan plugged into had also failed. To make sure there was still enough cooling, and also to bypass the fan failure shutdown at boot, we placed the fan in slot 3.

Since then, the fans constantly run at the maximum - even after a BIOS update which we were hoping would cure the problem.

Does anybody have any other ideas as to what may be causing this and also any solutions or recommendations please? For reference, the server is in a very cool area and isn't overly taxed so this isn't an overheating issue. As mentioned above, the fan speed was fine before fan 2 failed.

Thanks,

Josh.

[Suman_1978]

Hi,

Here is the user guide for this server, refer to page# 80.
One processor, nonredundant, Fan 2 and 5 populated.
I am not sure if populated in different slot, the fans may not work as designed.

https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=c04683594

Thank You!
I work with HPE but opinions expressed here are mine.
HPE Tech Tips videos on How To and Troubleshooting topics

[JPUK1973]

Hi Suman_1978,

Many thanks for taking the time to reply. We have followed the fan slot configuration from page 80 when fitting the new fan and it was at this point that the discovery was made showing that the power port for fan 2 had failed. We have tried putting a fan in slot 2 but using the power port for slot 3 - sadly this didn't correct the issue.

I'm wondering if the fan configuration doesn't work correctly if it doesn't detect an actual power connector in slot 2? Previously we never had any issue with fan speed as it uses a relatively basic setup and only HP cards, etc. As discussed, the room where it is located is very cool (temperature-wise) and there is plenty of airflow.

Thanks,

Josh. 

[Suman_1978]

Hi,

My guess is that, if the fan is put into a different slot other than slot 2, it may not detect as per the configuration.

If you have support contract for this server, you may log a case with HPE.

You may also try clearing NVRAM, refer to page# 16 from the same guide.

Thank You!
I work with HPE but opinions expressed here are mine.
HPE Tech Tips videos on How To and Troubleshooting topics

[JPUK1973]

Thanks, I'm back in on Friday so I'll give this a go and let you know how I get on.

[JPUK1973]

Hi there,

The resetting of the NVRAM didn't have any effect but the installation of the SPP has made a noticeable difference to both the speed and noise. Thanks again for all of your help and advice!