Troubleshooting cooling problems

Last Updated : Mar 07, 2025 |

About this task

Use this procedure to troubleshoot cooling problems.

Before you begin

Ensure the following:

  • System cover, air/cooling shroud, EMI filler panel, memory module blank, or back filler bracket is not removed.

  • Ambient temperature is not higher than the system specific ambient temperature.

  • External airflow is not obstructed.

  • A cooling fan has not been removed.

  • The expansion card installation guidelines have been followed.

  • Each fan unit is comprised of 2 blades indicated by A/B, e.g, Fan1A/Fan1B.

Procedure

  1. Verify ambient temperature is not exceeded and external air flow to the server is not obstructed.

    If the iDRAC web interface is available, check System Board Inlet Temp under System/Overview/Cooling/Temperatures.

  2. Check the server LCD display and System Status LED indicators. For more information, see Status LED indicators.

    For a problem with a particular fan, the fan number is referenced by the LCD display, allowing you to identify and replace the proper fan by noting the fan numbers on the cooling fan assembly. If you identify that a fan has failed, see Replacing cooling fans or continue the following debugging steps.

  3. Troubleshoot cooling fans using the following steps:
    1. Open the server lid and reseat the indicted fan or the fan's power cable. Fans are hot swappable if done one at a time. Be very careful to not touch the spinning blades of the fan. If the user feels more comfortable with the server powered off before removing and reseating fans, then power off the server by shutting down applications as documented and then shutting down the Operating System/Hypervisor.
    2. Restart the system to see if fan errors are cleared.
      Note:

      The fan number is referenced by the management software of the system. For a problem with a particular fan, you can identify and replace it by noting down the fan numbers on the cooling fan assembly.

  4. If the problem persists, login to the iDRAC web interface and from the System/Status menu, view the fans and temperature status.
  5. For additional information, view the Maintenance/System event logs. If the problematic fan is detected, replace it using the procedure Replacing cooling fans.
  6. Perform the following steps for additional fan or thermal debugging:

    When feasible, reboot the server according to the Avaya application procedures.

    1. Connect a monitor, USB keyboard, and mouse to the Dell R640 Server, and from the Dell splash screen, press F10 to go to Lifecycle controller and run the diagnostics from the console.
    2. Click Hardware Diagnostics > Run Diagnostics, and navigate to the applicable tests for diagnosis.

      This begins the testing of a server. You can abort testing to select specific component testing by pressing ESC.

    3. Select fan testing and view results.
    4. If a fan is designated as failing or failed replace using the procedure Replacing cooling fans.