Airport Extreme AC A1521 Shrieking Fan Noise

Why does Apple keep closing out discussion threads since it "Looks like no one's replied in a while."

Case in point: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7429535

My Airport Extreme (AC A1521) started making these crazy little "shrieking" fan noise. There are various posts about it, both on Apple's discussion boards, and on external boards.

It appears the source of the problem is contamination in the cooling fan inside the Airport. Dust or debris gets in there, and, after time, the fan starts making some really alarming noises. If you fire up Airport Utility, you will also see that the Airport is overheating.

Since Apple apparently does not repair Airports, your choices are: a) deal with it; b) take it apart yourself; or c) find a new Router / AP. Unfortunately, Apple has discontinued the brilliant Airport line, so now you have to look at Linksys, Eero, Google, etc.

Well, here's a tip if your Airport Extreme starts making these crazy noises: turn it upside down.

Yep, that's all. Just turn it upside down. I did, and problem solved.

Weirdly, Apple put the fan for the Airport Extreme at the bottom of the case. There is an airflow intake (or is it an exhaust?) at the bottom of the unit. Very weirdly, there is not venting on the top. Now, we all know that heat rises, so you would think that the bottom vent would be air intake, and there would be exhaust vents on the top. Not so.

So, by turning the unit upside down, you accomplish two things. First, you upend any dust / dirt / debris that's in the fan bearing. And, second, you let the unit vent its heat UP as nature intended.

I thought I was going to have to fully replace my venerable Airport Extreme. Instead, I turned it upside down and it's been working like a champ ever since!