Airport Extreme 6th Gen shrieking fan noise

I had the same shrieking fan noise . The router still works but the noise is just annoying.

The problem is that the fan is wobbling because of dirt buildup in the fan. Specifically the small metal rod attached to the fan. The fan then hits the fan protective case.

You do not need to replace anything. Here's what I did.

- Teardown the router until you get to the fan. Search online how to disassemble the router. Be careful when disconnecting the cables from the motherboard. The pins easily break.

- Once you have the fan disconnected from the board, carefully open the fan protective case by un-clicking the locks. Do not open the case entirely. Leave the foam part intact.

- Take out the fan from the case and blowout dust from the magneting ring using compressed air duster.

- On the fan, clean the small pointed metal using a paper towel. Apply lube or oil. I used a very small amount of wd-40 on the small pointed metal.

- Return the fan in the protective case and test if the fan stopped wobbling before returning everything back in the router.

Goodluck!

Thanks for the lube suggestion on the small metal tip after opening router, opening the fan case, and pulling the actual fan out of the fan case to access the metal pin. It appeared dry. Hopefully this works. My fan wasn’t exactly shrieking but it wasn't silent, and I was getting the flashing amber led and the heat warning in Airport Utility. And the bad fan and bad fan latch in Airport Utility diagnostics.

If the problem comes back again, it might be a good idea to simply replace the fan. It is available on the Internet from several sources. For example:

https://www.battery-adapter.com/product_info.php/products_id/1516/vAirPort+Time+ Capsule+A1470

Just to add to Bob's comment.

I have also hit the problem that the sensor is bad as well as the fan.

A replacement fan did not fix it.. so I had to repair the power supply sensor.. and in the end simply ground it so it didn't give overheat warning.

I would not run the Time Capsule in particular without the fan running.. even with it turned upside down.. unless you opened the bottom cap.. and that could then be dangerous to little fingers.

I have replaced the internal power supply with external one.. which offloads a lot of the heat.. but must say I prefer to still keep the fan running. What is actually faulty on such a simple fan is a mystery to me. The original is simple to open and lube but it definitely was faulty.

Repair AC version Time Capsule or Extreme - LaPastenague

We hear about this issue several times a week.

Unfortunately, Apple considers the AirPort Extreme a sealed product so they do not offer repairs or repair parts for the AirPort.

If the product is less than 1 year old, Apple will replace the device for you.....or.....if you have AppleCare in effect on a qualified product, the AirPort Extreme will be covered for up to 3 years from its purchase date.

If you have an Apple Store near you, take the AirPort Extreme to them. Otherwise, contact Apple Support directly at http://www.apple.com/support/contact/

If the AirPort Extreme is not covered by warranty, you might be able to open up the AirPort, and pull the fan to find a suitable replacement. This article will provide some tips: AirPort Extreme A1521 Teardown - iFixit

I used that article to help tear open my unit. I had the random shrieking fan noise. I found my fan a bit dirty. I cleaned it and put it all right again. But that did not help.

I had turned on my Airport warnings and had been getting "this device may be overheating" warning and the amber light on the airport extreme.

Using the iPad version of the utility I looked at the diagnostics. Not sure, but I think the diagnostics can only be viewed on the iPad/iphone version of the utility.

There were quite a few "thermal" entries as well as a ton of other log data. The log showed up time units (don't know the unit) The log showed the "bad fan latch" closed. It also showed fan speed and min and max speed.

I found a time capsule fan that matched the airport extreme part number on eBay. I paid 23 dollars for a chinese unit. It took a few weeks to arrive.

When it showed up I replaced my fan. It took about 30 minutes for the entire job.

The unit fired up quietly and I have been very happy since. I have checked the logs on numerous occasions and it has no errors.

I am not sure but I think they current drain may have been excessive as I have had zero warnings and the performance seems better.

I understand the fan is controlled by load. As I download more (use more bandwidth) the fan speeds up. I have yet to hear it or any of the prior behavior.

PS I had purchased this second hand and had never tested it prior to buying (the guy met me in the parking lot of his complex). I would recommend any second hand purchase to use iPad utility to observe airport log prior to buying a used unit. You can use the info to discount the purchase by at least 23 dollars if it is showing errors.

If the unit is reset the logs are erased so be aware that a clean log doesn't always mean the machine is good.

Great input, thanks!

Btw, diagnostics is also available in v6.x of the AirPort Utility that runs on a Mac. You would access it on the utility's menu bar: Base Station > Diagnostics & Usage... after selecting the base station, and then, selecting Edit.

Thanks for the tip. I was exploring the utility and couldn't find the diagnostics. But it won't show up on a menu until you click and open the device. I clicked on the device and it wasn't on the menu until I took the next step to "edit" airport device. That's easier than using my iPhone.

PS After I posted the initial posting I fished the old fan out of the dustbin and took it apart. It has plastic clips that snap together and the sides fold together like a sandwich (with a hinge). There is no adhesive.

So I pulled the fan and it came off very easily. I expected it to be on there real good. I had some chapstick on the desk and stuck the shaft in that and put it back in. It spun freely (at least as freely as a permanent magnet motor unplugged will). So I think the lubrication had failed; this might be a fix for someone who needs a quick fix (that noise can keep one awake). I would use 3 in 1 oil instead or some teflon spray. The fan housing snapped together cleanly. I only broke one of the clasps.

I just popped the bottom off of the unit with a pocket knife. Then you can unplug the fan. It's the little 4 prong plug just below the 3 prong plug. The fan doesn't run anymore, but who cares if the Airport overheats? It's already beginning to break once the fan quits running well. It runs quieter and will last a bit longer. If yours is not under warranty, just let it run until it completely breaks down. Then go buy a product that doesn't have these kind of issues.

It seems like if you just place it upside down the heat naturally rises out of it and the fan spins up less, leading to fewer overheating incidents. My AirPort is clearly about to die, which is really disappointing since my last AirPort lasted at least 5 years, but I can extend its longevity with this.