Framework 13 (11th Gen) fan speed issue

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Hi all,

I’ve had my Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition (i5-1135G7) for 4+ years now. Throughout, I’ve been having random fluke issues with my fans (ramping up during sleep randomly, fan rattling sounds etc). My usual fixes have been cleaning out the fans, repaste the CPU and living with whatever random issue pops up.

However, now I’m facing a new persistent issue. The fans spike to audible or near maximum for 5 to 20 seconds during normal use, then drop to almost silent or off, and repeating this cycle randomly. I’ve recorded a clip: Watch IMG_5008 | Streamable

There’s no background process triggering this, no CPU spike, high CPU temps etc. It even occurs when I’m idling on the desktop with no apps open. Battery life was also noticeably worse.

This started a day after updating my BIOS to 3.22 and Windows 11 to the June patch. I initially thought it was a software issue… so

I’ve tried:

  • reseting mainboard state (CMOS battery replaced last year so shouldn’t be an issue)
  • rolling back Windows 11 June 2025 patch (worked for half a day, then issue returned)
  • reinstalling Windows (keeping apps & settings)
  • reinstalling Windows (wiping drive entirely)
  • installing Ubuntu (just to test if it was a Windows issue, it was not)
  • testing RAM & Storage (passed)
  • repasting the CPU
  • removing the thin thermal pad following this: Fan Noise is constant and loud at 15% load - #34 by Max_Klassen (I had 1 thin thermal pad that was in quite a bad state)

After a fresh Windows install, the issue is less frequent but still present. I can’t find a way to downgrade the BIOS, so I can’t rule out a firmware problem. The laptop otherwise performs well, and I see no visible motherboard damage.

I also ran Cinebench to test out the fans, and they didn’t ramp up properly. It would be on full tilt, then suddenly drop down to almost silent halfway through the test and fluctuate after. There was no significant change in CPU temps to explain it.

I’m considering replacing the fan & heatsink. However, this problem could be deeper, and I have no idea how to diagnose this any further. Getting the part shipped to me would be another headache as I am in Singapore (unsupported by Framework). Maybe it’s time for a trip to Taiwan hahahah…

Has anyone experienced similar issues, or have any ideas for troubleshooting? Thank you!

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I have just ordered some supplies to do a proper application of K5-Pro and to copper shim it yesterday. Ill update it whenever I get it done. Long term the thermalpaste dried out again which had me reapplying it. Now I want to try something else.
I highly suspect the VRMs under the thicker thermal pad to be the culprit, since they actually are generating heat, which the thick thermal pad cant transfer away well enough.

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