2011 Mac mini Fan Replacement

[MysticCow]

Sadly, my 2011 mini needs a new fan (super cheap on eBay). Said fan also doesn't break "The Mac mini Rule." (Said rule: no upgrade can cost more than the cost of a shiny new Mac mini)

Other than needing a Torx (Lowes here I come!) and the fact that the fan has a very short cord is there anything else I need to know before diving in to replace this part?

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Sadly, my 2011 mini needs a new fan (super cheap on eBay). Said fan also doesn't break "The Mac mini Rule." (Said rule: no upgrade can cost more than the cost of a shiny new Mac mini)

Other than needing a Torx (Lowes here I come!) and the fact that the fan has a very short cord is there anything else I need to know before diving in to replace this part?

There's a tutorial on iFixit that walks through the process of replacing the fan. I would check that out. Their guides are usually quite excellent.

Mac mini Mid 2011 Fan Replacement

Use this guide to replace a noisy worn-out fan.

www.ifixit.com

 

[MysticCow]

There's a tutorial on iFixit that walks through the process of replacing the fan. I would check that out. Their guides are usually quite excellent.

Mac mini Mid 2011 Fan Replacement

Use this guide to replace a noisy worn-out fan.

www.ifixit.com

I saw that one, actually! Just wanted to make sure there weren't any weird issues. It looks like a very simple process.

 

[chrfr]

Other than needing a Torx (Lowes here I come!) and the fact that the fan has a very short cord is there anything else I need to know before diving in to replace this part?

You'll want to be sure you don't rip the connector for the fan off the logic board when you remove the old fan. Doing this makes a cheap repair quite expensive.

 

[MysticCow]

You'll want to be sure you don't rip the connector for the fan off the logic board when you remove the old fan. Doing this makes a cheap repair quite expensive.

It looks like a VERY short cord, so don't tug in any way, shape, or form. The fan itself looks like it just lifts out easily after the screws come out, so no pressure should be needed. Then gentle pull the connector from the logic board.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

It looks like a VERY short cord, so don't tug in any way, shape, or form. The fan itself looks like it just lifts out easily after the screws come out, so no pressure should be needed. Then gentle pull the connector from the logic board.

Yeah, I've had to remove connectors like these before. Sometimes they require a bit more of a "gentle pull" than you'd think, but it'll come out. They key thing is to make sure you come straight up. When replacing, straight down; make sure it's aligned; and gently press in with a nylon tool.

 

[MysticCow]

Yeah, I've had to remove connectors like these before. Sometimes they require a bit more of a "gentle pull" than you'd think, but it'll come out. They key thing is to make sure you come straight up. When replacing, straight down; make sure it's aligned; and gently press in with a nylon tool.

So it will "smoosh" in and straight up pull out (with gentle pressure). THANK YOU for the tips, everyone. I should order the fan this weekend and will let you know how it goes.

 

[MysticCow]

UPDATE

I kind of wish I made a video of the process. It is over the top simple.

For anyone searching in the future, here is how I did it:

1. Get the Torx set at Lowe’s/Home Depot/etc. You get a few more bits. Make 10,000,000% sure one of the bits is a T6.

2. The screws come out absurdly easy. This isn’t the hard part.

3. Pulling out the fan is absurdly easy as long as you do it with zero force.

4. Use the cords to gently pull the plug straight up. Pull at the plug end and not the fan end, which should not need to be said but… When I disconnected the plug, I heard a click. Don’t be scared of a click.

5. The fan clicks in. I used an old credit card (and then my fingernail as it did the exact same job) to make sure it was pushed in without pushing on the board (no scratches!).

6. The screws screw in like…screws. I did not try to make them screwdriver tight.

And you’re done. Boot and enjoy!

 

[chrfr]

4. Use the cords to gently pull the plug straight up. Pull at the plug end and not the fan end, which should not need to be said but… When I disconnected the plug, I heard a click. Don’t be scared of a click.

I'm glad this worked, but don't pull these connectors up by the wires– it's easy to pull a wire out of a connector this way, or to pull the socket off the board altogether. You want to use a small plastic tool underneath the wires to push them up and out of the connector.

 

[ojfd]

I kind of wish I made a video of the process. It is over the top simple.

OWC has many nice instructional videos