Fix for GTX970/980 Fans Randomly Turning On issue

[flobelix]

The much discussed issue with fans of GTX 970 GAMING 4G randomly starting to run in idle (https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=184333.50) seems to be fixed with a vbios update. To point this out: These are official MSI files and no vbios mods

A very big thanks goes out to the German MSI forum and their moderator wiesel201 who pointed me to >>his thread<< and the files on the German forum.

To get started you first need to identify the correct vbios for your card. Therefor you need to check the card's S/N.

Example of a GTX 970 GAMING 4G's S/N: 602-V316-03SB1409025XXX

The number code marked red representing the card's batch is relevant for identifying the correct vbios. The table below shows which vbios applies to which batch number.

If you are unsure which one to use always ask one of the moderators or admins instead of hoping for the best!

09S / 03S / 010 NV316MH.182 -> to download NV316MH_182.rar

10S / 04S / 020 NV316MH.191 -> to download NV316MH_191.rar

11S / 05S / 030 NV316MH.1A1 -> to download NV316MH_1A1.rar

For our example card with the S/N 602-V316-03SB1409025XXX NV316MH.182 is the correct vbios so NV316MH_182.rar needs to be downloaded.

After downloading the matching archive first uninstall the Nvidia driver (!) then simply decompress the archive and then execute the included batch file (182.bat in case of NV316MH.182's archive) in Windows by double clicking or via command prompt (must be run as administrator)

Same like above now also applies to the GTX980 Gaming series:

03s / 13s  NV317MH.112 -> to download NV317MH_112.rar
06s / 14s  NV317MH.131 -> to download NV317MH_131.rar
11s / 15s  NV317MH.143 -> to download NV317MH_143.rar
12s / 16s  NV317MH.153 -> to download NV317MH_153.rar

Thanks again wiesel201!




*Please note that this just covers the issue with the fans randomly starting and not the problem of one fan not starting at all on earlier cards which is a defect that requires rma.*





 

 

[Gothmoth]

Check the sticker on the card (its on the oposite side of the cooler, usually facing up)

first thanks for the reply... but i know that. it was more a rethoric question.
i thought there is maybe a tool like gpu-z for it.

problem is.... people (who have no clue about PC?s) have to disassemble their PC?s?
and there is a sticker on new systems "warranty voided if removed".

i mean why has MSI this live update tool and is not using it?

 

[wiesel201]

Bios fix DID fix the random fan spinout on my 980.
Bios fix also made fan control software NOT working :/

In this case i think you should report it to support: http://register.msi.com/
Only if MSI knows about this new issue they can solve it.

 

[wiesel201]

i mean why has MSI this live update tool and is not using it?

Maybe this update will become possible through LiveUpdate, who knows? If you want, you can wait with the VBIOS Update until LiveUpdate makes it possible too. We all, uncluding the team of this forum, are users and not MSI employees. We can?t tell you, what MSI will do. But we can help each other.

 

[flobelix]

first thanks for the reply... but i know that. it was more a rethoric question.
i thought there is maybe a tool like gpu-z for it.

problem is.... people (who have no clue about PC?s) have to disassemble their PC?s?
and there is a sticker on new systems "warranty voided if removed".

i mean why has MSI this live update tool and is not using it?

We are not MSI ask MSI: >>How to contact MSI.<<

However files and update method is here. Besides these are retail cards so should be no problem finding the S/N as it is also to be found on the box it comes with. GPU-Z can't readout an S/N but just the currently used vbios.

Bios fix DID fix the random fan spinout on my 980.
Bios fix also made fan control software NOT working :/

Independent fan control message:
VGA driver is not installed. Please update the newer version.

I re-installed fan control, no luck - same story.
Driver .65

Uninstall driver in safemode using >>Driver Fusion<< and also uninstall fan control. After reboot reinstall driver and current fan control version from product site. If still no go could be a newer version is required to support the new vbios. 

 

[CalinTM]

It works ! Thanks MSI !!

 

[Lizard_of_bodom]

It works ! Thanks MSI !!

Can you please check if your Fan Control software is working?

 

[Gothmoth]

However files and update method is here. Besides these are retail cards so should be no problem finding the S/N as it is also to be found on the box it comes with. GPU-Z can't readout an S/N but just the currently used vbios.

but when you buy a PC system you normaly don?t get the empty boxes. 

i don?t know if his MSI 970 is a retail card or OEM but he did not get the empty boxes for all the parts in his PC and the grafic card has the fan issue.

as i wrote his PC system is sealed with a warranty sticker.
so he either has to remove the sticker and void his warranty (maybe) or live with the fan issue.

anyway this is very customer unfriendly way to handle it.... i only hope it will be distributed soon via the live update tool.
so people who don?t frequent forums get the new bios too.

i bet many customers have not even noticed this behavior.... the majority maybe.

 

[CalinTM]

Can you please check if your Fan Control software is working?

Yes it works mate. First time i installed the fan control software. Afterburner is my thing, from gtx 470 days

 

[Lizard_of_bodom]

Uninstall driver in safemode using >>Driver Fusion<< and also uninstall fan control. After reboot reinstall driver and current fan control version from product site. If still no go could be a newer version is required to support the new vbios.

Sorted. Version 2.0.0.3 works after the vbios update. I must have reinstalled old version from CD before, thats why didnt work 
thanks for the tip 

 

[CalinTM]

Sorted. Version 2.0.0.3 works after the vbios update. I must have reinstalled old version from CD before, thats why didnt work 
thanks for the tip 

Lol, u use CD's ? ) I dont have anymotre an optical drive.

 

[Lizard_of_bodom]

Yes it works mate. First time i installed the fan control software. Afterburner is my thing, from gtx 470 days

I use both - afterburner wont let you control nor monitor the black fan on 980, so MSI's app comes handy to keep an eye on it 
tx for checking. got mine working with updated version aswell.

edit - yep, I OCASIONALLY use CD drive, in that case I happen to have used CD included with 980 before updating all software to newer one but forgot about fan control
I dont know, but there is still some nostalgia when buying new hardware and putting DVD in drive to see the all-in-one install menu.... 

 

[CalinTM]

Yes the VRM fan, aka. black fan on 980 can be controlled only by that msi tool. Afterburner reads only one fan.

 

[KingDazza]

Thanks to flobelix & wiesel201.  I've learnt far more about vbios, tweaking them, flashing them and checking them than ideally I would have liked.  Such is life, but thanks none the less. 

 

[Razoola]

Looks to be working for me also, I needed the NV316MH_182 version.

 

[CalinTM]

I use both - afterburner wont let you control nor monitor the black fan on 980, so MSI's app comes handy to keep an eye on it 
tx for checking. got mine working with updated version aswell.

edit - yep, I OCASIONALLY use CD drive, in that case I happen to have used CD included with 980 before updating all software to newer one but forgot about fan control
I dont know, but there is still some nostalgia when buying new hardware and putting DVD in drive to see the all-in-one install menu.... 

Eh, with my recent cards bought, i dont even touched the CD in the box, like, i dont have any finger prints even, if the police can check

Ok lets not keep this off-topic.

Again thanks to MSI and Nvidia !!

 

[boogeyman]

Thanks for posting this my 970 now performs correctly.

I also noticed the fan speed % now says zero instead of 1 as it should. Live Update system info still shows my card bios version NV316MH.126 but the newest drivers work to cure the fan start/stop so I'm happy.

 

[taim2dai]

I have a few questions.

My serial number is 602-V316-092B so I'm assuming i pick NV316MH.182 -> to download NV316MH_182.rar but my vBIOS isn't NV316MH.182 according to live update it is NV316MH.180. Can I still use the one supplied or should I wait?

 

[Stanleyc415]

Just tried this and unfortunately the idle fan problem still remains. The only difference seems to be that the usage will properly say 0 percent now instead of 1 percent.

Using latest Nvidia Drivers 344.65

 

[Xblaze101]

How does one flash bios on a sli setup?

 

[alas1986]

Every time i try to flash the fix on my GTX980 my screen freezes and i have to manually shut off my computer. Wth!