R250 - Adding Fans (iDRAC not seeing Fan#1 or #4)

Hello,

there is some issue related to firmware of the idrac about it.

Could you please check which is the idrac firmware and bios?

Thanks

@DELL-Marco B​ 

Hello, Marco!

It is running the latest BIOS v1.1.1 as well as the latest iDRAC v7.20.10.50

you could try updating the CPLD: PowerEdge CPLD Cota Version 1.0.3 | Driver Details | Dell US

Rey
#Iwork4Dell

@DELL-Rey G​ 

Thank you for the recommendation!

The system was running CPLD v1.0.1 and successfully updated to v1.0.3. I also performed an iDRAC reset and flea drain on the system, but unfortunately the system is still not recognizing fans connected to the FAN1 or FAN4 ports.

Do you have any other recommendations?

Hello,

did you perform a reset of the iDRAC?

PowerEdge: How to Reset the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) | Dell US

@DELL-Marco B​

Yes. I also performed a flea drain on the system.

I have noticed that the system now recognizes when a fan is plugged into FAN1, but still nothing for FAN4.

Ninemeister,

To confirm, when you are testing the fans are you restarting each time? Also, if you have individually tested each of the fans in #4s position, and it isn't working with any of the fans, the port itself may be the cause. Another thing you could look into is if there is a fan speed offset configured in the idrac, now I didn't believe that would have any bearing on the fan being seen or not, but it may be something to look at for the fan going to 70% as you previously stated. 

@DELL-Chris H ​ 

That is correct. When testing I have been powering off the system, unplugging the power, swapping fans, then plugging back in and waiting about 2-3 min, then powering on.

Correct. I have moved all of the fans into different positions and the only consistency is that no fan is being recognized in FAN#4 socket.

The fans are working in all of the ports and spinning, but FAN4 is not being recognized by iDRAC as being installed. When that happens the fan appears to be running at a constant ~70% RPM, but no reporting to iDRAC taking place.

Fan speed offset has stayed OFF during all testing.

If the fan is operating, then it isnt going to be a port issue. Would you do me a favor and confirm the part numbers listed on each of the fans?

Also, just to confirm, have you had or are having any issues with the power supplies?

@DELL-Chris H ​ 

All of the fans show DP/N 0281K0. Haven't had any issues with power supply or any other issues at all.

@DELL-Chris H ​ 

For the Thermal Profile I've had it set to 'Minimum Power (Performance per Watt Optimized)'.

Try taking the server to its minimum to post configuration, which is removing everything internally and externally from the server, but the following;

• Processor
• One memory module (DIMM) in socket A1
• One power supply unit
• System board

After that then power the server and see if there is any change with the fans being seen. If so then individually add the removed devices back until the issue reappears, identifying the device causing the issue, or until you have reinstalled everything, which might be that a poor connection was the cause. 

If it doesn't change them being seen, then let us know.

@DELL-Chris H ​ 

Greetings, Chris!

I took the system down to it's minimum components, but the system still will not recognize a 3rd fan when installed. This R250 was very bare to begin with (no hard drives, no PCIe riser, only one PSU, only one CPU) with the only thing to remove being one of the two sticks of RAM.

I also updated to the latest iDRAC version 7.20.30.00 from 7.20.10.05 and then performed an iDRAC reset in hopes that may help, but it did not.

Hello,

Do you know the history of the R250?

Where was it acquired from?

I'm asking because all 4 fans are required and you indicated it only had fan 2&3.

Try looking in the LifeCycle controller (LCC) diagnostic and see if the fans show up there:

<F10 > LifeCycle Controller. Run the Diagnostic and see if it sees all the fans.

Check fan socket 1 and 4 for any pin damage or circuit board damage.

There was an iDRAC firmware that caused fan problems and it was recommended to roll back until the fix is out.

Could you try roll back the iDRAC and check reporting?

iDRAC 7.10.90.00

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=92mm7&oscode=ws22l&productcode=poweredge-r250

If it doesn't help you can reflash to 7.20.30.00.   iDRAC release version 7.20.30.50 planned for June 2025.

Also update BIOS to 1.12.0

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=n5j4v&oscode=ws22l&productcode=poweredge-r250