NUC CPU fan left turned on after ESXi shutdown

[KOr]

In a nutshell, the only issue I have with the NUC system is, the CPU fan would left turned on after ESXi shutdown while the NUC power button would be turned off. To turn the system back on with the power button, I would need to first pressing the power button for 5 seconds or so until the fan is turned off (the system is then forcefully powered off), only then I can turn the system back on again by pressing the power button normally. This annoys me as if I forgot to force the units to go down completely, I'd find the units are warm in the next morning and I don't have air conditioning running all the time. I had done a bit of research and did try a few things and unfortunately I had not found a solution to this, yet. I have two NUC units with the same parts and EXSi, both have the same experience.

Would appreciate your advise on what I should try.

And as much as I'd like to get some support regarding the above subject, I'd like share on this thread my experience of running ESXi 6.5 on the NUC units.

Hardware and firmware

ItemDescriptionRemarks1AC to DC power supply to the NUCThe stock NUC power adapter unit connects to a battery backup AC outlet on an APC BK650AS UPS2NUC modelNUC6i7KYK3BIOS version00494Memory32 GB of 2 x Kingston KVR21S15D8/165Storage2 x INTEL® SSD 600P SERIES 1.02 TB6INTEL® SSD 600P SERIES 1.02 TB firmware version121C7Boot drive1 x SanDisk Ultra Fit USB model SDCZ43-016G-Z46 - 16GB

Important hardware and firmware remarks

• For those planning to run ESXi 6.5 or similar, and for those planning to run Linux operating system on the NUC with Intel SSD 600P, I highly recommend that the SSD is updated with firmware version 121C (or better if available)
• There were issues reported running Linux on the Intel SSD 600P, at the time I'm writing this only Microsoft Windows versions listed on the 600P product page are 'officially' supported
• Having said, I had see reports on this forum and others that firmware version 121C works good for certain Linux flavors, and for me, ESXi - see also important notes on the NVMe driver for ESXi

BIOS configuration - configured according to article http://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2016/05/heads-up-esxi-not-working-on-the-new-intel-nuc-skull-canyon.html here by William Lam and article https://www.bussink.ch/?p=1729 here by Erik Bussink - in summary, I have the following BIOS settings. I'm listing them for reference, not that I know what each of the settings meant

ItemDescriptionRemarks1

BIOS\Devices\USB

• disabled - USB Legacy (Default: On)
• disabled - Portable Device Charging Mode (Default: Charging Only)
• not change - USB Ports (Port 01-08 enabled)

2

BIOS\Devices\SATA

• disabled - Chipset SATA (Default AHCI & SMART Enabled)
• disabled - HDD Activity LED (Default: On)
• disabled - M.2 PCIe SSD LEG (Default: On)

3

BIOS\Devices\Video

• IGD Minimum Memory - 64GB (Default)
• IGD Aperture Size - 256 (Default)
• IGD Primary Video Port - Auto (Default)

4

BIOS\Devices\Onboard Devices

• disabled - Audio (Default: On)
• LAN (Default)
• disabled - Thunderbolt Controller (Default is Enabled)
• disabled - WLAN (Default: On)
• disabled - Bluetooth (Default: On)
• SD Card - Read/Write (Default was Read)
• disabled - Enhanced Consumer IR (Default: On)
• disabled - High Precision Event Timers (Default: On)
• disabled - Num Lock (Default: On)

5

BIOS\PCI

• M.2 Slot 1 - Enabled
• M.2 Slot 2 - Enabled

6Cooling

• Fan Control Mode : Cool

7

Performance\Processor

• disabled Real...

[idata]

Hi scene,

Thank you for providing this excellent feedback about ESXi support on the Intel® NUC NUC6i7KYK, I appreciate this information.Let me try to isolate this CPU fan problem. At this stage, I would like to confirm that you have tested the latest Intel® NUC BIOS version https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26935/BIOS-Update-KYSKLi70-86A-?product=89187 0049Check this link below for BIOS update instructionshttps://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/boards-and-kits/000005636.html https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/boards-and-kits/000005636.htmlRegards,

Allan J.

[n_scott_pearson]

Allen,

I have reported this previously. I have seen this issue with KY without running anything like ESXi. Just doing a shutdown of Windows 7 can result in the power LED going off but the system still running and the fan will run faster and faster.

...S

[KOr]

Hi Allan,

Yes, I had BIOS version 49 tested, when I reported this I observed the issue when BIOS was on version 49. And I'm still running this BIOS version.

Scene

[idata]

Hi scene,

Thank you for the information.Could this be a hardware issue? Scott, did you ever replace the NUC?I have not seen this issue with our NUC6i7KYK in the lab.Allan J.

[n_scott_pearson]

No I didn't. Its only happened a couple of times and I simply shut it down manually.

...S

[KOr]

Both units have the same issue, it seems something to do with BIOS to me. Before the units started running on the latest version 49, and when the settings were mostly on defaults, and ESXi was on 6.5 GA without U1, the units were able to go completely down, most of the time, I'd say 7 out of 10 times. Same hardware. How can we tell if the system is doing something, and what it's doing when it can't go completely off?

Scene

[idata]

Hi scene,

Thank you for the information, I was wondering if you were able to downgrade BIOS since you mentioned that seems to be related to a BIOS version.Please check the link below and try to do a BIOS recovery, this will downgrade BIOS version and you can test the Intel® NUC with different versions.https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/89187/Intel-NUC-Kit-NUC6i7KYK https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/89187/Intel-NUC-Kit-NUC6i7KYKSee this link for recovery instructionshttps://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/boards-and-kits/000005532.html https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/boards-and-kits/000005532.htmlLet me know your findings.Allan J.

[KOr]

Reverting to earlier BIOS would give 70% clean shutdown experience. While on versions 49 (50 is out) gives 100% unclean shutdown experience. What would be the next steps at Intel if we were able to proof it's BIOS related? What sort of information do you require from the test?

Scene

[idata]

Hi scene,

Thank you for updating this thread.At this point, I recommend waiting for future BIOS releases at https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/89187/Intel-NUC-Kit-NUC6i7KYK https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/89187/Intel-NUC-Kit-NUC6i7KYKThank you for your time.Allan J.

[KOr]

despite the fact that both of the NUC systems I have require human interventions for powering off, they are prettying amazing systems - at max 17 lab virtual machines ran evenly distributed across the two NUC's. have had one occasion of the VMware purple screen on one NUC when it was running 9 idle virtual machines over a weekend - it could be the NUC or the parts attached to it that caused the purple screen (# PF Exception 14) problem. I believe the "won't power-off" issue is more to do with NUC-ESXi compatibility than issues on the NUC - I still hope through ESXi update and/or NUC BIOS update the issue is addressed in the near future - and with that addressed this NUC model and configurations make excellent and cost effective lab environments even for professional use.

scene

[ronei]

I have the exact same problem. When you shut down using win 10 through the start menu/shutdown, the fan stays on constantly.

Win 10 Pro 64bit

Intel Celeron CPU 847E 1.1Ghz

4GB Ram

Intel AC 7620 Wifi/Bluetooth

HD: Crucial CT20M500SSD3

Board: DCP847SKE

Version:G80890-105

BIOS: GKPPT10H.86A.0054.2014.1003.1749

I am going to look into a bios upgrade and do some troubleshooting, but I wanted to point out this is not an isolated problem with the NUC.

[n_scott_pearson]

Ryan,

You have BIOS 54 installed. The latest available is BIOS 62 (here: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26602/NUCs-BIOS-Update-GKPPT10H-86A-?product=71620 Download BIOS Update [GKPPT10H.86A]). Install this version and then test this again.

Hope this helps,

...S

[ronei]

Already in the process of doing that.

But... something is wrong. I ran the BIOS update program. It said it need to restart.

Now it has been stuck on Getting Windows Ready Dont turn off your computer with the moving dots for 20 minutes. I am just letting it sit to see if it will finally continue.

[ronei]

Finally continued. That took 45 min. Now it is flashing the BIOS after the bootup.

[ronei]

Did not fix the issue. It seems whenever HDMI is plugged into the NUC then on shutdown it appears to shutoff but the light and the fan stay on.