What is a Cooling Fan and why do I need it?

In simple terms, a Cooling Fan is a Rare technological item. You can recycle it into materials like Plastic Parts and Wires, which are essential for crafting more advanced equipment. It’s also required for certain projects in the game. For example, if you’re working on building Core Systems or Framework components, you’ll often need multiple Cooling Fans.

From experience, players tend to underestimate its value because it isn’t a weapon or armor piece, but it’s key for mid-to-late game crafting. Without it, you’ll hit a bottleneck in crafting some of the better gear.

Where do Cooling Fans spawn?

Cooling Fans are most commonly found in technological loot containers, specifically:

• Server Racks – This is by far the most consistent spawn. If you see a Server Rack in the level, there’s a decent chance a Cooling Fan will appear inside.

From observing dozens of runs, Cooling Fans do not have a 100% spawn rate. Usually, only 1 or 2 spawn per map, even in areas with multiple Server Racks. Players often make the mistake of rushing all the way through a mission without checking every rack, only to find out later they’ve missed a key component.

Practical tip: Slow down and visually scan every Server Rack in a room. It’s better to collect a Cooling Fan during exploration than rely on random drops later.

How do players typically farm Cooling Fans?

Most experienced players have developed a routine:

1. Identify the racks first. Before engaging enemies, mark all potential Server Racks in your route.

2. Prioritize high-traffic loot zones. Maps often have clusters of technological loot near mission objectives or terminals.

3. Recycle immediately. If you already have multiple Cooling Fans and need crafting materials, recycle them right away. A single Cooling Fan usually yields 14 Plastic Parts and 4 Wires.

This recycling process can feel slower, but it guarantees a steady supply of materials for crafting. Salvaging also works but produces far fewer resources (4 Wires), so it’s less efficient unless you just need a tiny amount of materials.

Which projects require Cooling Fans?

In practice, Cooling Fans are often needed for multi-stage projects. For example:

• Core System (2/6) → Framework (3/6): You will need at least five Cooling Fans combined with Durable Cloth, Wires, and Electrical Components.

The way I handle this is by planning ahead. If I know a project requires five Cooling Fans, I make sure to collect at least six or seven in case I need to recycle some for components.

Additionally, certain project chains will require other technological items alongside Cooling Fans. For example, if you’re progressing toward mid-game upgrades, you may also want to buy Snap Hook blueprint to streamline your traversal and item collection. Planning for both crafting and mobility simultaneously makes farming much more efficient.

How often do Cooling Fans appear in runs?

Based on what I’ve seen, the spawn rate is low enough that you shouldn’t expect to find more than 1–2 per medium-length mission. This is why tracking every spawn location in each map is crucial. Some players attempt to rely on random drops from enemies, but in my experience, the vast majority come from Scavenging points like Server Racks.

Should I prioritize collecting Cooling Fans over other materials?

It depends on your current crafting goals. Here’s how I decide in practice:

• Yes, prioritize if you are actively working on Core Systems or Framework projects. Missing a Cooling Fan will stall progress.

• No, deprioritize if your inventory is full of items you need to recycle for immediate use, and you can safely wait until the next run to collect more.

One thing I’ve learned is that hoarding Cooling Fans “just in case” rarely pays off. Use them for projects or recycle them for materials as soon as possible.

Practical tips for maximizing Cooling Fan spawns

1. Check every technological loot container. Don’t assume a container is empty just because you’ve seen it before. Spawns reset between runs.

2. Bring teammates. If you’re playing co-op, split up to cover more Server Racks simultaneously.

3. Recycle smartly. Decide early whether you need the Cooling Fan itself or the materials it provides. Over-recycling can backfire if you end up needing the fan later.

4. Plan your route. Maps often have a pattern for technological loot; memorizing common spawn points saves time.

5. Track project requirements. Know exactly how many Cooling Fans you need before a run so you don’t spend time over-farming.

Cooling Fans are a small but critical part of mid-game crafting in Arc Raiders. Most players find them in Server Racks, but spawns are limited, so careful planning is necessary. Prioritize collection based on your project goals, recycle when appropriate, and always scan each rack thoroughly.

If you combine smart farming with project planning—like knowing when to buy Snap Hook blueprint to reach hard-to-access loot—you’ll minimize wasted runs and keep your crafting queue moving.

Arc Raiders Stable Stock 2 Blueprint Guide