Where to Find Cooling Fans in ARC Raiders

In ARC Raiders, Cooling Fans are one of the most important technological resources, which — just like Rusted Gears — are required for Expedition preparation. They are used in crafting and upgrading equipment, making them essential for progressing to the next development stage. Cooling Fans are quite difficult to find, as they appear only in technological areas filled with old machinery and electrical cabinets. This guide will help you understand what this material is, where to find it, and how to use it efficiently to advance your Expedition progress.

What is Cooling Fans in ARC Raiders

Cooling Fans are a rare technological material in ARC Raiders, used for advancing through the second phase of Expedition preparation. In the game’s lore, these fans are parts of cooling systems from old machines and server installations scattered throughout technological zones. Their main function is to ensure the stable operation of complex devices, which is why they can only be found in specialized technical facilities filled with electronic equipment.

Players need Cooling Fans to craft or upgrade basic Expedition equipment, and due to their rarity, collecting this resource often becomes one of the longest parts of preparing for journeys into dangerous zones.

Cooling Fans Location in ARC Raiders

Cooling Fans in ARC Raiders can mostly be found in technological areas where a lot of old electronic equipment remains. The most efficient places to search are the Space Travel Building in the Buried City zone (especially the 6th floor, which has many electrical cabinets) and Research & Administration on the Dam Battlegrounds map, where several such cabinets are located in technical rooms. Players should focus not on small containers or drawers, but on large metal or electrical cabinets that can be breached — these have the highest chance of containing a Cooling Fan.

This material is considered rare, so collecting the five fans required for the second phase of the Expedition may take several raids. It’s best to explore areas marked with Technological or Electrical tags, avoid crowded locations, and remember that Cooling Fans must be successfully extracted to count toward your progress.

How to Use Cooling Fans in ARC Raiders

Cooling Fans in ARC Raiders serve as a technological resource for the second phase of Expedition preparation — a system that allows players to send their Raiders on long-term missions. Once you collect the required number of fans (five), they can be used through the Expedition Prep Terminal at the base. There, Cooling Fans function as a component for crafting or upgrading Expedition equipment, unlocking new routes and improving mission success rates.

Additionally, Cooling Fans are sometimes used in crafting technological devices that enhance energy systems or equipment efficiency. If you lose the materials or fail to extract them after a raid, they won’t be counted — so make sure to complete your missions with a successful extraction. All collected fans are automatically stored in your resource inventory and can be used for various projects or exchanges related to Expeditions.