Arc Raiders: Where to Find Cooling Fans

Cooling fans are a valuable resource you can discover while playing ARC Raiders, and they play an important role in your overall progression. These items are required when you want to upgrade your Expedition from the Core Systems stage to Framework. While you don’t need a massive amount of cooling fans, actually locating them can be surprisingly difficult if you don’t know where to look. This page explains exactly where you should go to find cooling fans during an ARC Raiders match, based on consistent loot patterns and hands-on experience from Gamer Choice.

Cooling Fan Locations in ARC Raiders

The Cooling Fan is classified as a Technological item in ARC Raiders. Because of this, you’ll want to prioritize areas across the maps that have a higher chance of spawning Technological loot. Cooling fans can appear in multiple locations, but your odds improve significantly if you focus on areas known for technological drops rather than general loot zones.

There are three primary maps where you have a strong chance of tracking down cooling fans: Dam Battlegrounds, the Spaceport, and Stella Montis. Out of these options, Stella Montis is by far the most dangerous, as it is considered an end-game location. That said, the risk is balanced by reward, and you can often find several cooling fans on this map if you manage to survive long enough to loot effectively.

It’s also possible to find cooling fans on other maps. Any location marked with the Technological symbol has a chance to spawn one. However, the areas listed below are the most reliable based on how frequently Gamer Choice was able to loot cooling fans during repeated runs.

You should also pay close attention to a specific type of loot container. These typically look like large metal cabinets or computer server lockers and can appear in different colors depending on the map. For example, on Stella Montis they are usually blue, while on other maps they often appear yellow. You’ll need to use the breach action to open these containers, but they have a strong chance of containing cooling fans.

Dam Battlegrounds Cooling Fan Locations

On Dam Battlegrounds, the most reliable places to search for cooling fans are the Control Tower and the Research & Administration buildings. These structures sit near the center of the map and are known for spawning Technological loot. Both locations provide multiple opportunities for cooling fans to appear.

The entire area is classified as a High Value Loot zone, which means you should expect frequent ARC patrols and heavy player traffic. If you’re able to access even a single section of these buildings, there’s a solid chance that a cooling fan will spawn somewhere inside. Entry can be challenging, but there is at least one entrance on each side of the structure, including the north, south, east, and west.

Keep in mind that breaching containers makes a lot of noise. When you’re opening these lockers in search of cooling fans, be prepared for nearby players or ARCs to investigate. Try to position yourself with your back against a wall when possible and stay alert while looting.

Spaceport Cooling Fan Locations

The Spaceport is another excellent map for farming cooling fans, offering more viable locations than Dam Battlegrounds. You’ll want to focus your search on the Arrival Building, South Trench Tower, North Trench Tower, as well as the central structures such as the Departure Building, Launch Towers, and Control Tower A6.

The central area of the Spaceport has a strong chance of spawning cooling fans, but it comes with significant risk. Reaching these buildings often requires crossing wide, open spaces where you’re exposed to both ARCs and other players. Several patrol routes overlap in this area, making stealth more difficult.

If you’re aiming to extract safely with cooling fans, try to move quickly and favor the outer edges of the map when possible. Reducing noise and avoiding prolonged fights can make a big difference when attempting to leave the Spaceport with valuable Technological loot.

Stella Montis Cooling Fan Locations

Stella Montis offers one of the highest chances to find cooling fans, but it’s also the most unforgiving environment. Technological loot can spawn on every floor of the map, and cooling fans may appear well beyond the standard loot locations. However, the most reliable areas to check are on the bottom floor, particularly the Assembly and Assembly Workshop, Medical Research, Communications, and the Lobby.

Most of these locations are heavily contested, as players constantly move through the map searching for high-tier loot. The Assembly area can be especially brutal early on, while the Communications section is slightly more isolated and may give you a brief window to loot. Medical Research and the Lobby are extremely dangerous, but they also offer excellent rewards, including a higher chance of cooling fans.

You can also find Technological loot points on the upper levels of Stella Montis, specifically in the Sandbox and Lobby Metro. The Lobby Metro is a compact area that you might be able to loot quickly before catching a train to extract. The Sandbox, on the other hand, is extremely risky due to the presence of multiple Shredder ARCs that patrol the area nonstop.

These upper-level zones should generally be considered a last resort when searching for cooling fans. The bottom-floor areas provide better odds overall and are usually the most efficient places to focus your efforts.