How to change CPU fan speed without BIOS? You may be worried. So, what’s next? To cool down your CPU, increase fan speed if your system is overheated. However, overheating isn’t the only reason you’ll require fan speed control. If your fans are running at full speed for no apparent reason, you may need to slow them down using one of the methods in this guide. Using third-party software designed to handle your PC fans, you can modify the speed of your CPU fan. Your computer’s BIOS failed to change the CPU fan speed? It’s not a major issue. Read this comprehensive instruction to do the job without using BIOS.
A CPU fan is one of the most important components in ensuring that your computer runs smoothly. The ability to adjust the CPU fan will aid in keeping your system cool and silent.
When playing games or utilizing demanding software, you may find that your PC overheats or becomes too loud. These are some of the issues that can develop if you don’t have control over the speed of your CPU fan. Most users prefer to modify the fan speed of their CPU in BIOS. It is the most commonly advised strategy, however, it does not always work.
These strategies might work for you if you’re having trouble slowing down or raising CPU fan speed. The following steps will show you how to modify the CPU fan speed without using the BIOS.
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Easy & Safe Way To Change CPU Fan Speed With BIOS
It’s in the BIOS that you can alter all the non-default settings, such as the CPU fan (speed) and many other things.
However, BIOS does not always function as planned. This could be due to one of two things: either the BIOS gets messed up, or the BIOS gets messed up. Yes, this does occur. Say you notice your system is growing hotter and go to BIOS to increase the fan(s) speed, but you run into a roadblock because BIOS won’t let you make the changes or because you find this manual configuration to be a difficult approach to play with.
That’s when you’ll have to switch to alternate methods. What? How? Here’s a rundown of everything.
Easy & Safe Way to Change CPU Fan Speed Without BIOS
When you’re in this situation, there are just two options. Yes, if you want to take a different route, here’s how to manage your CPU fan speed.
- Use software to control the fans
- Use an external fan controller
Before we get into these two approaches, here’s a quick tip for Windows 10 users.
Use a Control Panel
Besides the two techniques listed above, if you have Windows 10, you have an additional program to improve the performance of your fan(s).
Windows 10 includes a fan control option that you may access through the control panel. This is how it goes.
- Open the “Control Panel” and select “Power Options” from the drop-down menu. The “Power Options” menu can be found either in the “Control Panel” or in the “Hardware and Sound” menu. Alternatively, type it into the search window over there.
- Click “Change Plan Settings” and then “Change Advanced Power Settings” in the new window. A new window called “Power Options” will appear.
- Scroll down to “Processor Power Management” from the several options in that new window. When you double-click it, a new chip drop-down settings menu will emerge.
- Double-click the “System cooling policy” from the drop-down list.
- Select “Active” from the new drop-down menu for both the battery and the plug options.
After that, click “Apply” and then “Ok.” In both cases, this will result in a higher fan control speed and, as a result, a lower heat accumulation.
With Control Software
This software is one-touch go-to ways where reaching out to BIOS and making the configuration is a lengthy and inconvenient process.
They keep a watch on the processors’ operations, temperatures, and so on, and instinctively take action when necessary. If the processor(s) become too hot, the program will raise the fan(s) speed until the temperature returns to normal. In the other scenario, it’s the opposite way around.
Windows & Mac Control Software
There is a lot of similar software on the market. For Windows, some of the more well-known ones are “SpeedFan,” “Real Temp,” “HW Monitor,” “HWiNFO,” “Notebook FanControl,” and so on.
The most often used/recommended fan configuration management software for Mac OS is “iSTAT Menus” and “smcFanControl,” among others.
How it Works
Although this varies depending on the software, separate software has distinct usage jargon, etc. Still, let me talk about SpeedFan, which is one of the most widely used and, in some ways, pioneer fan/heat optimization software.
Fan Speed
As previously stated, SpeedFan is an industry-standard fan control program. Unlike any other similar service, you will receive additional benefits and advantages here.
It can be difficult for a novice or inexperienced person to set it up. As a result, here is a step-by-step tutorial on getting the app up and running.
And, before we get into the meat of the matter, here’s a bonus idea. Because this software isn’t compatible with every system, make sure to double-check its compatibility with yours.
So, let’s look at how to modify CPU fan speed without using the BIOS – using SpeedFan.
Set up Installation
The first step is to go to SpeedFan’s official website and hunt for and download the legitimate software. So, get it from the official website, install it, and enjoy. Allow it to complete a thorough scan of your computer/laptop.
After all the buses have been scanned and rippled, the application’s main menu will display all of your system information. Everything will be there, including processor fan RPMs, temps, CPU/GPU/Chipset details, SSD/HDD statistics, and so on.
Examine each term, each label, and make sure you understand them. Make sure you understand what each term means.
Interfere with some Controls
Have you completed all the preliminary setups? Let’s get started fiddling with things now.
However, there is an unchecked “Automatic Fan Speed” button that you may click to allow the program to manage and control things on its own.
However, keep in mind that this auto-setup frequently fails to deliver good results. That’s why you’d have to do some manual setups regardless. This isn’t to say that you should simply increase or reduce the PWM nubs and be done with it.
- Just above the “Automatic Fan Speed” button, click the “Configure” button.
- Select the “Advanced” tab in the new window. There’s a chip drop-down menu called “Chip” that shows all the buses on your chipset.
- Look for your PWMs in the drop-down selection. If you’re not sure where your PWMs are, try clicking on each of the drop-list entries. You’ll ultimately find them if you look hard enough.
- Select the PWMs you want to configure/control once you’ve located them.
- Select the one you wish to control (PWM) > Select “Set to” from the drop-down menu. You’ll notice settings like “On/Off,” “Manual,” and “Smart Guardian,” among others.
Automatic Fan Control Setup
The last section discussed how to manually adjust and control the speeds of your fan(s). It’s time to set up an autonomous control system this time. So, here’s how it’s done, bit by bit.
You’ll need to go back into the “Configure” menu for this. Navigate to the “Speeds” tab by clicking the “Configure” button.
You’ll be able to set the fan’s minimum and maximum RPMs there (s).
So, under the “Speeds” page, establish the RPM figures, then go to the “Fan Control” tab to set up and design an ideal temperature curve (for the fan(s)).
After you’ve determined your optimal temperature limit, investigate its impacts (both good and negative) on your system. To see if the adjustments are beneficial (and performing effectively), try loading up the system with some heavy programs (i.e. heavy use).
- If you don’t save all of your settings (changes), you’ll have to start over from the beginning.
- Then, under the “Temperatures” tab, specify when your processors’ fans must speed up or slow down in response to (a certain) CPU/GPU temperature.
- After that, select the specific sensor that will control them from the list of sensors in the Temperature Configuration menu, such as CPU for the CPU’s fan(s), and so on.
External Fan Controller
Don’t worry if the first way failed and none of the software worked for you for any reason. If you’re stumped about how to modify CPU fan speed without using BIOS, the second option is to use an external fan controller. You can use these controllers outside of BIOS for fan controls, etc., and they pretty well do the job.
A manual fan(s) control method is also possible using an external controller. It allows you to monitor the temperature of your computer and manually start/stop or increase/decrease the fan(s) working/speed as needed.
Conclusion
Checking and changing your processor’s fan(s) is critical to the overall health of your system. This entire configuration (fans turning off while the computer is under low load, fan(s) roaring up when the machine is overloaded) must be very properly stated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my CPU fan speed manually?
Scroll through the BIOS menu with your arrow keys to the “Monitor,” “Status,” or other similarly titled submenu (this will also vary slightly by manufacturer). To access the fan controls, go to the submenu and select “Fan Speed Control.”
How do I change my CPU fan speed in BIOS?
To see or adjust the system fan controller settings, follow these steps:
During startup, press F2 to enter BIOS Setup.
Cooling is the option to choose.
The CPU Fan Header window displays fan settings.
To leave BIOS Setup, press F10.
Is PWM or DC better?
PWM fans are 4-pin fans where the fourth wire sends a PWM signal to the fan motor.
