Change CPU Fan Speed Without BIOS [Control Heat & Noise]

Written By Steven Arends

By default, your motherboard controls your PC’s fan speed to keep the heat at bay. But if you are a heavy-duty gamer or tired of the fan noise, you need to tweak the RPM manually.

You can change your PC fan speed from BIOS, but it’s risky. However, there are some excellent and effective ways to control PC fans without entering BIOS.change-cpu-fan-speed-without-bios

This guide will show you the best way to change your CPU fan speed without entering the BIOS. So without further due, let’s jump in.

How to Change CPU Fan Speed Without Bios

You can easily control your CPU’s Fan speed using some software. But If you don’t like to put your CPU’s fan control to any 3rd-party application, you can insert External Fan Controllers in your PC case. Most desktop PCs support Fan Controller, but you can’t use it on laptops.

This section will give you the proper steps for each method to tweak the CPU fan. However, plug-in case fans correctly and choose the right fan directions.

Otherwise, your hardware will get excessive temperatures. Let’s see how to tweak the CPU fan speed.

Here are the steps to tweak CPU fan speed without BIOS:

1. Use a Fan Control Software

There are various apps, like SpeedFan, Argus Monitor, Notebook FanControl, etc., to control your fan speed. Among them, the SpeedFan app is the most used and easiest to control Fan controlling app for PC. But it won’t work on the laptop properly. You should use Notebook FanControl for Laptops.

This portion will show you how to control your CPU fan using SpeedFan and your laptop fan using Notebook FanControl.

Follow the steps below to control your fan speed:

For SpeedFan

  • Download SpeedFan app and install it on your PC.
  • Go to the Readings tab and click the Configure button. speed-fan-configure
  • Click on the Advanced tab and select the Chip drop-down menu.
  • Choose the option that starts with IT and ends with ISA. (It varies for the different motherboards)
  • Select PWM 1 mode, PWM 2 mode, or other PWM modes. (This app only shows fans connected through PWM)
  • Go to the Set to menu and choose Manual. speed-fan-select-board-and fan-manual
  • Hit the OK button.
  • Click on the CPU fan’s speed-controlling dialogue box’s arrow up-down button to increase or decrease the fan speed percentage. manually-up-and-down-fan-speed

For Notebook FanControl

  • Download Notebook FanControl and install it.
  • Choose your Laptop model in the Select config section.
  • Set Enable for the fan control service status.
  • Choose your target fan speed percentages. notebook-fancontrol

Nowadays, most companies develop apps for gaming laptops, like Asus’s armory crate MSI Dragon Center, etc. If your laptop manufacturer has a unique app to control the fan speed, you should also try that application.

Note: if you enable secure boot while using notebook fan control you may face issues like the app won’t work properly or getting an error boot message in your PC. So make sure to disable it.

2. Use External Fan Controllers

An external fan controller is an easy alternative to increase RPM if you don’t like software tweaking. Fan Controllers keep your computer from overheating and are easy to use.

External Fan Controllers are available in different sizes, shapes, and prices. You just need to plug it into the outside of your computer and turn it on when needed.

But if you can’t control your PC’s temperature even after increasing the fan speed, it’s high time to replace the fans on your CPU cooler.

3. Use The Control Panel

You can also use the control panel to tweak some CPU fan settings. But the settings in the control panel give you minimal control over CPU fans.

In this portion, I will show you how to change the CPU fan settings using the control panel. Let’s see how to do it.

 To change the CPU fan settings from the control panel, follow the steps below:

  • Go to Control panel > System and security > Power options.
  • Click on the Change plan settings and select Change Advanced power settings.
  • Scroll down to the Process Power Management option and double-click on it.
  • Double-click on the system cooling policy.
  • Select active or passive for Plugged-in and On Battery as your need.
  • Click Apply, then OK to save the changes. process-power-management

If you want more control over the CPU fans and their optimum speed, check the complete CPU fan RPM guide.

How to Make your CPU Cool

Heat is the main enemy of your PC components. As long as you maintain a steady temperature in your PC, the lifespan of your components will increase, and they will work better.

This section will give tips and tricks to keep your PC cool. Let’s see how to do it.

Here are the tips and tricks to maintain your CPU temperature:

  • You should run your PC in a Cold and dust-free environment. It will help you to keep the heat at bay.
  • You should change or upgrade every few years. Investing in a Water Cooler will have a positive effect on your PC.
  • Your PC case has vents in the back to maintain proper and sufficient airflow. So always Unblock the Vents of your pc case.
  • When the thermal paste gets old and dry, you’ll face CPU temperature issues. That’s why you should reapply thermal paste over time.
  • You need to clean your CPU fans regularly to avoid any heating issues.

These are some essential tips and tricks to control your CPU temperature. Follow them to increase the lifespan of your components.

Here’s a complete guide on how to fix CPU fan not spinning.

FAQs

What speed is good for your CPU fan?

You can consider your fan speed optimal when your PC cools enough, and the fans aren’t too loud. The fan’s RPM may differ depending on your processor model or company.

Can HWMonitor control fan speed?

No. The HWMonitor only shows your PC’s fan speed, system power usage, processor voltage, CPU temperature, GPU temperature & watts, etc. It can’t tweak any fan settings.

Does the Motherboard automatically control fan speed?

Yes, most motherboards have hardware monitoring chips that can perform fan control. Usually, your motherboard controls PC fans through the PWM method.

Can a fan damage a PC?

Yes, any broken or defective fan can overheat your computer. And the overheating damages internal components like the CPU, video card, hard drive, and motherboard.

Conclusion

Like every electronic device, your PC generates heat as you use it. And the fans of your PC keep that heats at bay. You can Change CPU Fan Speed with software or external fan controllers if you don’t like tweaking the settings of BIOS. Follow any method you wish.

After reading the article, I’m sure you know all the methods to control your CPU Fan Speed without entering the BIOS. Comment if you face any difficulties executing the steps. Peace!

About The Author
Steven Arends is a computer science graduate and tech enthusiast with over 10 years of experience in the field. He has a vast collection of computer hardware and loves exploring the latest advancements. As a contributing author to 10Scopes, Steven shares his expertise to make the world of technology more accessible and easier to understand for all readers.

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