4 Ways to Control Fan Speed on PC

Want to keep your PC running smoothly and quietly? Understanding how to control fan speed on Windows can be crucial, whether you’re trying to reduce noise or prevent overheating. While your computer’s fans automatically adjust speed based on system demands, you might sometimes want more control.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the built-in methods for managing fan speeds using the Control Panel and BIOS and explore some of the best fan control software options available. Read on to learn how to fine-tune your PC’s cooling system for optimal performance and comfort.

Basics to Know About PC Fans

It can be helpful to understand the kinds of fans that are in your PC, and what they do, before you learn how to control fan speed on Windows. Most fan controls are specific to the CPU, but knowing all the options can be handy if one of them malfunctions. Most PCs have the following fans: 

• CPU fans: These fans are located on the central processing unit. They move air away from the processor. They may also bring in cool air, as they move hot air that is blown out by the case fan.
• Case fans: They get rid of the hot air released into the PC casing by other fans, keeping it from overheating.
• GPU fans: These also bring cooler air into the PC, pushing hot air out, which will then be blown out by the case fan.
• PSU fans: These are for the power supply unit, which creates a lot of heat due to the heavy power demands on it. This fan moves cooler air into the PC and moves heat out.
• Laptop fans: This guide will be discussing PC fans, specifically, but it is worth noting that laptop fans work very differently, with fans usually beneath the laptop, blowing air inside.

How to Find out What Kind of CPU Fan You Have

This can be useful for troubleshooting or repair purposes. Here are the steps: 

1. Turn off your computer and unplug the power cable
2. Remove the PC panel on the left side (if you’re facing it), but look for screws to unscrew first
3. Locate your CPU cooler, which should have a fan on it with an attached cable. It is likely mounted on top of your CPU
4. Look for any model number, brand information, or other identification. This will help you research if there are particular steps to troubleshoot or replace that specific fan
5. If you’re having trouble identifying the CPU fan or it’s too difficult for you to see, contact the manufacturer of your PC for information. Be sure to have your PC model information so they can look up the corresponding hardware for you.

Simple Ways to Manage Fan Speed on a PC

If you want to learn how to control fan speed on PC Windows, be careful. If your PC or laptop overheats, you might permanently damage the hardware, so don’t set your fans too slow. There are several troubleshooting tactics to control your CPU fan speed. 

Method #1: Control Panel

By adjusting your laptop or PC’s power settings, you can lower the workload placed on your system. This means the fan doesn’t have to work as hard to keep everything cool, which improves performance. Here are the steps:

1. Search for Control Panel from the Start menu, then click it in the results.
2. Within Control Panel, search for Hardware and Sound then click on it.

3. Find and click Power Options and a new window will pop up.
4. Click Change plan Settings.

5. Click Change Advanced Power Settings and a new box opens
6. Go to Process Power Management and click the + sign to reveal options
7. Click System Cooling Policy and make sure it is set to Active
8. Save changes by clicking Apply and then Ok

Method #2: BIOS

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), is a program motherboards use to manage data between the computer’s OS (operating system) and attached devices, such as the keyboard, mouse, and printer. There’s a lot more to it, but for our purposes we’ll discuss how BIOS helps control fan speed. UEFI (unified extensible firmware interface) is very similar to BIOS but is found in newer computer models. It does mostly the same things, it’s just more advanced. For this article, we’ll be using the term BIOS, but UEFI could easily be substituted. 

Most BIOS allow you to see and adjust the speed of your CPU fan. Here’s how:

Warning: Always be careful when dealing with the BIOS utility. It’s easy to do something wrong and cause a huge headache for yourself. Follow these steps carefully and you’ll be fine.

1. Turn off your computer.

2. Turn your computer back on and repeatedly press whatever key launches the BIOS settings. Depending on the model of your system, the key might be different. Try F2, F10, F12, Delete, or ESC. You should be able to look up the exact key if you know your model information.

3. Find the menu that shows the settings for the fan. Every PC is different. It could be under Overclocking, Advanced, Hardware Monitor, PC Health, Fan Control, etc.

4. Find something along the lines of CPU Fan Speed Control, then toggle this to enabled if it isn’t already.

5. Select your desired fan speed, which is often expressed in a percentage, meaning 100 percent is maximum speed. Note: There are other fans in your system besides the CPU, such as a GPU (graphics processing unit) fan, etc.

6. Save your changes before leaving BIOS.

Method #3: Third-Party Software

Another method for how to control fan speed on Windows is through the use of a third-party app. Which one you use depends on your hardware and Windows version. There are all kinds of third-party apps out there that can help control your fan speed, so we’ve narrowed down the most popular and helpful options, but feel free to do your own research and pick what you think is best.

Here’s how to control fan speed on a PC using SpeedFan, which is said to work with really old Windows versions up through more modern ones, including Windows 10:

1. Install SpeedFan and run it.

2. Select Configure from the Readings tab.

3. Select the Fans tab and wait for the app to find and list your fans.

4. Select the fan you want to control.

5. Use the response curve to control the fan speed.

Tip: Fans turn on when your system heats up. The response curve maps heat with fan speed. The hotter the system runs, the faster the fans will run. Many of the software options will have response curves represented.

If SpeedFan isn’t the right fit for you, consider another free option, appropriately named Fan Control. This one works on Windows 11 and Windows 10. Follow these steps to use this portable fan control software:

1. Download and extract the contents of the ZIP download and open FanControl.exe from the folder.
2. Accept the default prompts that display upon opening the program.
3. Press the plus sign on the right and create a linear curve.
4. Name the fan curve and then select it. You’ll need the name later.
5. Choose Min. fan speed and then pick a percentage to set its idle speed, or click Max. fan speed. You can also set the temperature range.

6. Toward the top of the app, find the fan that corresponds with the fan in your computer, and press Enable to ensure it’s on.
7. Click the Selected fan curve menu and choose the name for the fan curve you just made. 

Method #4 Using the Manufacturer’s Proprietary Software

Depending on the model of your PC, some manufacturers have their own software that is designed to monitor their hardware, such as fan speeds and system temperatures. This is often called OEM (original equipment manufacturer) software.

Look into your PC model and type and see if there is software you can download to help you gain information about your fan speeds and internal temperatures. Your motherboard may also come with its own software for these purposes, so look into your make and model and see if there are any downloadable utilities. You may not be able to directly control the fan speeds this way, but at least you’ll have an idea of what is going on and why it may be overheating, if that is your problem.

Other Troubleshooting Methods

Other possibilities for how to control fan speed on PC Windows could include: 

• The fan itself being faulty, in which case you would simply need to swap it out if it can’t maintain the speeds you need it to
• If your system sensors are misreading the temperatures of your PC, the fans may not be at the right speed for the actual temperature needs. Look for third party software or other solutions to see if your temperatures are being misread by the standard sensors
• If applicable, see if the thermal paste has degraded or needs to be reapplied. This will help to keep the CPU cooler and negate the need for the fan to work as hard
• Contact customer support from your PC manufacturer. They may have some insight into common malfunctions or next-steps

Why is it Important to Manage Fan Speed on PC?

Managing a PC’s fan speed is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and longevity of your hardware components. When your computer’s internal temperature rises, which is common during intense gaming or heavy processing tasks, fans work harder to cool down the system. By controlling fan speed, you can ensure that your computer remains at a safe temperature, preventing overheating that could otherwise mean damage for your hardware or cause unwanted instability.

Effective fan management also contributes to a quieter overall experience. If your fans are running at full speed constantly, they can be quite noisy, which might be distracting or annoying. By adjusting fan speeds based on the actual temperature needs, you can reduce unnecessary noise, making your PC quieter when it’s not under heavy load and only ramping up when necessary.

Proper PC fan speed also helps with energy efficiency. Fans that run at full speed all the time consume more power, which can lead to higher energy bills and increased wear and tear on the fan itself. Optimizing its speed to align with your PC’s temperature requirements not only means extending the lifespan of your components, but it also helps manage your energy consumption.

Tip: Depending on the type of computer you have, it might be possible to easily remove the case and access the fan yourself for cleaning. You’ll need to be very careful not to disturb any other components, and if you’re not comfortable, you can find a professional to do so for you. If you’re feeling brave, however, use compressed air or a soft cloth to eliminate debris, dust, or even animal hair, as the case may be. Eliminating debris improves fan function.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fan Speed for PC

• How do I control the RPM of my computer fan?

To control the RPM of your computer fan, adjust settings in your BIOS/UEFI or use software like SpeedFan, HWiNFo, or MSI Afterburner.

• What is the best fan curve for CPU temp?

The best fan curve for CPU temperature typically increases fan speed as the temperature rises, starting from a lower speed at idle and ramping up to maximum as temperatures approach the CPU’s thermal limits.

• Why is my CPU fan so loud?

Your CPU fan may be loud due to dust buildup or high speeds, or because it’s running at maximum RPM to cool a high-temperature CPU.

• Why does my PC fan speed automatically increase? 

If you have unexplained fan speed increases, wait until this happens again and then open Task Manager by pressing the Control + Shift + Escape keys. From there, look at the currently running programs and processes and see if there is a culprit for excess CPU usage or similar resource drains. It could be an app or demanding software that is putting a strain on the system.

There could be other processes running in the background that causes the fan speed to increase without obvious explanation. Think antivirus scans, updates, and other applications that suck up a lot of resources. 

• How do I reduce the temperature of my CPU?

We already covered checking the thermal paste and cleaning out dust and debris from the PC, but here are some additional possible fixes for reducing your CPU temperature: 

• Put your PC somewhere with better ventilation. If it’s in an enclosed cabinet or space without airflow, this could cause it to overheat and overwork your fan
• For better ventilation, you could try taking off your PC’s side panel and see if this increased air exposure fixes the problem
• Make sure the heatsink is positioned correctly, otherwise the CPU will not get the full cooling benefit
• Replace your CPU cooler if necessary

• Can overclocking cause issues with fan speed?

Absolutely. Overclocking is a way to improve your PC performance by intentionally pushing the default clock speed of the CPU past the manufacturer’s parameters. This boosts PC performance, allowing somewhat outdated computers to improve their response times and functions. It’s especially common for PC gamers who don’t have the best CPU for gaming to get the most out of their system. Unfortunately, it can also lead to increased heat production and other CPU strains. If you’ve started having issues after overclocking your PC, try returning to default settings and see if that resolves the fan problem.