3 Ways to Control Fan Speed on PC

Want to keep your PC running smoothly and quietly? Understanding how to control fan speed on a PC 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.

3 Simple Ways to Manage Fan Speed on a PC

If you want to control the fan speed on Windows 10 and 11, be careful. If your PC or laptop overheats, you might permanently damage the hardware. There are several troubleshooting tactics to control your CPU fan speed. With Windows 10 and 11, these will be very similar, so they should work for either version. 

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 Power Options and then select it.

3. Select Power saver, or whatever your PC calls the plan designed to reduce system performance or optimize battery life.

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

You can control fan speed on a PC without BIOS 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 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. 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. 

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.