How to Change Your PC Fan Speed

Where to find fan speed controls on your PC

Fan speed controls live in one of three places: your BIOS (the firmware that runs before Windows loads), your motherboard's control software, or third-party fan management programs. Which one you use depends on what hardware you have and how much control you want.

The easiest route is usually your motherboard manufacturer's software — companies like ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, and ASRock all bundle fan control utilities with their boards. If you built your PC yourself, you likely have this software already. If you bought a pre-built machine from Dell, HP, or Lenovo, the controls might be locked down or missing entirely, and you may need to use BIOS instead.

Key Takeaways

Motherboard control software (like ASUS Fan Xpert or MSI Dragon Center) is the simplest way to adjust fan speed without restarting your PC.
BIOS settings give you more control but require restarting your computer and navigating unfamiliar menus — use this only if your motherboard software is unavailable.
Third-party programs like SpeedFan or HWiNFO can read fan speeds and temperatures but may not control all fans, especially on newer systems.
Setting fans to a fixed percentage (like 50%) is safer than letting automatic mode run too hot, but will make your PC louder at idle.
Check your motherboard model before you start — you can find it in Windows by opening System Information or by looking at the board itself if your case is open.

Using your motherboard's control software

Start by identifying your motherboard model. Open the Windows Start menu, type "System Information", and look for "BaseBoard Product" — that is your motherboard. Write it down, then search for "[your model] fan control" online to find the right software.

Download the fan control utility from your motherboard maker's website, not from a third-party site. ASUS boards use Fan Xpert (part of AI Suite), MSI boards use Dragon Center or MPG Dragon Center, Gigabyte uses App Center or Control Center, and ASRock uses Fan-Tastic Tuning. Install the software, restart if prompted, then open it.

Most of these programs show you your current fan speeds and CPU or GPU temperatures in real time. Look for a tab or section labeled "Fan" or "Cooling". You will usually see options to set each fan to automatic (the default), a fixed percentage (like 50% or 70%), or a custom curve that ramps speed up as temperature rises. Automatic mode is safest — it adjusts fans based on temperature — but if your PC is running hot or loud, switching to a fixed percentage gives you direct control.

Adjusting fans through BIOS

Use BIOS only if your motherboard software is unavailable or will not let you change fan speed. BIOS changes take effect immediately but require you to restart your PC and navigate menus that vary wildly between manufacturers.

Restart your PC and watch the boot screen. You will see a message like "Press DEL to enter Setup" or "Press F2 to enter BIOS" — the key varies by board. Press it before Windows loads. You are now in BIOS, a text-based menu system that looks nothing like Windows.

Look for a tab or menu item labeled "Monitor", "Hardware Monitor", "Cooling", or "Fan". The exact name depends on your motherboard. Inside, you should see entries for each fan (CPU Fan, Chassis Fan 1, etc.) with options to set them to PWM (automatic), DC (fixed voltage), or a percentage. Set the mode you want, then save and exit — usually by pressing F10 and confirming.

If you cannot find fan controls in BIOS, your motherboard may not support them, or they may be hidden in an advanced menu. Check your motherboard manual online — search "[your model] manual PDF" — and look for the cooling or fan section.

Using third-party fan control programs

Programs like SpeedFan and HWiNFO can read fan speeds and temperatures without needing motherboard software, but they cannot always control all fans. Use these only if your motherboard software is missing and BIOS controls are not available.

SpeedFan is free and runs on older and newer systems, though it may not recognize all fans on recent boards. HWiNFO is also free and shows detailed hardware information, including fan speeds, but its fan control is limited. Download from the official website (not a software bundle site), install, and open the program. Look for a "Fans" section showing your current speeds. If there is a control option, it will usually appear as a slider or percentage field next to each fan.

These programs work best on older PCs. Newer motherboards often lock fan control to their own software for safety reasons, so third-party programs may show speeds but not let you change them. If the slider is greyed out or does not respond, your board does not allow third-party control — go back to your motherboard software or BIOS.

Understanding fan curves and automatic modes

Most fan control software lets you set a fan curve — a rule that says "at 40°C, run at 30%, at 60°C, run at 80%". This keeps your PC quiet when it is cool and spins fans faster when it heats up. Automatic mode usually comes with a preset curve that the motherboard maker tuned for your hardware.

If you want to create your own curve, start conservative: set the fan to 30% at 40°C and 100% at 80°C. Test it by running a demanding program (like a video game or stress test) and watch the temperature. If it climbs above 80°C, lower the temperature thresholds or raise the percentages. If it stays cool and quiet, you have found a good balance.

Do not set fans below 20% or above 100% — fans below 20% may not spin reliably, and 100% is already the maximum. Also avoid setting a curve that jumps suddenly (like 30% at 50°C, then 90% at 51°C) because the fan will constantly speed up and slow down, which is noisy and wears the bearing faster.

Troubleshooting when fans will not change speed

If you have set a new fan speed but nothing happens, check these things in order. First, make sure you actually saved the change — most programs require you to click "Apply" or "OK" after adjusting a slider. Second, restart your PC. Some motherboards do not apply fan changes until the next boot.

Third, check that the fan is plugged into the right header on the motherboard. CPU fans must plug into the CPU Fan header (usually labeled CPU_FAN), and case fans go into chassis fan headers (CHA_FAN, SYS_FAN, etc.). If a fan is plugged into a header that your software does not control, changing the setting will have no effect. Open your case and look at the motherboard — headers are small plastic connectors near the edge. Check your motherboard manual to find which headers your software controls.

Fourth, some pre-built PCs (especially from Dell or HP) have locked BIOS settings that prevent fan control. If you cannot find fan options in BIOS or your motherboard software, contact the manufacturer to ask if fan control is available on your model.

When to change fan speed and what to expect

Change your fan speed if your PC is running too hot (above 80°C under load), too loud (fans spinning at 100% constantly), or both. If temperatures are normal (below 75°C under load) and noise is acceptable, leave automatic mode alone — it is tuned for your hardware.

Expect that lower fan speeds mean higher temperatures and longer component life, but also more heat in your case. Higher fan speeds mean lower temperatures and faster cooling, but more noise and slightly more power draw. There is no "right" speed — it depends on whether you care more about quiet or cool.

If you set a fixed percentage (like 50%), your fans will run at that speed all the time, even when your PC is idle. This keeps temperatures consistent but makes your PC noticeably louder. A fan curve is usually better because it ramps speed up only when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I damage my PC by changing fan speed?

No, as long as you do not set fans below 20% or above 100%. Low speeds may cause overheating if your PC is under heavy load, but the motherboard will throttle (slow down) the CPU to prevent damage. High speeds just make fans wear out faster.

Why is my fan speed not changing in BIOS?

BIOS fan controls only work if your fans are plugged into headers that support PWM (pulse-width modulation). Older fans or fans plugged into non-PWM headers will not respond. Check your motherboard manual to see which headers support PWM, and move the fan if needed.

Should I use automatic mode or set a fixed speed?

Automatic mode is best for most people — it adjusts fans based on temperature and keeps your PC quiet at idle. Use a fixed speed only if automatic mode is not available or if you want consistent noise levels regardless of temperature.

What temperature should my fans spin faster at?

Most people set fans to ramp up around 50–60°C and reach 100% by 80°C. This keeps temperatures under control without constant fan noise. If your PC runs hotter than 85°C under load, lower these thresholds or raise the percentages.

Can I control RGB lighting at the same time as fan speed?

Yes, most motherboard software controls both fans and RGB lighting in the same program. Look for separate tabs or sections for "Cooling" and "Lighting" in your motherboard maker's utility.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.