Windows 11 doesn’t show fan speed in Task Manager or Settings. To check it, install a free monitoring tool such as HWiNFO, open it in Sensors-only mode, and look for entries ending in RPM (revolutions per minute). You can also see fan speeds in your PC’s BIOS or UEFI hardware monitor, or in your laptop or motherboard maker’s own app.
Applies to: Windows 11 and Windows 10 desktops and laptops. What you can see depends on your hardware; many laptops don’t report fan speed at all. Last reviewed October 7, 2026.
Method 1: HWiNFO (works on most PCs)
- Download HWiNFO from its official site, hwinfo.com. The portable version needs no installation.
- Run it and tick Sensors-only, then select Start.
- Scroll the list for a section named after your motherboard or embedded controller. Fan readings appear in RPM, for example CPU Fan, System Fan 1 or GPU Fan.
- Watch the Current, Minimum and Maximum columns while you use the PC.
A fan showing 0 RPM is either stopped, not connected to a monitored header, or a GPU fan in “zero RPM” mode, which stops at low temperatures on purpose. Other free tools, such as HWMonitor, show the same information.
Method 2: The BIOS or UEFI
Desktop motherboards show fan speeds in their setup screens.
- Open Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
- Look for a page called Hardware Monitor, PC Health Status, Monitor or Q-Fan Control.
Here you can also set fan curves on most desktop boards. For other ways in, see how to access BIOS in Windows 11.
Method 3: Your laptop maker’s app
- ASUS: MyASUS or Armoury Crate (gaming models) shows fan modes and, on many models, RPM.
- Lenovo: Lenovo Vantage or Legion Space lets you choose thermal modes.
- HP: OMEN Gaming Hub on gaming laptops; other HP models offer performance modes in HP Command Center.
- Dell and Alienware: Dell Power Manager or Alienware Command Center.
- MSI: MSI Center.
Non-gaming laptops often only let you pick a mode, such as Quiet or Performance, without showing RPM.
Method 4: Your motherboard’s app (desktops)
Motherboard makers include monitoring apps: ASUS Armoury Crate, MSI Center, Gigabyte Control Center and ASRock Motherboard Utility. Install the one for your board from its support page to see and adjust fan speeds from Windows.
What’s a normal fan speed?
- CPU fan at idle: usually 500 to 1,200 RPM, rising to 1,500 to 2,500 RPM or more under load.
- Case fans: often 500 to 1,500 RPM.
- Laptop fans: spin faster because they’re small, often 2,000 to 5,000 RPM under load.
What matters more is temperature. If the fans are fast and loud but temperatures are fine, there’s no problem. If temperatures are high, see how to check PC temps in Windows 11.
Why fan speed goes up and down
Fans are controlled by temperature, not by a fixed setting. When you open a game, export a video or run a Windows update, the processor heats up and the fans speed up to cool it, then slow down again when the work finishes. The power mode also matters: Best performance in Settings > System > Power & battery lets the processor run hotter and faster, so the fans work harder, while Best power efficiency keeps them quieter.
Frequently asked questions
Can Task Manager show fan speed?
No. Task Manager shows CPU, memory, disk and GPU usage, and GPU temperature on some PCs, but not fan speeds.
Is it safe to install monitoring tools?
Tools like HWiNFO only read sensor data. Download them from the developer’s own website, and avoid “fan speed booster” apps, which are often adware.
Should I set my fans to 100% all the time?
There’s no need. It makes the PC louder and wears the fans faster. Let the automatic fan curve do its job, and only change it if temperatures stay high.
Troubleshooting
No fan readings appear
Some laptops and pre-built PCs don’t expose fan sensors to Windows. Check the maker’s app or the BIOS instead. Running HWiNFO as administrator and updating it to the latest version also helps.
The fan is always loud
Clean dust from the vents with compressed air, keep the laptop on a hard surface, and close heavy apps. To test the fans, see how to run a fan test on a Windows 11 laptop; to adjust them, see how to control fan speed.
A fan shows 0 RPM and the PC is hot
The fan may have failed or come unplugged. Shut down and check it, or contact the PC maker’s support.
Related: how to check CPU temperature in Windows 10.
Related: How to Adjust GPU Fan Speed on NVIDIA Cards in Windows 10.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.