How to Run a Fan Test on a Windows 11 Laptop

To run a fan test on a Windows 11 laptop, use the hardware diagnostics from the company that made the laptop; the fan test comes from the maker, not from Windows 11 itself. On a Dell, restart, press F12 at the Dell logo and choose Diagnostics. On an HP, restart and press Esc, then F2, to open HP PC Hardware Diagnostics and run the Fan Test. On an ASUS, open MyASUS > System Diagnosis, check Fan and click Checkup. On a Lenovo ThinkPad, press F10 at startup to open the UEFI Diagnostics tool and run the Fan module.

Applies to: Windows 11 laptops from Dell, HP, Lenovo and ASUS, plus Microsoft Surface.

What a fan test does, and what to expect

A fan test is a hardware diagnostic that the laptop maker builds for its own machines. It commands the fan to spin up and checks whether the fan responds the way it should. Because the maker knows which fan and sensors your model uses, its test is the result support staff ask for when you report a cooling problem.

A few things are normal during and before a test:

• The fan gets loud. The MyASUS fan diagnosis briefly pushes the fan to its physical maximum speed. During Dell’s preboot tests, the processor runs at full speed, so the fans will likely run fast the whole time.
• A silent fan at idle is not a fault. On ASUS laptops, for example, the fan stays off until the system reaches a certain temperature, so silence while you read email doesn’t mean the fan is broken.
• Some tests run outside Windows. Preboot (UEFI) diagnostics start before Windows loads, so save your work and close your apps before you restart.

Before you start, plug the laptop into its charger. Lenovo’s guide asks you to connect AC power before running its UEFI diagnostics, and it’s a sensible habit for any long test. Put the laptop on a hard, flat surface so the vents aren’t blocked.

Which fan test to use for your laptop

Laptop brand	Tool	How to start it
Dell	Preboot diagnostics (ePSA) or SupportAssist	Press F12 at the Dell logo, then select Diagnostics; or search for SupportAssist in Windows
HP	HP PC Hardware Diagnostics	Restart and press Esc, then F2
Lenovo ThinkPad	Lenovo UEFI Diagnostics	Press F10 right after turning the laptop on
Lenovo IdeaPad	Lenovo UEFI Diagnostics (no Fan module listed)	Open the Novo button menu and select Lenovo UEFI Diagnostics
ASUS	MyASUS Diagnostic Tool	MyASUS > System Diagnosis
Microsoft Surface	Surface app and Microsoft support	No separate fan test is described in Microsoft’s fan guidance

How to run a fan test on a Dell laptop

Dell’s preboot diagnostics let you test the fans on their own. Dell calls this tool ePSA in its fan troubleshooting article.

1. Restart the laptop and press F12 as soon as the Dell logo appears. The One-time Boot Menu opens.
2. Select Diagnostics. This runs the Quick Test. If it reports a failure, write down the error code and the validation code before you go further.
3. Select ADVANCED TEST to choose individual components instead of the whole system.
4. Clear the checkmark next to Select All, then select the fan entries in the list.
5. Select Thorough, then RUN TEST. Expect the fans to spin fast while the test runs.
6. Read the result. If the fan test fails, record the error code and validation code. If it passes, the fan hardware responded correctly, and you can move on to the heat and noise fixes later in this guide.

Use SupportAssist instead (from inside Windows)

If you’d rather not restart into the boot menu, Dell’s SupportAssist app runs a hardware scan from Windows 11. Type SupportAssist in the search box and open it. On the Home tab, select Scan Hardware, then Start. When the scan ends, open the History page and select Details to see any failures. If SupportAssist isn’t installed, download it from Dell; installing it requires administrator rights. Dell’s full procedure is in its article on how to troubleshoot fan issues.

How to run a fan test on an HP laptop

1. Save your work and restart the laptop.
2. Press Esc as it starts, then press F2 to open the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics menu.
3. Run the Fan Test. You can also run the System Extensive Test, which checks the rest of the hardware and takes much longer.
4. Note any failure ID. When a test fails, the tool shows a 24-digit failure ID code. Enter that code, your product number and your location on HP’s HP PC Hardware Diagnostics page to start a repair.

For a fuller picture, run the diagnostics under different temperature conditions, for example once when the laptop is cool and again after it has been working hard. The HP steps above follow HP’s guide to fixing a noisy laptop fan. HP also offers a Windows version of HP PC Hardware Diagnostics for Windows 10 and 11, which comes preinstalled on new HP computers and can be downloaded from the same HP page.

How to run a fan test on a Lenovo laptop

Lenovo’s UEFI diagnostics include a Fan module, but it’s listed as available on ThinkPad systems only. On other Lenovo models you can still run the other hardware tests, just not a dedicated fan test.

1. Connect the laptop to AC power.
2. Start the diagnostics. On a ThinkPad, turn the laptop on and press F10 immediately to enter the UEFI Diagnostics tool. On an IdeaPad, open the Novo button menu and select Lenovo UEFI Diagnostics.
3. Choose the Fan module under Diagnostics, select Quick, and confirm. Use the arrow keys to move, Space to select and Enter to confirm.
4. Read the status. Each test reports a status such as PASSED, WARNING or FAILED. A WARNING means the tool found signs you should know about, such as a possible upcoming failure.
5. Press Esc to exit. The laptop restarts right away.

Every run also produces a Final Result Code and a QR code that identify what was tested. Keep a photo of that screen if you plan to contact Lenovo. From Windows, you can also open the Lenovo Vantage app, select Hardware scan, and choose QUICK SCAN or CUSTOMIZE. Both routes are on the diagnostics tool page of Lenovo’s ThinkPad user guide.

How to run a fan test on an ASUS laptop

1. Type MyASUS in the Windows search bar and click Open.
2. Click System Diagnosis.
3. In the Diagnostic Tool section, check Fan under customized diagnosis.
4. Click Checkup. The fan briefly runs at its maximum speed while MyASUS checks it.
5. Review the result. If MyASUS finds a problem, take the laptop to an ASUS service center.

Some ASUS models don’t offer this diagnosis, and a few, such as the T100 series, are passively cooled and have no fan at all. On ASUS gaming laptops, a manual 100% fan setting in Armoury Crate can show a lower RPM than the MyASUS diagnosis maximum. That’s normal, and the MyASUS fan diagnosis is the reading to use when judging fan health. Details are in ASUS’s overheating and fan troubleshooting FAQ.

Microsoft Surface and other brands

Microsoft’s guidance on Surface fan behavior and fan noise doesn’t describe a fan test. Instead, it covers power mode, Task Manager and updates through the Surface app (open Help & support, then Check for updates). If you hear grinding, whining or ticking, Microsoft treats that as a possible hardware problem; select Get Help in the Surface app for support and repair options.

For any other brand, go to the maker’s support site, enter your model, and look for its hardware diagnostics download. If your laptop maker offers no fan test, the quick checks below and the maker’s support line are your next steps. Running hardware diagnostics on Windows 11 gives a broader look at the tools Windows 11 and laptop makers provide.

Quick checks that don’t need a diagnostic tool

These checks can’t prove a fan is healthy, but they help you decide whether to run a full test:

• Listen under load. Open something demanding and listen near the vents. The fan should speed up as the laptop warms. Remember that silence at idle is normal.
• Feel the airflow. When the fan is running, warm air should come out of the vents. Vent locations vary: on most laptops they’re on the sides, and on some models near the hinge.
• Listen for the wrong kind of noise. Grinding, whining or ticking points to a hardware problem rather than a busy processor.
• Check what’s working the processor. Search for Task Manager, select More details if you see the small view, then select the CPU column to sort apps by use. A fan that runs loudly because an app is using a lot of the processor is behaving correctly.

To see fan speeds as numbers, try checking fan speed on Windows 11 with the readings your firmware may show.

If the fan test passes but the laptop is still loud or hot

A passing test means the fan works. Constant fan noise usually means the laptop is producing a lot of heat or can’t get rid of it. Try these fixes:

1. Lower the power mode. Go to Start > Settings > System > Power & battery and change Power mode away from Best performance. Higher performance modes make the device run warmer and the fan spin faster. If you can’t change the mode, a custom power plan may be selected; Microsoft’s power mode instructions explain the options.
2. Close heavy apps. Use Task Manager as described above and close apps you don’t need. You can also turn off unneeded startup apps on the Startup apps tab of Task Manager, but don’t disable your antivirus.
3. Give a new laptop a day. The first 24 hours after setup can bring extra fan activity from updates and syncing email, calendars and OneDrive.
4. Allow for charging and room temperature. The fan may run more while the battery charges, and in rooms warmer than 77°F (25°C). ASUS laptops have an operating range of 41°F to 95°F (5°C to 35°C).
5. Update Windows, drivers and BIOS. Dell, ASUS and Microsoft all include updates among their fan fixes. Use your maker’s update tool, such as MyASUS, SupportAssist or the Surface app.
6. Clean the vents safely. Shut down and unplug the laptop first. Use canned compressed air held at a distance and not turned upside down. Don’t use a vacuum, which can create static that damages parts, or an air compressor, which can damage fan blades.
7. Keep the vents clear. Use the laptop on a firm, flat surface, not a bed, sofa or pillow. A cooling pad or stand can help during long sessions.

Troubleshooting

The fan test option is missing

Not every model includes one. Lenovo’s UEFI Fan module is listed for ThinkPad systems only, and some ASUS models lack the MyASUS fan diagnosis. HP’s UEFI diagnostics run from the laptop’s HP_TOOLS partition or UEFI system partition; if they’re missing, download them from HP’s diagnostics page. On a Dell, if SupportAssist isn’t installed, use the F12 preboot route, which doesn’t need Windows.

The key does nothing at startup

Press the key as soon as you see the maker’s logo, or tap it repeatedly right after you power on. If Windows still starts, shut down fully and try again. The startup keys and timing for getting into your firmware settings are in entering BIOS in Windows 11.

Lenovo’s bootable USB diagnostics won’t start

For Lenovo’s bootable USB version, disable Secure Boot in the BIOS if it’s enabled, then restart and press F12 to choose the USB drive. Turn Secure Boot back on when you’re done. On a work or school laptop, BIOS changes may be locked, so ask your IT department.

You can’t install the maker’s app

Apps such as SupportAssist need administrator rights to install. On a managed work or school laptop, ask IT to run the test or use the preboot diagnostics, which run outside Windows.

The fan test fails

Write down every code the tool shows: Dell’s error and validation codes, HP’s 24-digit failure ID, or Lenovo’s Final Result Code. Then contact the maker’s support, especially while the laptop is under warranty. If the laptop overheats right away, shut it down until it cools.

Frequently asked questions

Does Windows 11 have a built-in fan test?

Not as a separate tool. Microsoft’s fan guidance doesn’t include a fan test, so use the diagnostics from your laptop’s maker. Windows does let you reduce fan noise by changing the power mode and closing busy apps.

Is it safe to run a fan test?

Yes. The tests come from the laptop maker and are designed for your hardware. The fan running at full speed during the test is expected, not a sign of damage.

Why doesn’t my laptop fan spin all the time?

Many laptops keep the fan off at idle or under light load to save energy and keep things quiet. The fan starts once the internal temperature passes a set point.

Can I trust a third-party temperature or fan app instead?

The maker’s diagnostic is the more reliable check. Third-party temperature software doesn’t measure chassis temperature, so don’t rely on it to diagnose hardware.

My fan passed the test but makes a grinding noise. What now?

Grinding, whining or ticking suggests a mechanical problem that a quick test may not catch. Contact the maker’s support and describe the sound, and mention that the diagnostic passed.

Should I open the laptop to check the fan?

Only if your maker publishes service guides for your model and you’re comfortable with them. Microsoft, for example, offers self-repair guides for some Surface devices. Otherwise, use the maker’s repair service, particularly while the laptop is under warranty.

Run your maker’s fan test first; if it passes and the laptop still runs hot, change the power mode and clean the vents before you book a repair.