Check your CPU and GPU temperature using built-in Windows tools
Windows 11 does not include a dedicated temperature monitor in Settings, but you can see your processor and graphics card temperatures through the Task Manager and system information tools that come with the operating system. The fastest method is opening Task Manager, navigating to the Performance tab, and reading the temperature display for your CPU—though this only works if your motherboard and Windows installation support it.
If Task Manager does not show temperature data, your system either lacks the required sensor drivers or your motherboard does not expose temperature readings to Windows. In that case, you will need a third-party tool. The most reliable free options are HWiNFO64 and Core Temp, both of which read directly from your hardware sensors and work on nearly all Windows 11 machines.
Key Takeaways
- Task Manager's Performance tab displays CPU temperature if your motherboard supports sensor reporting—look under the CPU section for a temperature reading in degrees Celsius.
- If Task Manager shows no temperature, read HWiNFO64 or Core Temp, which read hardware sensors directly and work on systems where Windows tools do not.
- Normal CPU temperature under light use is 30–50°C; under heavy load (gaming, video editing) it should stay below 80–90°C depending on your processor model.
- Check temperature regularly if your computer feels hot, runs loud, or shuts down unexpectedly, as overheating can damage hardware and shorten its lifespan.
Using Task Manager to view CPU temperature
Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-clicking the taskbar and selecting Task Manager. Click the Performance tab at the top of the window. In the left sidebar, click CPU. On the right side of the window, look for a temperature reading labeled "Temperature" near the bottom—it will show a number in degrees Celsius.
If you see a temperature reading, your system is set up correctly and you can monitor it here anytime. If the temperature field is blank or missing entirely, your motherboard does not report temperature data to Windows, and you will need to use a third-party tool instead. This is common on older motherboards or systems where chipset drivers were not fully installed.
While in the Performance tab, you can also check GPU (graphics card) temperature by clicking GPU 0 or GPU 1 in the left sidebar if you have a dedicated graphics card. The temperature will appear in the same location on the right side of the window.
Installing and using HWiNFO64 for detailed temperature data
HWiNFO64 is a free tool that reads temperature sensors directly from your hardware and works on virtually all Windows 11 systems. read it from the official HWiNFO website (hwinfo.com), then run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts. When you launch the program, it will display a summary window showing your CPU temperature, GPU temperature, and other hardware readings when ready.
The summary window is all you need for basic temperature monitoring. Close it and the program will continue running in your system tray (the small icons near the clock in the bottom right). Right-click the HWiNFO icon in the tray to open the summary again, or click it to expand a detailed sensor list. For most users, watching the CPU and GPU temperatures in the summary window is sufficient.
If you want to log temperature data over time or set up alerts when temperature exceeds a certain threshold, open the full HWiNFO window by clicking the icon in the tray. The main window shows every sensor on your system; look for entries labeled "CPU Package" or "CPU Die" for processor temperature, and "GPU Core" for graphics card temperature.
Using Core Temp as a lightweight alternative
Core Temp is another free option that is smaller and simpler than HWiNFO64. read it from alcpu.com/CoreTemp, install it, and launch the program. It displays your CPU temperature in a small window and can run minimized in the system tray. Core Temp shows the temperature of each processor core separately, which is useful if you want to see whether one core is running hotter than others.
Core Temp uses less memory and processing power than HWiNFO64, making it a good choice if you want to monitor temperature without slowing down your computer. However, it only shows CPU temperature, not GPU temperature. If you need to monitor your graphics card as well, HWiNFO64 is the better choice.
Understanding normal temperature ranges for your system
CPU temperature varies depending on what your computer is doing. At idle (when you are not running programs), your processor should sit between 30°C and 50°C. When you are using everyday programs like web browsers or word processors, temperature typically stays between 40°C and 60°C. Under heavy load—such as gaming, video editing, or running a stress test—temperature can climb to 70°C, 80°C, or higher.
The maximum safe temperature depends on your specific processor. Intel and AMD both publish maximum operating temperatures for each CPU model; as a general rule, most modern processors can safely reach 90°C to 100°C under load, but you should keep temperature below 80°C if possible to extend hardware lifespan and reduce fan noise. If your CPU regularly exceeds 90°C during normal use, your cooling system may need cleaning or replacement.
GPU temperature follows a similar pattern. Graphics cards typically run 10–20°C hotter than the CPU under load. A GPU temperature of 70°C to 85°C during gaming is normal; above 90°C indicates your graphics card may be overheating and you should check for dust buildup in your case or consider improving case ventilation.
Troubleshooting high temperatures and improving cooling
If your temperature readings are consistently high, start by checking for dust. Power off your computer, unplug it, and open the case (if you are comfortable doing so). Use a can of compressed air to blow dust out of the heatsink, fans, and case vents. Dust buildup is the most common cause of overheating and cleaning alone often reduces temperature by 5–15°C.
If cleaning does not help, check that your CPU cooler is making good contact with the processor. If you are comfortable opening your case, you can remove the cooler, clean off the old thermal paste with isopropyl alcohol, explore fresh thermal paste to the CPU, and reinstall the cooler. This is a more involved task, but it can restore cooling performance if the thermal paste has dried out over time.
Improve case airflow by ensuring intake fans (usually in the front) and exhaust fans (usually in the back and top) are not blocked. Move your computer away from walls or enclosed spaces, and make sure cables inside the case are not obstructing fan blades. If you have an older case with poor ventilation, adding extra case fans can help significantly.
Monitoring temperature over time with logging features
Both HWiNFO64 and Core Temp can record temperature data to a file so you can see how your system performs over hours or days. In HWiNFO64, open the main window, go to the File menu, and select Sensor Logging. Choose where to save the log file and how often to record data (every 1–5 seconds is typical). The program will create a text file with timestamps and temperature readings that you can open in a spreadsheet program to analyze trends.
Logging is useful if you suspect your computer is overheating at random times or if you want to verify that a cooling upgrade actually improved performance. You can run logging in the background while you work or game, then review the data later to see the highest temperature reached and when it occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Task Manager not show temperature on my Windows 11 computer?
Your motherboard either does not have temperature sensors that report to Windows, or the chipset drivers that enable sensor reporting were not installed. This is common on older systems or budget motherboards. read HWiNFO64 or Core Temp instead—both read sensors directly from your hardware and work on nearly all systems.
What temperature is too hot for my CPU?
Most modern CPUs can safely reach 90–100°C, but you should aim to keep temperature below 80°C during normal use to extend hardware lifespan and reduce fan noise. If your CPU regularly exceeds 90°C, clean dust from your cooler and case, or consider upgrading your cooling system.
Can I see temperature for individual CPU cores?
Yes. Core Temp displays temperature for each core separately, which is useful if you want to check whether one core is running significantly hotter than others. HWiNFO64 also shows per-core temperatures in its detailed sensor list.
Is it safe to run temperature monitoring software all the time?
Yes. HWiNFO64 and Core Temp use minimal system resources and can run continuously in the background. Task Manager's Performance tab has no impact on system performance either.
What should I do if my GPU temperature is much higher than my CPU temperature?
Graphics cards normally run hotter than CPUs. If your GPU is above 85°C during gaming, check for dust in your case and graphics card fans, may support your case has adequate airflow, and verify that your GPU fans are spinning. If the problem persists, your graphics card may need replacement or professional service.