How to Change Fan Speed on Your PC

Where to find fan speed controls on your PC

Fan speed controls live in three places depending on your hardware and what you want to adjust: the BIOS (the firmware that runs before Windows or your operating system loads), third-party software from your motherboard or graphics card maker, or Windows settings for case fans connected to the motherboard. Most people use the easiest route first — software — because it does not require restarting your computer.

If your PC has a dedicated graphics card, that card's fans are usually controlled through the card maker's software: NVIDIA GeForce Experience or the NVIDIA Control Panel for NVIDIA cards, or AMD Radeon Settings for AMD cards. Motherboard fans and case fans plug into headers on the motherboard itself, so they respond to BIOS settings or motherboard control software like MSI Dragon Center, ASUS Fan Xpert, or Gigabyte RGB Fusion depending on which brand you own.

Key Takeaways

Graphics card fans are controlled through NVIDIA GeForce Experience, NVIDIA Control Panel, or AMD Radeon Settings depending on your card brand.
Motherboard and case fans are controlled through your motherboard maker's software (MSI Dragon Center, ASUS Fan Xpert, Gigabyte RGB Fusion) or through BIOS settings.
Software control is faster and does not require a restart, but BIOS control is more stable and survives software crashes.
Most fan controls let you set a fixed speed or create a curve that raises speed as temperature climbs.
If you cannot find your motherboard maker's software, check the support page for your specific motherboard model.

Controlling graphics card fan speed through software

Open NVIDIA GeForce Experience if you have an NVIDIA card. Click the gear icon in the top right, then select "Graphics" from the left menu. Scroll down to find "Power" or "Thermal" settings. Some versions show a "Fan" tab directly. If you see a slider or percentage field, you can drag it to set a fixed fan speed, or select "Custom" to create a temperature curve where the fan ramps up as the GPU gets hotter.

For AMD cards, open Radeon Settings by right-clicking on your desktop and selecting "Radeon Settings." Go to the "Performance" tab, then "Tuning." Look for "Fan Speed" or "Automatic Fan Speed." You can toggle between automatic (the card decides) and manual (you set a percentage), or create a custom curve by clicking the graph icon.

If neither software appears on your system, your graphics card drivers may not be installed. Visit NVIDIA.com or AMD.com, enter your card model, and read the latest driver package. Restart your PC after installation and the control software should appear.

Controlling motherboard and case fans through software

Find your motherboard model by opening the Windows Run dialog (press Windows key + R), typing msinfo32, and pressing Enter. Look for "BaseBoard Product" — that is your motherboard model. Write it down, then visit your motherboard maker's support page (MSI.com, ASUS.com, or Gigabyte.com) and search for that exact model.

read the fan control software listed under "Utilities" or "Tools." Common names are MSI Dragon Center, ASUS Fan Xpert, or Gigabyte RGB Fusion. Install it, restart if prompted, then open the software and look for a "Fan" or "Cooling" tab. You will see a list of fan headers — usually labeled "CPU Fan," "Chassis Fan 1," "Chassis Fan 2," and so on. Click each one to set a fixed speed (as a percentage) or create a curve that ties fan speed to CPU or motherboard temperature.

If the software does not appear after installation, check that your fans are actually plugged into the motherboard headers and not directly into the power supply. Fans connected to the power supply cannot be controlled by software.

Controlling fan speed through BIOS

Restart your PC and press Delete, F2, or F12 during startup (the correct key appears on your boot screen for a few seconds). You will enter BIOS setup. Navigate to a tab labeled "Monitor," "Health," "Q-Fan," or "Fan Control" — the name varies by maker. You should see a list of fan headers with options like "Auto," "Manual," or "PWM Mode."

Select "Manual" or "DC Mode" for a fan you want to control, then set a percentage from 0 to 100. Some BIOS versions let you create a curve by setting the fan speed at different temperature thresholds — for example, 30 percent at 30 degrees Celsius, 50 percent at 50 degrees, and 100 percent at 70 degrees. Save your changes (usually by pressing F10) and exit. Your PC will restart with the new settings.

BIOS control is more stable than software because it runs at a lower level and survives software crashes. However, changes take effect only after a restart, and the interface varies widely between motherboard makers, so you may need to consult your motherboard manual to find the exact menu.

Understanding fan curves versus fixed speeds

A fixed speed sets your fan to one percentage all the time — for example, 60 percent. This is straightforward but wastes energy when your PC is idle and cool. A fan curve ties fan speed to temperature, so the fan runs slowly when your PC is cool and ramps up as it heats up. Most control software defaults to a curve, which balances noise and cooling automatically.

If you create a custom curve, start conservative: set the fan to 20 or 30 percent at your lowest expected temperature (often around 30 degrees Celsius at idle) and 100 percent at your highest safe temperature (usually 80 to 90 degrees depending on your CPU or GPU). Test for a few hours and adjust if the PC gets too hot or the fan noise bothers you. A steeper curve cools faster but sounds louder; a gentler curve is quieter but may let temperatures climb higher under load.

Troubleshooting when fan controls do not work

If you set a fan speed and nothing changes, first check that the fan is actually plugged in. Open your PC case and look for a cable running from the fan to the motherboard. It should connect to a header labeled "CPU Fan," "Chassis Fan," or similar. If the cable is loose, reseat it firmly.

If the fan is plugged in but the software does not see it, the header may be disabled in BIOS. Restart, enter BIOS, and look for a setting like "CPU Fan Header" or "Chassis Fan Header" set to "Disabled." Change it to "Enabled" and save. If the software still does not detect the fan after a restart, the header may be faulty — try plugging the fan into a different header if one is available.

If you changed the fan speed in software but the change did not stick after a restart, the motherboard may have reset to BIOS defaults. Check BIOS settings to see if a "Load Defaults" or "Reset to Factory Settings" option was triggered. You may need to set the fan speed again in software or BIOS after each restart until you find the right combination of settings.

When to change fan speed and what speeds are safe

Increase fan speed if your CPU or GPU temperature climbs above 80 degrees Celsius under load, or if you notice thermal throttling (your PC slowing down during demanding tasks). Lower fan speed if the noise is unbearable and temperatures stay below 75 degrees. Most modern CPUs and GPUs are safe up to 90 to 100 degrees, but performance drops and lifespan shortens at those temperatures, so aim to keep them below 80 degrees if you can.

Fans themselves are cheap and replaceable, so do not be afraid to run them at higher speeds if cooling is the priority. However, running a fan at 100 percent all the time will wear it out faster — a fan curve that ramps up only when needed extends its life. If a fan starts making grinding or rattling noises, it is failing and should be replaced regardless of the speed setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I control my graphics card fan and motherboard fans at the same time?

Yes. Graphics card fans are controlled through the card maker's software (NVIDIA or AMD), and motherboard fans are controlled through your motherboard maker's software or BIOS. They do not interfere with each other, so you can adjust both independently.

What is the safest fan speed to set if I do not know my PC's temperature?

Set the fan to "Auto" in BIOS or software and leave it there. Auto mode lets the motherboard or GPU decide the speed based on temperature, which is safe for all hardware. You only need to change it if Auto mode is too loud or your PC is overheating.

Will changing fan speed void my warranty?

Changing fan speed through software or BIOS does not void your warranty. However, if you physically modify the fan or overclock your CPU or GPU, some manufacturers may refuse warranty claims if the hardware fails.

Why does my fan speed keep resetting to default after I restart?

Software settings do not always survive a restart if the software does not run at startup. Check your motherboard maker's software settings to see if there is an option to "Load settings on startup" or "explore at boot." If you want permanent changes, set them in BIOS instead, which persists across restarts.

Is it safe to set my fan to 100 percent all the time?

It is safe for your hardware but will wear out the fan faster and create constant noise. Use a fan curve instead so the fan only runs at full speed when your PC is hot. If you need 100 percent speed regularly, your case may need better airflow or larger fans.

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.