Windows 11 has no built-in fan speed slider. Fan speed is controlled by your PC’s firmware and, on many laptops, by the manufacturer’s utility. You can still influence it from Windows through Power mode.
Quick Answer
Change Power mode in Settings, System, Power and battery (Best power efficiency is quieter), use your PC maker’s app, or adjust fan curves in the BIOS or UEFI settings.
How to Change Fan Speed on Windows 11
- Open Settings, System, Power and battery.
- Set Power mode to Best power efficiency for quieter fans, or Best performance for more cooling.
- Open your PC maker’s utility if installed (many laptops include thermal modes such as Quiet, Balanced and Performance).
- For desktops, restart into UEFI (Settings, System, Recovery, Advanced startup, Restart now, then Troubleshoot, Advanced options, UEFI Firmware Settings).
- Find the fan or hardware monitor section and choose a fan profile or curve.
- Save and exit.
Fan Control Options
| Option | Best for |
|---|---|
| Power mode | Any PC; indirect control |
| Manufacturer utility | Laptops |
| BIOS or UEFI fan curves | Desktops |
| Third-party fan software | Desktops with supported sensors |
Graphics Card Fans
GPU fans are controlled separately from the case and CPU fans. Most graphics card makers provide a utility, such as MSI Afterburner, ASUS GPU Tweak or the card maker’s own software, where you can set a custom fan curve. Keep the default automatic curve unless you have a specific noise or heat problem, and make sure the card stays within the temperature range its maker recommends. For NVIDIA cards on Windows 10, see adjusting NVIDIA GPU fan speed.
Check Temperatures Before Changing Anything
Fans speed up because components are hot, so it’s worth checking temperatures first. Task Manager’s Performance tab shows GPU temperature for many dedicated graphics cards. For CPU temperatures, use your PC maker’s utility or a hardware monitoring tool from a reputable developer; see how to check CPU temperature on Windows 11. If temperatures are normal and the fans are still loud, a quieter fan profile is reasonable. If temperatures are high, lowering fan speed could cause throttling or shutdowns.
Reduce Fan Noise Without Changing Settings
- Clean dust from vents and fans with short bursts of compressed air while the PC is off.
- Keep laptops on a hard, flat surface so air can flow underneath; soft surfaces block intake vents.
- Close apps that use a lot of CPU or GPU in the background; Task Manager’s Processes tab shows them.
- Update the BIOS and chipset drivers from your PC maker, since updates sometimes improve fan behaviour.
Troubleshooting
- Fans loud all the time: clean dust from vents and check Task Manager for apps using high CPU.
- Fans never spin up: check firmware settings; overheating can damage hardware.
- Settings missing: many laptops lock fan control to the manufacturer’s app.
- Related: the Windows 10 steps and power plans in Windows 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to lower fan speed?
Only while temperatures stay in a safe range. Monitor temperatures if you change fan curves.
Can Windows show fan RPM?
Not built in. Firmware or hardware monitoring tools can.
Does Power mode affect battery life?
Yes. Efficiency modes save battery.
Why is the Power mode option greyed out?
A custom power plan may be active. Switch to Balanced in Control Panel, Power Options.
Summary
- Open Power and battery.
- Choose a Power mode.
- Try the maker’s utility.
- Use UEFI fan settings on desktops.
- Keep an eye on temperatures.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.