How to enable cooling mode on a laptop: all methods for different models

The laptop started to heat up like an iron, and the cooler is working at its limit? Cooling mode will help reduce the temperature of the processor and video card, preventing sudden shutdowns or performance throttling. But how to enable it if there is no such option in the Windows or macOS settings?

In fact, the activation of enhanced cooling depends on the laptop model, operating system and even BIOS version. In some cases, it is enough to change the power plan, and sometimes you need to install proprietary software from ASUS, Lenovo or Dell. We have collected all the working methods - from standard tools to hidden functions of the engineering menu.

1. Enable cooling mode via BIOS/UEFI

The most reliable, but also the most technically complex method is to activate cooling at the firmware level. Most modern laptops (HP Omen, MSI Gaming, Acer Predator) have special fan profiles in the BIOS. Here's how to find them:

Restart your laptop and during startup press:

• 🔹 F2, Del or Esc - for most models Lenovo, Dell, HP
• 🔹 F1 - for some Sony Vaio And Toshiba
• 🔹 F10 - for ASUS ROG and motherboards Gigabyte

In the BIOS menu, find the section Advanced → Hardware Monitor (or Fan Control, Thermal Management). There may be options here:

• 🔥 Fan Mode — select Performance or Turbo
• ❄️ Cooling Policy - install Aggressive or Maximum
• ⚙️ CPU Fan Speed — manually set the speed (if supported)

⚠️ Attention: Not all laptops allow you to control fans through the BIOS. On budget models (Acer Aspire, Lenovo IdeaPad) this function is often blocked.

2. Using the manufacturer’s proprietary utilities

Major brands release their own software to control the cooling system. These programs not only enable turbo fan mode, but also allow you to adjust temperature thresholds. Here are the most popular utilities:

Example setup in Armoury Crate:

1. Open the program and go to the tab Device.
2. Select Fan Curve (fan curve).
3. Move the sliders to increase speed at low temperatures (eg 50% speed at 60°C).
4. Save profile as Custom Cooling.

Update the manufacturer's software to the latest version

Create a system restore point

Check the current CPU/GPU temperature (for example, in HWMonitor)

Disable other fan control programs

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3. Setting up cooling via Windows (power plans)

Windows 10 and 11 hide basic cooling settings in power plans. This method works on most laptops, but does not provide as much control as proprietary software.

To change settings:

1. Open Control Panel → Power Options.
2. Click Setting up a power plan for the active profile.
3. Select Change advanced power settings.
4. Find a section CPU Power Management → System Cooling Policy.
5. Install Active (for maximum cooling) or Passive (for quiet operation).

On laptops with Intel processors it is also useful to disable Turbo Boost in the same menu - this will reduce the heating by 10–15°C. To do this, find the option Maximum processor state and limit it to 90–95%.

4. Third-party programs for controlling fans

If proprietary software is missing or does not provide the necessary functions, universal utilities come to the rescue. They allow you to manually adjust the cooler speed, but require caution - incorrect settings can lead to overheating!

Top 3 programs for cooling control:

• 🖥️ SpeedFan - a classic utility that supports most motherboards. Allows you to build custom fan curves based on sensor temperatures.
• 🎮 MSI Afterburner — designed for video cards, but also controls system coolers on some laptops.
• 🛠️ HWInfo + Fan Control — combo of monitoring and manual control (requires configuration in config-files).

Example setup in SpeedFan:

1. Запустите программу от имени администратора.
2. Во вкладке Configure → Advanced выберите чип контроля вентиляторов (обычно IT87xx или NCT67xx).
3. В основном окне найдите ползунки PWM1, PWM2 (соответствуют вентиляторам).
4. Увеличьте значения до 70–90% для теста (не оставляйте на максимуме постоянно!).
5. Нажмите Apply и следите за температурой в Readings.

⚠️ Attention: Some laptops (especially Apple MacBook And Dell XPS) block access to fan control through third-party software. In this case, only BIOS or proprietary utilities remain.

5. Cooling mode on macOS (MacBook Pro/Air)

Apple severely limits user control over the cooling system, but there are workarounds. On MacBook with chips M1/M2 And Intel you can:

For MacBook on Intel:

• 🍎 Use the utility Macs Fan Control (paid, but with a trial period). It allows you to set the minimum fan speed (for example, 3000 RPM at 50°C).
• 🔄 Enable mode Low Power Mode in the battery settings - this indirectly reduces heating by limiting performance.

For MacBook on M1/M2:

• ❄️ Activate Optimized Battery Charging in System Settings → Battery - this reduces heating during charging.
• 🚫 Close background applications (especially Chrome, Slack, Zoom), which load the processor.

On MacBooks with M1/M2 chips, the fans are controlled solely by the system, and manual intervention is not possible without a jailbreak, which will void the warranty.

6. Hardware methods to improve cooling

If software methods do not help, you should pay attention to physical factors. Often overheating is caused not by a lack of cooling, but by its inefficiency due to dust or thermal paste.

Checklist for hardware cooling:

• 🌀 Dust removal: Disassemble the laptop (or contact service) and blow out the fans with compressed air. This is especially true for models older than 2 years.
• 🧴 Replacing thermal paste: On processors Intel Core i7/i9 And AMD Ryzen 7/9 Factory paste dries out in 1–2 years. Use Arctic MX-6 or Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut.
• 📦 Cooler stand: Models with USB connection (for example, Cooler Master NotePal X3) reduce the temperature by 5–10°C.
• 🔋 Charging limit: Keep your battery level between 40-80% (use utilities like Battery Limiter for Windows).

For emergency cooling (for example, during games) you can use cooling pads with CHP (thermoelectric cooling), but they are noisy and require separate power.

7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users make the overheating problem worse by following dubious advice. That's what it's impossible do:

• ❌ Set maximum fan speeds on a constant basis. This shortens bearing life and increases noise.
• ❌ Use "turbo modes" unnecessarily. For example, Extreme Performance in Lenovo Legion accelerates the processor to its limits, which leads to overheating.
• ❌ Close ventilation openings. Working on soft surfaces (blanket, sofa) blocks airflow.
• ❌ Ignore BIOS updates. Manufacturers often improve cooling algorithms in new firmware versions.

There is also a common myth that "turning off Turbo Boost is always a good idea". In fact, for resource-intensive tasks (rendering, games) it is better to leave Turbo enabled, but set up aggressive cooling. But for office work (Word, browser), turning off Turbo will reduce heat and noise.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

sudo apt install lm-sensors
sensors-detect
sensors