How to Control Fan Speed on MSI Laptop | Best Guide September 2025

Is your MSI laptop fan running like a jet engine? You’re not alone. Thousands of MSI users struggle with loud fans or poor cooling performance daily. The good news is that controlling your MSI laptop’s fan speed takes just a few clicks once you know where to look.

Whether you’re gaming, working, or just browsing, proper fan control helps reduce noise and prevent overheating. This guide shows you exactly how to control fan speed on MSI laptop using official tools and proven alternatives. You’ll learn multiple methods that work on all MSI models, including Windows 11 systems.

Understanding MSI Laptop Fan Control

MSI laptops come with smart cooling systems that adjust fan speeds based on temperature. However, these automatic settings don’t always match your needs. Sometimes fans run too loud during light tasks, or they don’t cool down enough during heavy gaming.

Your laptop has separate fans for the CPU and GPU. The MSI center fan speed control feature lets you manage both fans independently. This means you can keep your laptop quiet during work and boost cooling when gaming.

Most MSI laptops support fan control through:

• MSI Center (the official software)
• BIOS settings
• Third-party applications
• Windows power management

Method 1: Using MSI Center for Fan Control

MSI Center is the official MSI software to control fans on your laptop. It’s pre-installed on most MSI laptops and offers the easiest way to manage fan speeds. Here’s how to use it:

Installing MSI Center

If MSI Center isn’t already on your laptop:

1. Visit MSI’s official website
2. Go to your laptop’s support page
3. Download MSI Center from the Utility section
4. Run the installer and restart your laptop

Adjusting Fan Speed in MSI Center

Once MSI Center is installed, follow these steps to control your fans:

1. Open MSI Center – Click the MSI Center icon in your system tray or search for it in the Start menu
2. Navigate to Features – Click on “Features” in the left sidebar
3. Select User Scenario – This section controls performance and fan profiles
4. Choose Your Mode:
   • Silent Mode – Minimum fan speed for quiet operation
   • Balanced Mode – Automatic fan control based on temperature
   • Extreme Performance – Maximum cooling for gaming

Advanced Fan Control

For precise control over MSI laptop fan speed settings:

1. Click on “Advanced” within User Scenario
2. Select “Cooler Boost” for immediate maximum fan speed
3. Use the custom fan curve option (if available)
4. Drag points on the graph to set fan speeds at different temperatures
5. Click “Apply” to save your settings

The fan curve lets you fine-tune exactly when and how fast your fans spin. Lower temperatures keep fans quiet, while higher temperatures trigger faster cooling.

Method 2: BIOS Fan Control Settings

If MSI Center doesn’t work properly, or you prefer hardware-level control, the BIOS offers another way how to adjust fan speed msi laptops:

Accessing BIOS Settings

1. Shut down your laptop completely
2. Press the power button
3. Immediately press F2 or Delete repeatedly (varies by model)
4. The BIOS menu should appear

Configuring Fan Settings in BIOS

Once in BIOS:

1. Navigate to “Hardware Monitor” or “Advanced Settings”
2. Look for “Smart Fan” or “Fan Control”
3. You’ll see options like:
   • CPU Fan Speed – Control processor cooling
   • System Fan Speed – Manage overall system cooling
   • Fan Mode – Choose between Auto, Manual, or Smart modes

Setting Manual Fan Speeds

To manually control fans:

1. Change Fan Mode to “Manual”
2. Set percentage values (0-100%) for each fan
3. Higher percentages mean faster, louder fans
4. Press F10 to save and exit

Remember that BIOS settings are permanent until changed. Your fans will maintain these speeds regardless of temperature unless you set them back to automatic.

Method 3: MSI Afterburner for GPU Fan Control

MSI Afterburner is primarily for GPU overclocking, but it’s also an excellent MSI app to control fans specifically for your graphics card:

Setting Up MSI Afterburner

1. Download MSI Afterburner from MSI’s website
2. Install and launch the application
3. Click the Settings icon (gear symbol)
4. Navigate to the “Fan” tab

Controlling GPU Fan Speed

In MSI Afterburner:

1. Enable “Enable user defined software automatic fan control”
2. You’ll see a fan curve graph
3. Click points on the curve to adjust fan speeds at different temperatures
4. The left axis shows the fan speed percentage
5. The bottom axis shows temperature in Celsius
6. Click “Apply” to save your custom curve

This method gives you precise control over GPU cooling, which is especially useful for gaming or video editing.

Method 4: Windows 11 Fan Control Options

For msi fan control windows 11 users, the operating system offers some built-in options:

Power Plan Settings

1. Right-click the battery icon in system tray
2. Select “Power Options”
3. Click “Change plan settings” next to your active plan
4. Select “Change advanced power settings”
5. Expand “Processor power management”
6. Adjust “System cooling policy”:
   • Passive – Slows processor before increasing fan speed
   • Active – Increases fan speed before slowing processor

Windows Mobility Center

Some MSI models support fan control through Windows:

1. Press Windows + X
2. Select “Mobility Center”
3. Look for a “Fan Control” tile (not all models have this)
4. Adjust the slider if available

Method 5: Third-Party Fan Control Software

When official tools fail, third-party software can help. Here are reliable alternatives:

SpeedFan

A popular free tool, though not all MSI models are supported:

1. Download SpeedFan from the official website
2. Run as Administrator
3. Wait for hardware detection
4. Adjust fan percentages in the main window
5. Configure automatic fan curves in “Configure > Speeds”

Notebook Fan Control (NBFC)

Specifically designed for laptops:

1. Download NBFC from GitHub
2. Install and run the program
3. Select your laptop model from the list
4. If your model isn’t listed, try similar MSI models
5. Enable fan control and adjust speeds

Specific MSI Model Considerations

MSI Modern 15 Fan Control

The msi modern 15 fan control works best through MSI Center. These models often have:

• Limited BIOS fan options
• Good MSI Center support
• Single fan design in some variants

For Modern 15 users:

1. Always use the latest MSI Center version
2. The “Office Mode” profile works well for quiet operation
3. Enable Cooler Boost only when needed

Gaming Laptop Models

MSI gaming laptops (GF, GE, GS series) typically offer:

• More advanced fan control options
• Dedicated gaming modes in MSI Center
• Better BIOS fan control support
• Dual or triple fan configurations

Troubleshooting Common Fan Issues

Fans Running at Full Speed Constantly

If your fans won’t slow down:

1. Check CPU and GPU temperatures using HWMonitor
2. Clean dust from vents (use compressed air)
3. Update MSI Center to the latest version
4. Reset EC (Embedded Controller):
   • Shut down laptop
   • Unplug power adapter
   • Hold power button for 30 seconds
   • Reconnect power and start normally

MSI Center Not Detecting Fans

When MSI Center can’t control fans:

1. Uninstall MSI Center completely
2. Download the latest version from MSI
3. Install with Administrator rights
4. Restart your laptop
5. If issues persist, try older MSI Dragon Center

Fan Speed Resets After Restart

To make settings permanent:

1. Save profiles in MSI Center
2. Enable “Apply at Windows startup” option
3. Check BIOS settings aren’t overriding software
4. Disable Windows Fast Startup if issues continue

Best Practices for Fan Management

For Daily Use

Keep your laptop running smoothly:

• Use Balanced mode for everyday tasks
• Clean vents monthly with compressed air
• Keep laptop elevated for better airflow
• Avoid using laptop on soft surfaces

For Gaming

Optimize performance and cooling:

• Enable Extreme Performance before gaming
• Use Cooler Boost for demanding games
• Create custom fan curves for different games
• Monitor temperatures regularly

For Quiet Operation

Minimize noise when needed:

• Use Silent mode for office work
• Lower screen brightness to reduce heat
• Close unnecessary background apps
• Consider a laptop cooling pad

Maintaining Your MSI Laptop’s Cooling System

Regular maintenance prevents fan issues:

1. Monthly Cleaning:
   
   • Use compressed air on vents
   • Wipe down exterior with a microfiber cloth
   • Check for blocked air intakes
2. Thermal Paste Replacement:
   
   • Consider replacing after 2-3 years
   • Improves heat transfer significantly
   • Requires technical knowledge or professional help
3. Software Updates:
   
   • Keep MSI Center updated
   • Update BIOS when stable versions are released
   • Install the latest chipset drivers

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Creating Temperature-Based Profiles

Set up automatic profile switching:

1. In MSI Center, create multiple profiles
2. Set temperature triggers for each profile
3. Configure different fan curves per profile
4. Enable automatic switching based on workload

Using Task Scheduler

Automate fan control:

1. Create batch files with MSI Center commands
2. Use Task Scheduler to run at startup
3. Set different profiles for different times
4. Perfect for shared laptops

Monitoring Tools

Keep track of temperatures and fan speeds:

• HWMonitor – Free temperature monitoring
• Core Temp – CPU-specific monitoring
• GPU-Z – Graphics card details
• Open Hardware Monitor – Open-source alternative

When to Seek Professional Help

Contact MSI support when:

• Fans make grinding or clicking noises
• Temperatures exceed 90°C at idle
• Fan control software causes system crashes
• Physical damage to fans is visible
• Warranty repairs are needed

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Controlling fan speed on your MSI laptop doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you use the official MSI Center, dive into BIOS settings, or try third-party tools, you now have multiple ways to manage your laptop’s cooling.

Start with MSI Center for the easiest solution. If that doesn’t work, try BIOS settings or specialized software like MSI Afterburner. Remember to keep your laptop clean and well-maintained for the best results.

Take control of your MSI laptop’s fans today. Your ears (and your laptop’s components) will thank you for finding the perfect balance between cooling performance and noise levels.