Laptop Fan does not want to spin at full speed when plugged in

[Manti5]

I always use my laptop plugged in, and the battery is not affected in a way. My CPU and GPU are now going comatose because of this. They are always at around 80℃ because the fan does not want to spin at full speed when in serious moments. I follow all the necessary steps for proper ventilation, I even use a ∓750 rpm cooling tablet and level the laptop from behind for better ventilation. Maybe I need to get a better one, which I will. But the real problem is that the fan itself does not want to spin at full power at a constant. It's always automatic and variable, as in when the temperature has dropped to, say, 50℃, the fan stops spinning at full speed and gets very idle. EVEN WHEN I'M RUNNING A STRESSFUL AMOUNT OF WORK. That makes it go up to as much as 100℃, potentially shutting down the laptop at highly crucial moments. I even replaced the thermal paste with a thermal conductivity of 1.5-2.3 W/m-K, hoping for any changes, but noooo, it just got worse. Yes, I know that kind of paste is just trash, but the previous paste was SO DRY it wasn't even helping with anything. It was just making things worse. I don't think any better paste would make a significant difference, I'm tired of opening the laptop repeatedly instead of one go with all the necessary upgrades.
My real question is, is there NO way I can manually set the fan speed? That is some serious design flaw for a GAMING LAPTOP.

[zoey7886]

@Manti5, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding Overheating Issues! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

Update BIOS and Drivers:

• Ensure that your BIOS and system drivers are up to date. This can often resolve fan control issues and improve system efficiency.
• Visit the HP Support website to find the latest updates for your specific model.

Adjust Power Settings:

• Go to your Windows power settings and select a power plan that emphasizes cooling and stability, such as "Balanced" or "Power Saver."
• You can adjust the advanced power settings to ensure your CPU and GPU are not running at their maximum performance constantly, which can help with cooling.

Manual Fan Control:

• Some HP laptops allow for manual control of fan speeds through the BIOS settings or with dedicated software.
• Check your BIOS settings for any fan control options or use third-party software known for manual fan control.

Thermal Paste and Cleaning:

• Over time, thermal paste between the CPU/GPU and their respective heatsinks can degrade, which can cause increased temperatures. Reapplying thermal paste may significantly help.
• Ensure that there's no dust buildup inside the laptop, especially around the cooling vents and fans. Regular cleaning can prevent dust accumulation that affects cooling performance.

Cooling Pad:

• While you mentioned using a cooling pad, consider investing in a more powerful cooling pad that provides better airflow and cooling performance. This can help further reduce the temperatures.

Room Temperature:

• Sometimes, the ambient temperature of the room can affect the laptop’s cooling. Make sure the room is well-ventilated and, if possible, cooler.  

Hope this helps! 

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[Manti5]

Here are points to reply to:
1. I should probably enlighten you that my BIOS does not have any settings for fan control.
BIOS Version/Date Insyde F.91, 20-Aug-19
I'm not sure if this is the latest version for my laptop because there is no more software on the support page when I look for it. This was not the case a while ago, and I'm pretty sure it's too old to receive any updates. I'd be glad to receive a newer BIOS version if you can provide it; my Serial Number is [edited]
2. I need to run my processors at maximum power, which was the point of why I asked for maximum fan speed in the first place. I made some modifications to my Power Plan settings so I can make the most out of my hardware.
3. Once again, the BIOS has NO lead on fan control. Neither are there any dedicated or 3rd-Party software that can control the fan. I would be more than glad if you could provide me with any software or BIOS updates.
4. I have already said that I will eventually change the paste. My ventilation system is clean because I cleaned it not too long ago.
5. Using a better cooling pad may make a difference, but I don't think it would make that much if the laptop's fan does not even want to spin at full power.
6. I do have to say, it has been raining here often, I would assume the monsoon is around.


TL;DR: I would be glad if you could provide me with any software to control my fan, and if possible, a newer BIOS update, because I cannot find one on my own. My serial number has been provided along with the laptop I use.

[zoey7886]

Hi @Manti5, 

thanks for the detailed update and for sharing your Serial Number — that really helps!

I completely understand the frustration when your gaming laptop’s fan refuses to kick into high gear, especially when you’re pushing your CPU and GPU to the max. It’s like your system wants to cool down but just can’t quite find the breeze it needs.

Here’s what I can offer based on your points:

BIOS Version: Your Insyde F.91 from 2019 does sound a bit dated, but HP support site sometimes stops listing updates for older models. I don’t have a direct newer BIOS link here, but I’ll escalate your Serial Number to the BIOS team to check if there’s an unreleased or beta update that might help unlock fan controls or better thermal management.

Fan Control Software: Unfortunately, HP doesn’t officially provide third-party fan control software, and many Pavilion Gaming laptops rely heavily on automatic fan profiles baked into firmware. However, some users try tools like NoteBook FanControl (NBFC) or SpeedFan—but these aren’t guaranteed to work with every model, especially if BIOS blocks manual override. If you try, proceed cautiously and back up data.

Power Settings & Thermal Paste: Thanks for confirming the power plan tweaks and paste plans. Since cleaning and paste are covered, it points back to fan or firmware limits.

Environmental Factors: Monsoon humidity can definitely affect heat dissipation, so keep that cool airflow coming.

Next Steps:
I’ll push your info forward and get back to you if HP releases a BIOS update or any fan control tools. Meanwhile, keep an eye on temp with HWMonitor or similar, and maybe try those fan control apps carefully for a test run.

Hope this helps! 

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[Manti5]

Hello,
First, I apologize for replying this late. I got busy so I couldn't get time to fix this issue. Hope you understand.
Upon reading your reply, it probably makes no difference that I really am disappointed that manual fan control is not possible, especially for a gaming laptop like mine for which it should be 100% crucial. Although I understand that supporting a laptop model for over 7 years can be a very long time, I expected the latest BIOS update to at least help me with the issues. I appreciate your attempt to help my problem, however I think I just need to upgrade to a better hardware, which practically is impossible for me because I have to stick to this one for as long as possible.
The fan truly intrigues me because instead of spinning at max power when needed, it starts to idle, making my CPU and GPU start thermal throttling, eventually degrading itself and the performance. I really wished there was a way to change that, but... Welp, it is what it is, I guess.
I once again thank you for your attempts for helping me.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Manti5,

Thanks for getting back to us.

Thanks for sharing all that — I can feel the mix of disappointment and determination in your words. You’ve clearly done your homework and pushed your hardware to its limits, and it’s frustrating when the system doesn’t give you the control you need, especially on a gaming laptop where thermal management should be a priority.

 

Why Manual Fan Control Is Often Locked

Most HP laptops — even gaming models — don’t offer manual fan control in BIOS or through official software. 

It’s a design choice meant to balance noise, power, and longevity. But for users like you who know what they’re doing, it can feel like a missed opportunity.

 

What You Can Still Try

Here are a few advanced options that might help squeeze out better cooling:

Update BIOS & Drivers
Even if the latest BIOS didn’t help, double-check that your chipset and thermal management drivers are current via HP’s support site.

Adjust Windows Power Plan
Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Change Plan Settings → Advanced Settings
Under Processor Power Management, set Maximum Processor State to 99% — this can reduce thermal load without major performance loss.

External Cooling Pads
You mentioned using one already, but if it’s underpowered, upgrading to a high-RPM pad with direct airflow channels might help.

Keep us posted if you need any assistance in future.

Regards,

Hawks_Eye