HP Envy 16 laptop running hotter, fans on all the time

[Nunya_Envy]

Hi all,

My 2023 Envy 16 Laptop (4K OLED, Nvidia RTX3060 laptop GPU, Intel Core i7-12700H, 32GB RAM, Win 11 23H2) was running fine until a couple weeks ago (approx Aug 15, 2024). Lately, it's running hotter than normal, and when the fan(s) come on, they go to a high rate, and stay there (IE their speed used to go up and down during various usage, as is normal).

Using Win Task Manager to monitor the Nvidia GPU temp, it used to range from ~42 - 50 degrees C during IDLE or low use (CPU load at 1 - 3%), and when running an old video game (Starcraft 2), the temp never went above 75C.

Lately, the lowest temp the GPU goes to is 53 degrees C, and goes up to 86 C (on Starcraft 2.

I don't know what the historic CPU temp was, but using HP PC Hardware Diagnostic, it lately shows it at a Low of ~60C (IDLE), and all the way up to 90C (during the above Starcraft 2 play)

The fan(s) are at the lowest rate until the GPU temp is ~55C and CPU temp is ~70, at which point they go to about Medium/High speed. The problem is, they stay there, even when the PC cools down to 52C (GPU) and 60 (CPU).

The chassis is clean, I keep it well ventilated, and (without opening it up), it looks like nothing is physically obstructing the fans/vents.

My questions are:

* I know 52C is hotter than the GPU should be at IDLE, but is a CPU temp of 60C also hotter than IDLE should be?

* HP HW Diag says the "Fan Speed" is 75 RPM (sometimes shows 91-99 RPM). This seems awfully slow, shouldn't internal fans run in the THOUSAND RPM range?

* And aren't there multiple fans? Why is there only one "fan speed" shown? Or are they both going the same (slow) speed?

* Aside from a physical/hardware problem, does anyone think a recent Windows Update or Nvidia Video Driver could have messed up the temp/fan control?

Thanks, any input appreciated.

-Wally (aka Nunya)

[Raj_05]

Hi @Nunya_Envy,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like you're dealing with some frustrating thermal issues on your HP Envy 16. Here are some insights and steps to address your concerns.

Temperature Expectations:

GPU Temperature:

• IDLE: ~53°C is indeed higher than typical idle temperatures. Ideally, an idle GPU should be closer to 40-50°C.
• Under Load: 86°C under load is relatively high, but not necessarily alarming for a laptop GPU during intensive use.

CPU Temperature:

• IDLE: 60°C is on the higher side for idle temperatures, where you might expect something closer to 35-50°C.
• Under Load: 90°C is quite high for a CPU under load. This could indicate inadequate cooling or thermal throttling.

Fan Speed:

RPM Range: Internal laptop fans typically run in the range of 1,000 to 4,000 RPM depending on the cooling needs. A reading of 75-99 RPM does sound very low and could indicate a potential issue with the fan speed monitoring or control.

Multiple Fans: If your laptop has multiple fans, ideally the diagnostic tool should show combined or individual speeds for each fan. However, some systems might show a single fan speed if they are controlled together or if only one fan’s speed is monitored.

Possible Causes and Solutions:

Software Issues:

• Windows Updates: Recent updates can occasionally affect system performance and hardware control. Ensure all drivers are up to date, particularly the GPU and chipset drivers.
• Nvidia Driver: A recent Nvidia driver update might be affecting GPU performance. Consider rolling back to a previous driver version to see if it improves thermal behavior.

Thermal Management:

• Cooling System: Ensure that your laptop’s cooling system is functioning correctly. Even if the chassis appears clean, internal dust or thermal paste degradation might be causing higher temperatures.
• Thermal Paste: Over time, the thermal paste between the CPU/GPU and heatsink can dry out, reducing cooling efficiency. Reapplying thermal paste can sometimes resolve these issues but should be done by a professional if you’re not comfortable with it.

BIOS Settings:

• Check for any BIOS updates from HP that might address fan control or thermal management issues. Sometimes BIOS updates include improvements to cooling system management.

Immediate Steps:

• Update or Rollback Drivers: Check for updates for your GPU and chipset drivers, or roll back to previous versions if the issue started after an update.
• Monitor with Third-Party Tools: Use third-party tools like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner to get a more detailed view of temperatures and fan speeds.
• Run HP Diagnostics: Run the full suite of diagnostics provided by HP to check for any hardware issues.
• Clean and Reapply Thermal Paste: If you're comfortable, clean the internal components and reapply thermal paste.
• Check for BIOS Update: Visit HP’s support site to see if there’s a newer BIOS version available that might address thermal issues.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support 

[Nunya_Envy]

Hi Alden,

Thanks for the reply. I have tried a few things to bring the Envy 16's temps back down to where they were a month ago, but it still seems to run about 10 degrees C hotter (both the Intel i7-12700H CPU and the RTX 3060 GPU). 

Currently, my PC AT IDLE (1% or so usage) is showing:

GPU:  53C (according to Task Manager window)

CPU: 60C (according to HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Window 2.6.2.0), with a FAN SPEED OF 99 RPM

BIOS: My version is F.40, which I believe is current

I've uninstalled/rolled back the last Windows Update, and rolled back the Nvidia driver. But the CPU and GPU temp numbers are still higher than I believe they were a few weeks ago. Here are screenshots of the Windows Task Manager (showing Idle load and GPU temp) and HP PC Diagnostics Window (showing CPU temp and fan RPM):

Are you able to open HP Diagnostics Window on your own PC and confirm that Fan speeds are in the range of 75 - 117 RPM, which is what they are for my PC)? 

Because if Fan Speed should be in the THOUSANDS of RPM, then something may be wrong with my hardware.

Thank you.

Nunya