How to Check CPU Temperature in Windows & Linux (2026)

Your CPU temperature usually depends on the apps, programs and software you run. When the CPU executes millions of tasks in a short period, it heats up. That's normal under load, but frequent high readings are a sign to look closer. This guide covers the fastest ways to check CPU temperature on Windows 11 and Linux, how to tell normal from concerning, and what to do when temps run hot.

Quick shortcuts:

• Windows 11: install HWiNFO or Core Temp and look at the "CPU Package" reading. You can also reboot into UEFI firmware settings.
• Linux/Ubuntu: install lm-sensors and run sensors, or use Psensor if you'd rather have a GUI.
• If temps sit near your CPU's rated maximum: skip to the overheating fixes further down.

🔥 Reasons for Overheating of Computer/Laptop

There can be multiple reasons your system is overheating, and if not dealt with, it can cause permanent damage to your PC. It's worth checking the temperature at least once every few months.

📏 Size of the Computer/Laptop

Thin and light systems often overheat because some manufacturers remove cooling fans to reduce size. Owners of these laptops usually need extra cooling accessories. These machines aren't built to handle sustained heavy loads.

⚡ Overclocking

Overclocking increases the temperature of your system by pushing the processor beyond its rated speeds to get more performance. The gain comes with a significant temperature rise. Daily monitoring of your CPU temperatures should be a must for overclockers.

PS: For a comparison between the new Intel server CPUs, have a look here.

🕰️ Old System

Older systems often overheat because dust accumulates on the fan and reduces its ability to cool the system. Heavy software on aging hardware can also be a factor.

☀️ It's Hot Outside

A hot environment raises internal temperatures. Avoid direct sunlight on your system, keep the surrounding air as cool as possible, and keep an eye on internal readings. This is one reason data centres maintain cool temperatures to keep their server CPUs from overheating. For the full picture of what an optimal server environment looks like — temperature, humidity, airflow — see our guide to server room design requirements.

🌡️ What Is a Normal CPU Temperature?

No single number counts as "safe" for every CPU. Every chip has its own limit. Intel calls it Tjunction max, the maximum thermal junction temperature a processor will allow before using internal thermal control to reduce power. On modern Intel and AMD desktop parts, that limit usually falls between 90°C and 110°C. Look up your exact model on the spec page before you decide anything is wrong.

These are the rough ranges to use as a working baseline:

Why Intel, AMD, laptops and desktops differ

Recent high-end Ryzen and Core chips are tuned to boost until they hit a thermal ceiling, so 90°C+ under an all-core load can be intended behaviour on some models. Laptops are a different story. The manufacturer sets the thermal limits, and many Intel laptops use Intel Dynamic Tuning Technology to adjust power based on heat. A thin ultrabook at 90°C while gaming isn't necessarily broken — its cooler is just small.

⚠️ How to Tell If Your CPU Is Overheating

Common symptoms:

• FPS drops or stuttering after 10–20 minutes of play
• Fans running at full speed even when the PC isn't doing much
• Sudden slowdowns during exports or compiles
• Random shutdowns with no blue screen

What thermal throttling means

Thermal throttling is the CPU protecting itself. When it gets close to its limit, it lowers its clock speed to cut heat. Your PC doesn't die — it just gets slower. In my experience, throttling is far more common than actual damage. If HWiNFO shows your clock speed dropping while the temperature sits flat at the maximum, that's what's happening.

🖥️ CPU Temperature Monitor in Windows

There are generally two ways to do this: use the built-in UEFI/BIOS, or use temperature monitoring software. Both options are below.

Check out the BIOS/UEFI

1. Open Settings > System > Recovery.
2. Next to Advanced startup, click Restart now.
3. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings, then restart.
4. Find the "PC Health," "Hardware Monitor" or "H/W Monitor" tab.

One catch: the BIOS only shows idle temperatures, because nothing is loading the CPU. Windows 10 has a similar path under Update & Security > Recovery, but Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so treat it as legacy.

If you're on an older PC and the Recovery menu differs, use the manufacturer's BIOS key during startup. Depending on the brand, they differ:

• Acer: F2 or DEL
• ASUS: F2 for all PCs, F2 or DEL for motherboards
• Dell: F2 or F12
• HP: ESC or F10
• Lenovo: F2 or Fn + F2
• Lenovo (Desktops): F1
• Lenovo (ThinkPads): Enter + F1
• MSI: DEL for motherboards and PCs
• Microsoft Surface Tablets: Press and hold the volume up button
• Origin PC: F2
• Samsung: F2
• Sony: F1, F2, or F3
• Toshiba: F2

Use HWiNFO or Core Temp

Install HWiNFO and choose "Sensors-only" at launch. Then scroll to the CPU section. The two readings to watch are CPU Package (the overall figure) and the per-core temperatures. Core Temp is lighter and shows each core's temperature next to its Tjmax. If you're shopping for a new CPU and want to know which chips run cooler under load, our roundup of the best gaming CPUs covers thermals alongside performance.

For an alternative to HWiNFO, use Core Temp software, or download Open Hardware Monitor — both free.

Can you check CPU temperature in Task Manager?

No. Task Manager shows GPU temperature on supported cards, but it doesn't show CPU temperature. You'll need a third-party tool.

🛠️ Best CPU Temperature Monitoring Tools for Windows

My default pick is HWiNFO. It gets frequent updates, and the latest release, v8.54, was released on Sep-30-2026. A monitoring tool that doesn't recognise your CPU will either show nothing or show wrong numbers.

🐧 How to Check CPU Temperature in Linux

There is no argument that Windows is the most used operating system due to its impressive GUI. However, Linux is also one of the most preferred operating systems by developers and programming geeks. These commands work on Ubuntu and Debian. On Fedora, swap apt for dnf, and on Arch use pacman.

sudo apt install lm-sensors
sudo sensors-detect
sensors
watch -n 2 sensors

sensors-detect scans your hardware for sensor chips. Answering "yes" to the defaults is fine. sensors prints the current readings, and watch -n 2 refreshes them every two seconds so you can see temperatures change under load. If you also need the CPU model and core count, see this guide on how to check CPU information on Linux.

Check CPU Temperature in Ubuntu Linux by Psensor

If you'd rather have a GUI, configure lm-sensors first, then install Psensor. To measure hard disk temperature, use hddtemp alongside.

sudo apt install lm-sensors hddtemp
sudo sensors-detect
sensors
sudo apt install psensor

Once Psensor is installed, run the application and configure it according to the system's requirements. It graphs CPU and drive temperatures over time.

View Hard Disk Temperature

Linux offers SMART built-in health-check tools for hard disks. These provide reporting technology, self-monitoring and complete analysis. The SMART tool shows all required details of your hard disk so you can protect yourself from data loss, including disk temperature. Use sudo nvme smart-log /dev/nvme0 for NVMe temperatures, or sudo smartctl -a /dev/sda (from smartmontools) for SATA disk health.

How to Check Temperature in Ubuntu Linux Using i7z

i7z prints CPU information and was created specifically for Intel core processors such as i3, i5, i7. First, install it on Ubuntu:

sudo apt install i7z

How to Check Temperature of NVMe SSD

sudo apt install nvme-cli
sudo nvme list

Once you execute the above command, your system will install nvme-cli. Use sudo nvme list to get a complete list of NVMe devices.

Why no temperature shows up

A blank reading usually has one of three causes. You're inside a VM or VPS, where the hypervisor hides the hardware sensors. Your monitoring tool is too old for your CPU. Or the laptop firmware locks the sensor. Update the tool first — in a VM, there's nothing to read.

🧯 Why Your CPU Temperature May Be High

• Dust and blocked airflow: clogged heatsink fins are the number-one cause I run into.
• Overclocking or aggressive power settings: includes motherboard "auto-overclock" defaults.
• Old thermal paste or a failing fan: paste dries out after a few years.
• Hot room or thin laptop design: a 30°C room raises everything.
• Malware or runaway processes: a cryptominer can keep your CPU at 100% without you noticing.

If your CPU runs hot while idle, open Task Manager or htop and sort by CPU usage before you blame the hardware. On a Mac, the equivalent tool is Activity Monitor — our guide on how to open Task Manager on Mac shows where to find it and how to read CPU, energy, and memory pressure.

❄️ How to Keep Your CPU Temperature Down

Start with the quick fixes and work down the list. Re-test after each change so you know what actually helped.

1. Kill background load. End runaway processes and run a malware scan.
2. Clean vents and heatsinks. Use short bursts of compressed air, and hold the fans still so they don't spin.
3. Fix airflow and fan curves. Front fans should pull air in and rear/top fans should push it out. Then raise the fan curve in the BIOS.
4. Undo overclocks. Reset CPU voltage and boost tweaks to their defaults. Undervolting can help on supported chips, but test stability carefully.
5. Replace thermal paste. A pea-sized dot is enough. Be careful with laptops — opening one can void the warranty.
6. Upgrade the cooler. A $35–50 tower cooler often drops load temps by 10–20°C compared with a stock cooler.
7. Get hardware support if temps stay near Tjmax after all of the above.

To check your fixes, watch HWiNFO or watch sensors while you game for 15 minutes or run one of these CPU benchmark tools for stress testing. Stop the test if the temperature reaches your CPU's Tjmax.

🧹 Concrete Fixes You Can Do Today

1. Clean Your Computer/Laptop

Keep your computer clean inside and out. Use a dust rag or a compressed air duster — both work without causing damage. A vacuum cleaner can also be used, but be gentle on the components.

2. Replace the Thermal Paste

The original thermal paste lasts a couple of years, but if it's dry, replace it. Many users have eliminated overheating by swapping the old layer for new paste. It keeps the system cooler by preventing heat transfer between components.

3. Buy a New CPU Cooler

If you're facing a significant overheating issue that won't go away, consider a new CPU cooler or fan. Liquid cooling systems can quickly eliminate overheating. Try this only after the cheaper fixes.

4. Keep Your System Safe from Malware

Malware can take confidential information from your system. Running antivirus software is essential to keep your system safe. Malware often runs in the background and is very resource-intensive, which can cause overheating.

5. Purchase a Laptop Stand

A laptop stand offers airflow space for your laptop to stay cooler under heavy loads. It elevates your laptop to allow air circulation, and it also gives you a better working angle. You can check the temperature before and after using the stand to see the difference.

🎯 Next Steps

Check your idle temperature now. Then check it again during a game or stress test and compare the two. If the load reading keeps landing near your CPU's maximum, go through the fixes above in order, starting with background processes and dust.

Running a server or a heavy workload? If cooling and monitoring are becoming a full-time chore, offload the hardware to a provider that manages power and temperature for you. Buy a dedicated server from 1Gbits and let the data center handle the thermal side.

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