Controlling the fan speed on your Ubuntu system can help maintain the optimal temperature for your hardware components. This guide will walk you through the process of using lm-sensors and Fancontrol to manage your fan speed, as well as troubleshoot common issues that may arise.
To control fan speed on Ubuntu, you can use lm-sensors and Fancontrol. Install lm-sensors using sudo apt-get install lm-sensors and configure it by running sudo sensors-detect. Install Fancontrol with sudo apt-get install fancontrol and configure it using sudo pwmconfig. However, if your hardware does not support PWM control, adjusting BIOS settings or installing proprietary graphics drivers may be alternative solutions.
Introduction to lm-sensors and Fancontrol
lm-sensors is a software tool that monitors the temperature of your system and the speed of your fan. It provides a command-line interface to gather sensor readings, which can be used in conjunction with Fancontrol to manage your fan speed.
Fancontrol is a script that uses the lm-sensors tool to regulate fan speed according to system temperatures. It is highly customizable, allowing you to set your own thresholds and speeds.
Installing lm-sensors
To get started, we need to install lm-sensors. Open your terminal and run the following command:
sudo apt-get install lm-sensorsThis command uses the apt-get package manager to install lm-sensors. The install parameter tells apt-get what action to perform, and lm-sensors is the name of the package we want to install.
Configuring lm-sensors
After the installation is complete, we need to detect the sensors on your system. Run the following command:
sudo sensors-detectThis command will ask you a series of questions about your hardware. In most cases, the default answers (by pressing Enter) will be sufficient.
Once the detection is complete, verify that lm-sensors is working properly by running:
sensorsThis command should display a list of your system’s sensors, along with their current readings.
Installing Fancontrol
Next, we need to install Fancontrol. Run the following command:
sudo apt-get install fancontrolSimilar to the lm-sensors installation command, this command tells apt-get to install the fancontrol package.
Configuring Fancontrol
To configure Fancontrol, we need to create a configuration file. This is done using the pwmconfig script. Run the following command:
sudo pwmconfigThis command will guide you through the process of testing and configuring fan speed control. However, if you receive an error message stating “There are no pwm-capable sensor modules installed”, your hardware may not support PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control.
Troubleshooting Fancontrol
If you encounter the aforementioned error, there are a few alternatives you can try:
- BIOS Settings: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS menu (usually by pressing Del or F2 during startup). Look for options related to fan control or fan speed and adjust them accordingly.
- Proprietary Graphics Drivers: Some graphics cards have their own fan control settings. For example, if you have a Radeon 6850 card installed, you can install the proprietary graphics drivers for your card, which may include additional fan control options. You can do this by going to the “Additional Drivers” section in the Ubuntu System Settings.
Conclusion
Controlling your fan speed in Ubuntu using lm-sensors and Fancontrol can be a straightforward process, provided your hardware supports PWM control. If not, adjusting your BIOS settings or installing proprietary graphics drivers may provide a solution. Remember, maintaining an optimal temperature for your hardware can extend its lifespan and improve its performance.
For more information on lm-sensors and Fancontrol, you can check their official documentation at lm-sensors.org and Fancontrol GitHub page.
After installing lm-sensors, you can run the sensors command in the terminal to check if it is working properly. This command will display a list of your system’s sensors along with their current readings.
The fan speed thresholds and speeds can be adjusted by editing the configuration file generated by the pwmconfig script. The file is usually located at /etc/fancontrol. You can open it using a text editor and modify the values according to your preferences.
Yes, lm-sensors and Fancontrol can be used on laptops as long as the hardware supports PWM control. However, it is important to note that not all laptops have the necessary sensors or fan control capabilities.
If you encounter this error, it means that your hardware may not support PWM control. In such cases, you can try adjusting your BIOS settings to control the fan speed or install proprietary graphics drivers that may provide additional fan control options.
Yes, lm-sensors and Fancontrol can be used on other Linux distributions as well. The installation process may vary slightly depending on the package manager used by the distribution, but the overall configuration and usage remain the same.
