The CPU is the core component of any computer. But electricity passing through the CPU is converted into heat. If the CPU gets too hot, its longevity and performance are hampered.

It’s essential to monitor your CPU’s temperature to prevent overheating. Heat coming from your PC may indicate that the temperature is high enough to cause damage. This article will walk you through the steps necessary to monitor your laptop’s temperature.
How to Monitor Laptop Temperature in Windows 11
The ideal temperature range of a CPU – without causing any harm to the device – is between 65 to 70 degrees Celsius. However, some CPUs can reach up to 80 degrees Celsius and still work properly under conditions such as gaming or editing videos.
When it comes to monitoring the temperature of your CPU, there are two ways to accomplish this. You can either install third-party software to do it in real-time, or you can go to your BIOS to view the current temperature. Here’s how to monitor PC temperature in Windows 11.
Check Laptop Temperature Using BIOS
BIOS can provide you with information on the temperature of your PC. The primary disadvantage with using this method is that you will have to constantly open BIOS to see the information. So, it can be a relatively inefficient method of checking things.
There are two ways to access BIOS. Let’s take a look at them below.
Open BIOS During System Reboot
When your PC or laptop starts up, there is a small window that appears between when the logo appears and the Windows start-up page. At this point, you can use a hotkey to access BIOS. The hotkey you should use is specific to the PC brand. After booting up your computer, pressing the hotkey continuously will take you to the BIOS screen and not the Windows start-up page.
Open BIOS Using Windows Start-Up Menu
Using this method, you will have to use the advanced Windows start-up menu to open BIOS. These are the steps to follow.
- Tap “Start” then the Power key.
- Hold the “Shift” key while clicking “Restart.”
- From the advanced start-up screen, press “Troubleshoot.”
- Select “Advanced Options,” then “UEFI Firmware Settings.”
- Now hit “Restart” to go to the screen with the temperature information.
Check Laptop Temperature Using Third-Party Software
There are numerous software programs you can use to monitor the temperature of your CPU. These third-party applications can also provide details about other hardware properties like clock speed and the speed of fans. You can use a program like NZXT CAM to keep an eye on the temperature of your device. Once downloaded and installed, the application will monitor your computer and display information, including temperature, available storage, and other metrics.
How to Monitor Laptop Temperature Windows 10
If its temperature is between 65 and 75 degrees Celsius, the CPU should not cause any damage to the device. Anything higher than this, and you risk having significant parts of the processor destroyed.
You can monitor the temperature of your PC through various methods, such as installing third-party software or using your BIOS. Let’s look at how to monitor laptop temperature in Windows 10.
Check Laptop Temperature Using BIOS
BIOS is a utility that can provide you with information about the temperature of your PC. Unfortunately, it’s a relatively inefficient method of monitoring the device’s temperature as you will have to continually open it for readings. BIOS can be accessed using the steps shown below.
Open BIOS When Rebooting the System
You can access BIOS immediately after the logo for the computer is displayed but before the Windows start-up screen appears. Once the logo is visible, tap the hotkey continuously until the BIOS screen is displayed. Each computer brand has its own specific hotkey.
Check Laptop Temperature Using Third-Party Software
There are a variety of software programs that can monitor the temperature of your PC. Some of these applications even provide additional details such as clock speed and the speed of fans. Programs like Speccy or NZXT CAM will provide you with real-time information on your device’s temperature once it has been downloaded and installed.
How to Monitor Laptop Temperature in Windows 8
Heat management is vital to keeping a computer running smoothly. If the device gets too hot, it can slow performance and cause an unexpected shutdown. To monitor the temperature on a laptop running Windows 8, you can use BIOS or third-party software.
Check Laptop Temperature Using BIOS
Your BIOS is the menu that lets you see the basic settings of your computer. It also has a hardware monitor that enables you to check things like temperature. What follows are the steps required to open BIOS on your laptop.
- Navigate to the Power menu and press “Shift” while clicking “Restart.”
- Tap “Troubleshoot” in the advanced start-up menu that opens.
- Select “Advanced Options,” then “UEFI Firmware Settings.”
- Click “Restart” to gain access to BIOS.
Check Laptop Temperature Using Third-Party Software
You can use a third-party program to read your computer’s temperature and display the information to you. These programs often detect other variables like computer storage and fan speed. Programs like Core Temp are excellent at monitoring the temperature of your device as they have screens that you can access easily, unlike BIOS.
How to Check Laptop Temperature in Windows 7
A poorly-controlled heat management system can cause various issues when using Windows 7. To avoid causing damage to your device, you can monitor the temperature using a third-party application or BIOS. Check out how to do that.
Check Laptop Temperature Using Bios
BIOS is a utility that lets users monitor PC data such as the temperature of their devices. Generally, the CPU temperature should not exceed 65 to 75 degrees Celsius. Temperatures above this level could cause significant damage to the machine.
When rebooting your computer, you can access BIOS by repeatedly tapping the hotkey immediately after the logo appears but before the Windows screen displays. The BIOS screen will have information on the temperature of your CPU.
Check Laptop Temperature Using Third-Party Software
Many third-party programs allow users to monitor the temperature of their CPU. These utilities can also provide details about the device’s hardware properties, such as its clock speed and available storage capacity. Software like NXZT CAM will help you view the temperature statistics of your device, allowing you to detect levels that may be dangerous for your computer.
Keep It Cool
Because it’s a vital component of a laptop, the CPU should be protected from overheating. Fortunately, third-party apps can help you check the processor’s temperature. You can also use BIOS on your computer to keep an eye on things. The information provided here should help you prevent heat damage to your CPU.
Do you monitor the temperature of your laptop? Let us know how you do that in the comments below.
Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. This does not effect our editorial in any way.