How to Check CPU Temperature in Windows 11 and 10

To check CPU temperature in Windows 11 or Windows 10, use a hardware monitoring tool such as HWiNFO, Core Temp, or Libre Hardware Monitor. Windows Task Manager does not display live CPU temperature. It may display GPU temperature on supported dedicated graphics cards, which is why the two values are sometimes confused.

This guide shows five practical methods, explains which sensor value you should watch, and helps you decide whether your processor is running normally or getting too hot.

Best way to check CPU temperature in Windows

For most users, HWiNFO in Sensors-only mode is the best option. It provides live readings while Windows is running and records the current, minimum, maximum, and average temperature. This makes it useful for checking the processor at idle, during gaming, or while running demanding applications.

Method	Best for	Live reading	Extra software
HWiNFO	Detailed monitoring and troubleshooting	Yes	Yes
BIOS or UEFI	A quick check without installing a program	No, only while Windows is not running	No
Core Temp	A simple view of processor and core temperatures	Yes	Yes
Libre Hardware Monitor	Free and open source hardware monitoring	Yes	Yes
PowerShell and WMI	A limited ACPI thermal zone check	Sometimes	No

Can Windows 11 show CPU temperature without extra software?

Windows 11 and Windows 10 do not include a reliable built-in screen for live CPU temperature. You can view processor usage, clock speed, processes, threads, and uptime in Task Manager, but not the CPU temperature.

The only useful method without installing another program is the BIOS or UEFI hardware monitor. However, that reading is taken before Windows and your normal applications have loaded. It cannot show how hot the processor becomes during a game, video render, software build, or stress test.

Method 1: Check CPU temperature with HWiNFO

HWiNFO is a detailed hardware monitoring and diagnostic tool for Windows. It can read processor temperature sensors, fan speeds, voltages, clock speeds, power consumption, and many other values. The amount of information can look overwhelming at first, but you only need a few entries for a normal temperature check.

How to use HWiNFO step by step

1. Download HWiNFO from the official HWiNFO website.
2. Install the program or use the portable version.
3. Start HWiNFO and select Sensors-only.
4. Wait until the Sensors Status window appears.
5. Scroll to the section for your Intel or AMD processor.
6. Look for CPU Package, Core Max, CPU (Tctl/Tdie), or CPU Die (average).
7. Use the Maximum column to see the hottest recorded value.

Which HWiNFO temperature should you watch?

On an Intel system, CPU Package is usually the most useful overall reading. Core Max shows the hottest individual processor core and can reveal a hot spot that an average value would hide.

On many AMD Ryzen systems, CPU (Tctl/Tdie) is the control temperature used for thermal management and fan behavior. CPU Die (average) can provide a smoother average of the processor die. The exact sensor names vary by processor generation and motherboard.

Do not compare a motherboard entry simply called CPU with the processor’s internal digital sensor without checking what it represents. A socket or motherboard sensor may react more slowly and may show a noticeably different value.

Measure temperature during a real workload

Open HWiNFO before starting the program or game you want to test. Reset the minimum and maximum values, run the workload for 10 to 20 minutes, and then review the Maximum column. This gives you a more useful result than looking at a single temperature immediately after Windows starts.

Method 2: Check CPU temperature in BIOS or UEFI

Most desktop motherboards and many laptops include a hardware monitoring page in the BIOS or UEFI. It may be named Hardware Monitor, PC Health, System Monitor, H/W Monitor, or Fan Control.

Open UEFI from Windows 11

1. Save your work and close open applications.
2. Open Settings.
3. Select System and then Recovery.
4. Next to Advanced startup, select Restart now.
5. Choose Troubleshoot.
6. Select Advanced options.
7. Select UEFI Firmware Settings and then Restart.
8. Find the hardware monitoring or fan control page.

You can also enter the firmware during startup. Depending on the PC manufacturer, the key may be Delete, F2, F10, F12, or Esc.

The firmware value is useful as a basic check, but it does not represent a normal Windows workload. The processor is under relatively light load in the BIOS or UEFI, and power management may behave differently there.

Method 3: Use Core Temp for a simple temperature display

Core Temp is a compact program that focuses on processor temperature. It can display the temperature of individual cores when the processor exposes those readings, along with processor load, frequency, and the maximum junction temperature.

1. Download the program from the official Core Temp website.
2. Install and start Core Temp.
3. Find the temperature section near the bottom of the window.
4. Check the current value and the recorded minimum and maximum.
5. Open Options and Settings if you want to display a temperature in the notification area.

Core Temp is easier to read than HWiNFO, but it provides fewer motherboard, storage, fan, and power sensors. It is a good choice when you only want a clear CPU temperature monitor.

Method 4: Use Libre Hardware Monitor

Libre Hardware Monitor is a free and open source application that can monitor processor and graphics temperatures, fan speeds, voltages, loads, clock speeds, and storage devices.

1. Open the official Libre Hardware Monitor GitHub repository.
2. Download the latest release.
3. Extract the downloaded archive.
4. Start the application. Some sensors may require administrator rights.
5. Expand the processor section and then expand Temperatures.
6. Review the current and maximum values while your workload is running.

Use the official GitHub repository rather than similarly named download websites. The project itself warns that it is not affiliated with the separate domain that uses the Libre Hardware Monitor name.

Can Task Manager show CPU temperature?

No. Task Manager does not show CPU temperature in Windows 11 or Windows 10. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select Performance, and open the CPU page. You will see utilization, speed, process counts, logical processors, virtualization status, and uptime, but no CPU temperature field.

Task Manager can show GPU temperature on compatible systems. Microsoft introduced this feature for supported dedicated graphics cards and noted that a compatible graphics driver is required. A GPU reading in Task Manager is not the processor temperature.

Method 5: Check an ACPI thermal zone with PowerShell

PowerShell does not provide a universal command that reads the processor’s internal temperature sensor on every PC. It can query the Windows Management Instrumentation class MSAcpi_ThermalZoneTemperature, but the returned value may represent an ACPI thermal zone on the motherboard or inside the chassis rather than the actual CPU package.

Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell and run the following command:

Get-CimInstance -Namespace root/wmi -ClassName MSAcpi_ThermalZoneTemperature | Select-Object InstanceName, @{Name='TemperatureC'; Expression={ [math]::Round(($_.CurrentTemperature / 10) - 273.15, 1) }}

The conversion is important because CurrentTemperature is commonly returned in tenths of a Kelvin. To convert it to Celsius, divide the value by 10 and subtract 273.15.

This method has several limitations:

• The class may return no result.
• The value may remain static even when the CPU load changes.
• The sensor may represent a motherboard, chassis, or firmware thermal zone.
• Virtual machines commonly do not expose a useful reading.
• The value should not be used as the only basis for automatic shutdown or hardware protection.

Why you should not use the old WMIC command

Older guides often use the following command:

wmic /namespace:\\root\wmi PATH MSAcpi_ThermalZoneTemperature get CurrentTemperature

WMIC is a deprecated command line utility. Microsoft has removed it by default from newer Windows 11 installations and is completing its removal. The underlying WMI technology remains available, so Get-CimInstance is the modern replacement for this type of query.

What is a normal CPU temperature?

There is no single normal temperature for every processor. The result depends on the exact CPU model, cooler, laptop or desktop design, case airflow, room temperature, power limits, and workload. Intel also states that it does not provide one typical operating range for all processors because system design and workload have a major effect.

The following values are broad troubleshooting guidelines, not universal specifications:

Situation	Approximate temperature	How to interpret it
Idle or light use	30°C to 50°C, 86°F to 122°F	Common for many well-cooled systems. Laptops and compact PCs may be warmer.
Gaming or sustained work	60°C to 85°C, 140°F to 185°F	Often normal, depending on the processor and cooling design.
High temperature	85°C to 90°C, 185°F to 194°F	Watch whether the value is sustained and whether clock speed begins to fall.
Very high temperature	Above 90°C, 194°F	Check the exact processor limit and inspect the cooling system if the reading persists.
Thermal limit	Depends on the model	Compare the reading with the processor’s Tjunction maximum or maximum operating temperature.

Modern processors protect themselves by reducing clock speed and power when they approach a thermal limit. If throttling cannot keep the processor within a safe range, the system may shut down. This protection reduces the chance of immediate damage, but repeated operation at the limit can reduce performance and usually indicates that the cooling system deserves attention.

Find the exact maximum temperature for your CPU

1. Identify the processor model in Task Manager under Performance and CPU, or open Settings, System, and About.
2. For an Intel processor, search the model in Intel ARK and find Tjunction or Tcase under the package specifications.
3. For an AMD processor, open the official product page and find Max. Operating Temperature (Tjmax).

Maximum temperatures vary significantly. Intel states that Tjunction maximum is usually between 100°C and 110°C for its processors, while AMD product specifications include values such as 89°C, 95°C, and 100°C depending on the model.

How to test CPU temperature under load

1. Start HWiNFO, Core Temp, or Libre Hardware Monitor.
2. Allow the PC to sit at the desktop for about five minutes and note the idle temperature.
3. Reset the recorded minimum and maximum values.
4. Run the game or application that normally causes heat or fan noise.
5. Continue for 10 to 20 minutes so the cooling system reaches a stable state.
6. Check the maximum temperature, clock speed, fan speed, and any thermal throttling indicator.
7. Compare the maximum value with the official limit for your processor.

A real workload is often more useful than a synthetic stress test because it reflects how you actually use the PC. A stress test can still help with troubleshooting, but it creates an unusually demanding load. Stop the test if the system becomes unstable, reaches its thermal limit, or shuts down.

Why is the CPU temperature too high?

High CPU temperature usually has one or more of the following causes:

• Dust is blocking a heat sink, fan, filter, or air vent.
• The CPU cooler is loose or mounted unevenly.
• Thermal paste is old, damaged, or incorrectly applied.
• A fan is not spinning or a liquid cooling pump has failed.
• The case has poor airflow or the laptop is resting on a soft surface.
• The room temperature is unusually high.
• An application or background process is keeping the processor busy.
• Overclocking, increased voltage, or aggressive motherboard power limits are producing extra heat.
• A compact laptop is using a performance mode designed to allow higher temperatures.

How to lower CPU temperature

1. Check CPU usage

Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and sort the process list by CPU usage. Close an application only when you recognize it and know that it is safe to stop. A Windows update, antivirus scan, game launcher, browser tab, or software build can create a temporary load.

2. Improve airflow

Make sure desktop intake and exhaust vents are not blocked. Place a laptop on a hard, flat surface. Do not use it on a blanket, sofa, or other material that can cover the cooling openings.

3. Remove dust safely

Turn off the PC, disconnect power, and follow the manufacturer’s service instructions before opening the case. Clean filters, fans, heat sinks, and vents carefully. Prevent fans from spinning freely while using compressed air because excessive speed can damage a fan.

4. Check fans and a liquid cooling pump

Confirm that the CPU fan is spinning and connected to the correct motherboard header. For a liquid cooler, check whether the pump is detected and whether its speed is plausible. Grinding, clicking, or sudden temperature spikes can indicate a mechanical problem.

5. Return overclocking and voltage settings to default

Restore default BIOS or UEFI settings if the processor has been overclocked or if voltage and power limits were changed. Manufacturer performance modes can also raise temperature and fan noise. A balanced mode may provide a better compromise for everyday use.

6. Reseat or replace the cooler

If temperatures remain unusually high, the cooler may not make proper contact with the processor. Reseating a cooler and applying new thermal paste can help, but this requires the correct procedure and may affect a laptop warranty. Use a professional repair service when you are not comfortable working inside the device.

7. Upgrade the cooling solution

A higher capacity air cooler, a properly sized liquid cooler, or improved case fans may be required for a high-power processor. Check case clearance, socket compatibility, power limits, and the processor manufacturer’s recommendations before buying new cooling hardware.

CPU temperature FAQ

Conclusion

The easiest reliable way to check CPU temperature in Windows 11 and Windows 10 is HWiNFO in Sensors-only mode. Core Temp provides a simpler view, while Libre Hardware Monitor is a useful open source alternative. BIOS or UEFI works without an installation, but it cannot show temperature during a normal Windows workload.

Do not rely on Task Manager for CPU temperature, and treat PowerShell ACPI values as limited diagnostic information. Always compare the maximum recorded temperature with the official Tjunction maximum for your exact processor model.

Official sources and tool pages

• HWiNFO official website
• Core Temp official website
• Libre Hardware Monitor official GitHub repository
• Microsoft instructions for opening UEFI firmware settings
• Microsoft information about WMIC removal
• Intel processor temperature information
• AMD CPU performance and temperature troubleshooting