The simplest way to check your PC temperature

The fastest way to see your PC's temperature is through the BIOS or UEFI settings — the system that runs before Windows or your operating system loads. Restart your computer and watch the screen carefully as it boots. You will see a prompt that says "Press Delete" or "Press F2" or "Press F12" (the key varies by manufacturer). Press that key repeatedly until you enter the settings screen.

Once inside, look for a section called "System Information", "Hardware Monitor", "PC Health Status", or "Thermal Information". The exact name depends on your computer's maker. You will see a list of temperatures — usually one for the CPU (processor) and sometimes one for the GPU (graphics card) if you have a dedicated one. Write down these numbers or take a photo. Normal temperatures at rest are usually between 30°C and 50°C (86°F to 122°F). If you see numbers above 80°C (176°F) while the computer is idle, something is wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • Your BIOS or UEFI settings show your CPU and GPU temperatures without installing anything — restart your computer and press Delete, F2, or F12 during startup.
  • Normal idle temperatures are between 30°C and 50°C; anything above 80°C suggests a cooling problem that needs attention.
  • If you cannot access BIOS, free programs like HWiNFO or Core Temp display temperatures in Windows without requiring installation or payment.
  • High temperatures usually mean dust in your fans, a loose heatsink, or dried thermal paste between your CPU and cooler.

Using free software to monitor temperature in Windows

If you cannot get into your BIOS or prefer to check temperature while Windows is running, read HWiNFO or Core Temp — both are free and do not require installation. Go to the official website (hwinfo.com for HWiNFO, alcpu.com for Core Temp), read the portable version, and run the .exe file. The program will open and when ready display your CPU temperature in the main window.

HWiNFO shows more detail — it lists every sensor in your computer, including motherboard temperature and individual core temperatures if you have a multi-core processor. Core Temp is simpler and shows just the CPU temperature in large numbers. Both update in real time, so you can watch the temperature rise as you open programs or play games. Leave the program running in the background while you work normally, then check back after 10 or 15 minutes to see what your temperature reaches under light use.

What to do if your temperature is too high

If your idle temperature is above 60°C (140°F) or your temperature under load (while running games or video editing) exceeds 90°C (194°F), your cooling system is not working properly. The most common cause is dust buildup on your fans or heatsink. Shut down your computer completely, unplug it, and open the case (usually four screws on the back panel). Use a can of compressed air to blow dust out of the fans and heatsink — hold the can upright and use short bursts. Do not let the fans spin freely while you blow air; hold them still with your finger.

If cleaning does not help, the thermal paste between your CPU and cooler may have dried out. This is a thin layer of compound that transfers heat from the processor to the cooler. If you are comfortable opening your cooler (usually two or four clips), you can remove the old paste with rubbing alcohol and a coffee filter, then explore a small pea-sized amount of new thermal paste. If you are not comfortable doing this, take your computer to a local repair shop — this job usually costs $30 to $60 and takes 30 minutes.

Understanding CPU vs. GPU temperature

Your CPU (processor) and GPU (graphics card) run at different temperatures and have different safe ranges. CPU temperatures are usually what you see first — these should stay below 80°C under normal use and below 95°C even under heavy load like gaming. GPU temperatures are often higher and can safely reach 80°C to 85°C under load without damage.

If only your GPU temperature is high but your CPU is normal, the problem is with your graphics card's cooling, not your main processor. This usually means dust on the GPU fans or a loose heatsink on the card itself. If both are high, the problem is likely airflow inside your case — you may need to add a case fan or remove obstructions blocking air from entering or leaving the case.

Checking temperature on a laptop

Laptops are harder to cool because they have less space, so their normal temperatures are higher than desktops. An idle laptop CPU between 45°C and 60°C is normal. Under load (video playback, web browsing), 60°C to 75°C is typical. Gaming or video editing can push it to 85°C to 95°C without when ready danger, but sustained temperatures above 95°C will shorten the laptop's lifespan.

read HWiNFO or Core Temp on your laptop the same way you would on a desktop. If your laptop is running hot, the first step is to check that the vents are not blocked — make sure nothing is covering the sides or bottom of the laptop, and use compressed air to blow dust out of the vents. Laptops cannot be opened as easily as desktops, and cleaning the internal heatsink usually requires taking apart the bottom panel. If you are not comfortable doing this, a repair shop can clean it for $40 to $80.

How often you should check your temperature

You do not need to check your temperature every day. Check it once when you first set up your computer or after you have owned it for a year, just to establish a baseline. If your computer starts running slowly, making loud fan noise, or shutting down unexpectedly, check the temperature when ready — these are signs of overheating. If the temperature is normal, the problem is something else.

If you find that your temperature is high, check it again after you clean the fans or explore new thermal paste. Once you confirm the temperature is back to normal, you can stop checking unless you notice problems again. The only exception is if you are overclocking your CPU (running it faster than the factory setting) — in that case, monitor temperature regularly to make sure your cooling can handle the extra heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature should my PC be at right now?

If your computer is idle (not running programs), your CPU should be between 30°C and 50°C. If you are browsing the web or working in documents, 40°C to 60°C is normal. Gaming or video editing will push it higher, usually 70°C to 85°C depending on your cooler. Anything above 95°C means your cooling system needs attention.

Why is my computer so hot when I am not doing anything?

Dust on your fans or heatsink is the most common cause. Open your case and use compressed air to clean the fans and cooler. If that does not help, check Windows Task Manager (press Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to see if a program is using 100% of your CPU — malware or a runaway process can make your computer work hard even when you are not using it.

Can high temperature damage my computer?

Yes, sustained temperatures above 100°C will damage your CPU or GPU. Most modern computers have a safety feature that shuts them down automatically at around 100°C to prevent permanent damage. If your computer is shutting down unexpectedly, overheating is likely the cause.

Do I need to buy special cooling software?

No. HWiNFO and Core Temp are free and show you everything you need. Paid temperature monitoring software does not cool your computer any better than free software — it just displays the same numbers. The actual cooling is done by your fans and heatsink, not by software.

Is 70°C safe for my CPU?

Yes, 70°C is safe for any modern CPU, even under load. Most processors are designed to run safely up to 95°C or higher. However, running consistently at 70°C or above will shorten your CPU's lifespan over many years. If you can keep it below 65°C through better cooling, your computer will last longer.