Windows 11 HP-14CK0517SA Laptop: How to reduce CPU fan noise

[Distorted Vision]

I have tried editing:

Power Options->Processor power management->Maximum processor state

On battery: 60%
Plugged in: 60%

This did not alleviate the problem.

@ChatGPT Please make suggestions.

 

[ChatGPT]

Got it. Dropping “Maximum processor state” rarely helps. Do this instead (most effective first):
1) Power plan tweaks (Windows)

• System cooling policy: set to Passive for both AC/DC.
• Expose boost controls, then reduce boost (this cuts fan ramping far more than capping “Maximum processor state”):
  • Run as admin:
    powercfg -attributes SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE -ATTRIB_HIDE
    powercfg -attributes SUB_PROCESSOR PERFENERGYPOLICY -ATTRIB_HIDE
  • Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings > Advanced:
  • Processor performance boost mode: Efficient aggressive (or Disabled if you want it extra quiet).
  • Processor energy performance preference policy: 80–90 (higher = quieter).
• Minimum processor state: 5%. Maximum: 99% (disables turbo on many systems) — test 99% before going lower.

2) HP-specific

• BIOS/UEFI: disable “Fan always on while AC power” (if present). Update BIOS and the Embedded Controller via HP Support Assistant.
• Install HP CoolSense or HP Command Center (if available for this model) and select Quiet/Comfort.

3) Thermals/housekeeping

• Clean the vents and fan (compressed air, short bursts). If you’re comfortable opening the chassis: clean the heatsink and consider fresh thermal paste.
• Use a cooling pad or prop the rear up 1–2 cm to improve intake airflow.
• In Task Manager, check for >5–10% constant CPU use (indexing, AV scans, cloud sync) and tame or schedule those.

If you share: Windows version, BIOS version, idle CPU temp (HWInfo), and whether “Fan always on” exists in your BIOS, I’ll tailor exact settings for your model and provide a one‑liner to set boost/EPP values automatically.

 

[Distorted Vision]

There is an issue with command:

powercfg -attributes SUB_PROCESSOR PERFENERGYPOLICY -ATTRIB_HIDE

It returned error:

Invalid Parameters -- try "/?" for help

@ChatGPT Please help

 

[ChatGPT]

You’re hitting “Invalid Parameters” because the alias is wrong. Use PERFEPP (not PERFENERGYPOLICY), or the GUID. To unhide a setting you use -ATTRIB_HIDE (minus removes the Hidden attribute). (learn.microsoft.com, superuser.com)
Do this in an elevated CMD or PowerShell:

• Unhide the controls
  powercfg -attributes SUB_PROCESSOR PERFEPP -ATTRIB_HIDE
  powercfg -attributes SUB_PROCESSOR PERFEPP1 -ATTRIB_HIDE
  powercfg -attributes SUB_PROCESSOR PERFBOOSTMODE -ATTRIB_HIDE
  (PERFEPP GUID: 36687f9e-e3a5-4dbf-b1dc-15eb381c6863)
• Set quieter behavior (example)
  powercfg -setacvalueindex scheme_current sub_processor PERFEPP 85
  powercfg -setdcvalueindex scheme_current sub_processor PERFEPP 95
  powercfg -setacvalueindex scheme_current sub_processor PERFBOOSTMODE 4
  powercfg -setdcvalueindex scheme_current sub_processor PERFBOOSTMODE 4
  powercfg -setactive scheme_current
  (PERFBOOSTMODE: 0=Disabled, 1=Enabled, 2=Aggressive, 3=Efficient Enabled, 4=Efficient Aggressive.)

Tip: Verify the aliases exist on your build:
powercfg /qh | findstr /i "PERFEPP PERFBOOSTMODE"
If they don’t show, use the GUID with -attributes as above.
This will expose the settings under Control Panel > Power Options > Advanced > Processor power management, letting you tune EPP and Boost to reduce fan ramping.

 

[Distorted Vision]

Edition: Windows 11 Home
Version: 24H2
Installed on: ‎01/‎09/‎2025
OS build: 26100.4946
Experience: Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.197.0

BIOS Version: F.64

Idle CPU Core temperature is reported in HWInfo is 56C-60C

Fan always on setting does not exist in the BIOS

 

[ChatGPT]

Thanks—that info helps. Since this is a fresh 24H2 install (Sep 1, 2025) and idle is 56–60°C, focus on Windows CPU policy, background load, and firmware.
Do these (Admin PowerShell/CMD):

• Unhide and set quiet CPU policy
  powercfg -attributes sub_processor perfepp -attrib_hide
  powercfg -attributes sub_processor perfboostmode -attrib_hide
  powercfg -setacvalueindex scheme_current sub_processor PERFEPP 85
  powercfg -setdcvalueindex scheme_current sub_processor PERFEPP 95
  powercfg -setacvalueindex scheme_current sub_processor PERFBOOSTMODE 4
  powercfg -setdcvalueindex scheme_current sub_processor PERFBOOSTMODE 4
  powercfg -setactive scheme_current
• Optional (extra quiet, less performance): cap turbo
  powercfg -setacvalueindex scheme_current sub_processor PERFBOOSTMODE 0
  Set “Maximum processor state” to 99% (AC/DC) in Advanced Power Options.

Windows and app housekeeping (quick wins)

• Power mode: Settings > System > Power & battery > Power mode = Best power efficiency.
• Task Manager: right‑click noisy apps > Efficiency mode (on). Check for constant CPU (indexing/AV/cloud sync) and pause or schedule.
• Indexing: Indexing Options > Modify > uncheck large folders you don’t search often.

HP/firmware and thermals

• Run HP Support Assistant; install any BIOS/EC updates (F.64 may not be latest). Quiet/Comfort modes (HP Command Center/CoolSense) if available.
• Clean vents with short bursts of compressed air; slightly raise the rear for airflow. Repaste only if you’re comfortable.

If the fan still ramps after these:

• Share a 5‑minute HWiNFO log (CPU package power, clocks, temps, fan RPM if exposed) and a Task Manager Processes screenshot at idle; I’ll pinpoint what’s keeping the CPU warm.

 

[Distorted Vision]

@ChatGPT I made a mistake Fan always on setting does exist in the BIOS. I have disabled this setting and it has resolved my issue.

You have resolved my issue. Thank you for your assistance.

 

[ChatGPT]

Great news—glad it’s sorted. “Fan always on while AC power” forces the fan to run to protect components, so disabling it is the quickest way to cut idle noise.
Keep an eye on temps for a few days (brief spikes are normal; sustained >85–90°C under load isn’t). For extra quiet:

• Use Balanced/Best power efficiency mode and HP’s Quiet/Comfort (if available).
• Keep vents clear; give the rear a little lift for airflow.
• If you ever see sustained high temps or the fan won’t spin up under load, re‑enable “Fan always on.”

If anything changes, ping me and we’ll tune it further.