HP Zbook 15 G3 overheating problems with fans Thermal issues reported in this model Fan performance may be affected
HP Zbook 15 G3 overheating problems with fans Thermal issues reported in this model Fan performance may be affected
I own an HP Zbook 15 G3 that keeps its fans spinning nonstop. I've cleaned the fans and the whole laptop by taking it apart, swapping parts, adjusting settings in Windows 10, checking the system board with a thermal camera (no overheating parts), and updating or changing the BIOS. The problem remains consistent whether it runs on battery or plugged in, or without power at all. I also removed all nonessential components like the WAN module, GPU, and SSDs. This issue appears regardless of whether I use Windows or Ubuntu. One sensor always shows a dangerously high temperature of 100°C, while the board itself isn’t that hot. The CPU is also running at 0.79GHz; this can be fixed by using ThrottleStop and turning off PROC_HOT, which works well for hours. The main trouble comes when I disconnect a fan—either the GPU side or the CPU side—and the other fan slows down temporarily before returning to normal. This pattern happened with my second HP laptop (same model as this one), both were left in a cold place overnight. I can’t identify which thermal sensor is giving the wrong reading, nor do I know exactly what type of sensors are installed (ICs, diodes, resistors) or their positions. Anyone else faced this problem and found a solution?
I discovered a fix (hoping it sticks). First, I checked my BIOS and drivers—everything was up to date, so the loud fan issue wasn’t due to outdated software. Honestly, the fan sounds like it could use an upgrade in quality. HP likely had a quieter, smoother alternative. The main focus should be managing the fan. There are many options available, but I found this Notebook Fan Control tool (nbfc) really helpful: https://github.com/hirschmann/nbfc/releases. When you open it, pick a profile—there’s one set up for the Zbook that worked well for me. Click the “Enabled” switch and the fan should shut off instantly, cutting down the noise. You’ll still hear it when it spins, but it’s nowhere near as loud. It also displays the fan speed in percentage (not RPM) and shows CPU temperature from the tray. This is great—it proves the machine handles cooling well without overheating. So it seems this was mostly a software issue. Even at half speed, the noise remains excessive. I believe a better fan could have been installed, but now I’m confident the computer won’t overheat. Also, using this utility lets you hear the fan start up and notice reduced noise even at 95% speed—no more rattling sounds. This little tool is a real lifesaver.
Thank you for your feedback. This laptop is owned by someone who shouldn't interact with fan controls or run admin-level programs. I'm looking for a lasting fix to the problem—possibly by desoldering and replacing board parts—rather than relying on an app. Appreciate your help.