---
name: "acpitool"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "acpitool"
version: "0.5.1-7+b1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/acpitool"
---

# acpitool(1)

a Linux ACPI client, allowing you to query or set ACPI values

## NAME

acpitool - a Linux ACPI client, allowing you to query or set ACPI values

## SYNOPSIS

**acpitool \[ -aAbBcefFhjlmnosStTvVwWz \]**

## DESCRIPTION

**acpitool** is a Linux ACPI client. It simply reads  */proc/acpi* or  */sys/class* entries and presents the output in a meaningful, human-readable format.\

It provides a.o. information on battery status, AC adapter presence, thermal reading, etc. This command is most useful on laptops with an ACPI compliant BIOS and a Linux kernel, preferably from the 2.6 series, with ACPI enabled.\

**Acpitool** also allows the machine to be put into standby, if your laptop supports it.\

If your laptop is a  **Toshiba** , it allows you to set the LCD brightness level and toggle the fan on/off.\

If you have an **Asus** laptop, it can also set the LCD brightness level, switch the LCD panel on or off, and control the mail led and wireless led.

If you have an **IBM Thinkpad** laptop, it can once again set the LCD brightness level, and also eject the ultrabay device.

## OPTIONS

- **-a, --ac\_adapter**

  Show AC adapter presence

- **-A**

  Show supported Asus ACPI extensions (LCD brightness level, video out routing DSDT/acpi4asus info)

- **-b**

  Show battery status information, available batteries only.

- **-B, --battery**

  Show detailed battery status information, for all battery entries found.

- **-c, --cpu**

  Show CPU information (type, speed, PM capabilities, throttling states, c-state usage, frequency scaling).

- **-e**

  Show just about everything : more info on the batteries, ACPI version, kernel version, CPU, . . .

- **-f, --fan**

  Show fan status (shows fan info specific to Toshiba or IBM Thinkpad, if applicable).

- **-F x**

  Force the fan on (x=1) or switch back to auto mode (x=0). Works only on Toshiba laptops. The fan is switched off ONLY if it was forced on first, not if it was switched on  automatically. Requires write access to  */proc/acpi/toshiba/fan*

- **-h, --help**

  Show help text.

- **-j**

  Eject Thinkpad ultrabay device. Requires write access to */proc/acpi/ibm/bay*

- **-l x**

  Set LCD brightness level to x, where x is in the range 0..7. Works only on Toshiba and IBM Thinkpad laptops. Requires write access to  */proc/acpi/toshiba/lcd* or */proc/acpi/ibm/brightness*\
   Illegal values for x will result in the value being set to either 0 or 7.

- **-m x**

  Switch the mail led on (x=1) or off (x=0). Works only on Asus laptops. Requires write access to  */proc/acpi/asus/mled*\

- **-n x**

  Switch the wireless led on (x=1) or off (x=0). Works only on Asus laptops. Requires write access to  */proc/acpi/asus/wled*\

- **-o x**

  Switch the LCD panel on (x=1) or off (x=0). Works only on Asus laptops. Requires write access to  */proc/acpi/asus/lcd*\

- **-s, --suspend to memory**

  Put the machine into sleep state S3, if possible. Requires write access to  */proc/acpi/sleep* (kernel 2.4.x) or */sys/power/state* (kernel 2.6.x)

- **-S, --suspend to disk ?**

  Put the machine into sleep state S4, if possible. Requires write access to  */proc/acpi/sleep* (kernel 2.4.x) or */sys/power/state* (kernel 2.6.x)

- **-t, --thermal**

  Show thermal zone(s) information, including trip\_points.

- **-T, --Toshiba**

  Show supported Toshiba ACPI extensions, currently being LCD brightness level, video out routing (what display is the video chip sending to) and fan status (on/off, forced or not).

- **-v**

  Show more verbose output when something is not found. Makes sense only when used together with other options.

- **-V, --version**

  Show acpitool version number and release date, then exit.

- **-w**

  Show the wakeup capable devices. (Available since ACPI 20040715, check your version).

- **-W x**

  Enable/disable wakeup capable device x. Run 'acpitool -w' to see valid numbers for x. Requires write access to  */proc/acpi/wakeup*

- **-z x**

  Set Asus LCD brightness level to x, where x is 0..15. Works only on Asus laptops. Requires write access to  */proc/acpi/asus/brn*

## REMARKS

This program absolutely requires a Linux kernel with ACPI support enabled. This program will not work without it. \

IBM Thinkpad support is part of the Linux kernel since kernel 2.6.10. \

Don't blame me if **acpitool** can't suspend your laptop : there are quite some problematic laptops out there. Check the acpi-bugzilla list if you don't believe me ;)\

Note that some options, like -F, -l , -j, -s, -W  and -z, require write access to some of the   */proc/acpi* entries. This requires  **acpitool** either to be run as **root** or either administrative measures must be taken, most likely by root, to allow ordinary users to write to these files. Creating a group for ACPI users and setting permissions accordingly comes to mind.\

Also note that older laptops (\< 2000) often simply don't have ACPI support, they usually support APM only.

## BUGS

Let me know if you think you found one.

## FILES

*/proc/acpi/...*\
 */proc/acpi/toshiba*\
 */proc/acpi/asus*\
 */proc/acpi/ibm*\
 */sys/power/state*

## HOMEPAGE

http://freeunix.dyndns.org:8000/site2/acpitool.shtml

## AUTHOR

This program is written and maintained by David Leemans (davidleemans \|at\| scarlet \|dot\| be) and may be freely distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License.  There is ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY for this program.