---
name: "zcfan"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "zcfan"
version: "1.4.0-2"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/zcfan"
---

# zcfan(1)

zero-configuration fan control daemon for ThinkPads

## NAME

zcfan - zero-configuration fan control daemon for ThinkPads

## DESCRIPTION

**zcfan** is a minimal, zero-configuration fan control daemon for ThinkPads.

## OPTIONS

**zcfan** does not take any options. If any are provided, a help message will be printed and **zcfan** will exit.

## CONFIGURATION

### USAGE

**zcfan** has the following default fan states:

| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Config name | thinkpad\_acpi fan level | Default trip temperature (C) |
| max\_temp | 7 | 90 |
| med\_temp | 4 | 80 |
| low\_temp | 1 | 70 |

You can optionally override this configuration at */etc/zcfan.conf* with your desired threshold values in the following format:

```
max_temp 85
med_temp 70
low_temp 55
```

If no trip temperature is reached, the fan will be turned off.

### HYSTERESIS

We will only reduce the fan level again once:

- 1\.

  The temperature is now at least *temp\_hysteresis* Celsius below the trip point (default 10C), and

- 2\.

  At least 3 seconds have elapsed since the initial trip.

This avoids unnecessary fluctuations in fan speed.

### WATCHDOG

The kernel watchdog is reset every 120 seconds by default, but a smaller value can be selected in the */etc/zcfan.conf* config file with the syntax

```
watchdog_secs 10
```

## DEPENDENCIES

**thinkpad-acpi** must be loaded with *fan\_control=1.*

## SEE ALSO

[**thinkfan**(1)](/thinkfan/1.md)

## AUTHOR

Chris Down ⟨chris@chrisdown.name⟩

## REPORTING BUGS

Please send bug reports to ⟨https://github.com/cdown/zcfan/issues⟩.