How to Check M.2 SSD Temperature Like a Pro in Windows 11/10

Updated by

Sherly 

Written by

Tracy King 

Updated on April 22, 2024

The exceptional speed and compact physical dimensions of M.2 solid-state drives (SSDs) have contributed significantly to their increasing popularity. As a result, monitoring their temperature has become a crucial factor to consider. It is essential to keep an eye on the temperature of your M.2 SSD because excessive heat can affect its performance and lifespan. Professionals employ various practical methods to check the temperature of M.2 SSDs.

These methods encompass examining the motherboard's BIOS or UEFI configuration, utilizing the SSD manufacturer's software, and even employing an Infrared thermometer. However, for many newcomers, these approaches can be perplexing and daunting. This guide aims to present the simplest way to check the temperature of an M.2 SSD. It will offer a straightforward, step-by-step instruction set to guarantee that you can accurately gauge the temperature of your M.2 SSD.

How to Check M.2 SSD Temperature [Step-by-Step Guide] Translation: How to Check the Temperature of an M.2 SSD [A Step-by-Step Guide]

Monitoring the temperature of your M.2 SSD is a straightforward yet vital task to guarantee its peak performance and prevent overheating. In this comprehensive guide, we'll guide you through the simple and detailed steps to check the temperature of your M.2 SSD:

#1. Preparations

Before you start checking the temperature of your M.2 SSD, there are some things you gotta do first. Here's a quick rundown of the requirements in a table: | Preparation | Description | | --- | --- | | compatible hardware | Make sure you got a computer with an M.2 SSD slot and a system that supports monitoring hardware temps. | | software tools | Download and install a trustworthy temp monitoring app like HWMonitor or CrystalDiskInfo, which shows M.2 SSD temps. | | system access | Gotta have admin rights on your computer to run the temp monitoring software. | | device drivers | Keep all your device drivers, especially storage controllers, updated. | | clean workspace | Clear your work area so nothing blocks access to the M.2 SSD. | | safe mode (optional) | If you're having issues, boot your computer in safe mode to troubleshoot and check temps without extra software messing things up. Now that you've got all that done, you can go ahead and check your M.2 SSD's temperature using the software you picked.

#2. Download M.2 SSD Temperature Monitoring Software/Tool

Once you've completed the initial preparations, the next step is to download the M.2 SSD temperature checking tool - tools Partition Master. This tool is available for free and offers an excellent Disk Health feature.

With this feature, you can effortlessly determine the temperature of your M.2 SSD. Disk Health allows you to check your M.2 SSD's temperature, free space, health status, performance, and other relevant information.

This tool is incredibly user-friendly and presents comprehensive health reports in a manner that can be easily understood by even novice users. The procedure to check the temperature of your M.2 SSD is equally straightforward and merely necessitates a single click.

#3. Step-by-Step Guide to Checking M.2 SSD Temperature 1. **Obtain the necessary tools:** Before you start, ensure you have access to your computer's BIOS or UEFI settings and a temperature monitoring software. Some popular options for temperature monitoring include HWMonitor, SpeedFan, or MSI Afterburner. 2. **Boot into BIOS/UEFI:** - Restart your computer and press the designated key to enter BIOS or UEFI during the startup process. The key varies depending on your motherboard manufacturer; it could be F2, F10, Del, or Esc. Refer to your system's manual if unsure. 3. **Check System Information:** - In the BIOS/UEFI settings, navigate to the "System Information," "Hardware Health," or "Monitor" section. Look for an entry related to temperatures, like "M.2 SSD Temperature" or "PCI-E SSD Temperature." 4. **Install temperature monitoring software (if necessary):** - If the BIOS/UEFI doesn't show the M.2 SSD temperature, download and install a third-party temperature monitoring tool. Follow the software's instructions for installation. 5. **Launch the monitoring software:** - After installing, open the software. It should automatically detect your M.2 SSD and display its temperature. 6. **Interpreting the temperature readings:** - Normal operating temperatures for M.2 SSDs usually range between 30°C to 60°C (86°F to 140°F) under idle conditions, and up to 70°C (158°F) or slightly higher during heavy usage. If the temperature exceeds these ranges, consider improving airflow or using a cooling solution. 7. **Monitor temperature over time:** - Keep the software running while using your computer to monitor the temperature fluctuations. This will help you identify any potential overheating issues or patterns. 8. **Take preventive measures:** - If the M.2 SSD consistently runs hot, consider adding an M.2 SSD heatsink, improving case ventilation, or adjusting power settings in your BIOS/UEFI to reduce heat generation. 9. **Regular maintenance:** - Regularly check your SSD's temperature to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Overheating can lead to reduced lifespan and potential data loss. 10. **Stay updated:** - Keep your SSD firmware and monitoring software up to date to ensure accurate temperature readings and compatibility with the latest hardware.

By following these steps, you can easily monitor the temperature and take necessary actions if needed: 1. Install a reliable temperature monitoring device: Obtain a thermometer or a smart sensor that can accurately measure the temperature in your desired location. Ensure it is compatible with your requirements and has a good reputation for accuracy. 2. Choose the appropriate placement: Position the monitoring device in the area where you wish to track the temperature. This could be inside a room, near equipment, or in an outdoor setting, depending on your needs. Make sure it's away from direct sunlight, heat sources, or drafts that might affect the readings. 3. Set up alerts or notifications: Many temperature monitoring devices allow you to set custom temperature thresholds. Configure the device to send you alerts or notifications when the temperature goes above or below your predefined safe range. This can be done through email, SMS, or mobile app notifications. 4. Regularly check the readings: Even with alerts in place, it's essential to periodically review the temperature data to identify any trends or abnormalities. This will help you understand if there are consistent issues that need addressing. 5. Adjust conditions as necessary: If the temperature consistently falls outside the desired range, take action to correct the situation. This may involve adjusting heating or cooling systems, improving insulation, or modifying the environment in other ways. 6. Maintain and calibrate the device: To ensure accurate readings over time, perform regular maintenance on your temperature monitoring device. This may include cleaning the sensor, replacing batteries, or calibrating the device according to the manufacturer's instructions. 7. Record and analyze data: Keep a log of temperature readings to identify patterns and potential issues. This information can be valuable for future decision-making, such as identifying times of day when temperatures fluctuate or understanding seasonal variations. 8. Establish a response plan: Develop a plan for how you will respond if the temperature exceeds safe limits. This could involve shutting down equipment, relocating sensitive items, or calling for professional assistance. 9. Educate others: If you're sharing the monitored space with others, make sure they are aware of the importance of maintaining a safe temperature and understand the steps to take in case of an issue. 10. Review and update your monitoring system: As your needs change or new technologies emerge, reassess your temperature monitoring setup and make any necessary adjustments to ensure continued effectiveness. By implementing these steps, you'll have a robust system in place to keep track of temperatures and take timely actions to protect your environment, equipment, or products.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant and click the blue arrow to activate the "Disk Health" feature under the "Discovery" section.

Step 2. Select the target disk and click the "Refresh" button. You can then view the disk's health status.

From the disk health monitoring result window, you can clearly see the real-time temperature of your M.2 SSD in your PC.

Interpret the Temperature Test Result, & Confirm If the M.2 SSD Is Overheating

To better understand and interpret the temperature readings of your M.2 SSD, it's crucial to be aware of the typical operating temperatures for such devices.

The typical temperature range for an M.2 SSD operation is around 30ºC to 65ºC (or 86ºF to 149ºF).

This is generally considered acceptable, and where your M.2 SSD's temperature should be while in operation. As long as the SSD stays within this range, concern is usually unwarranted.

• ✔️Nonetheless, exceeding a temperature of 70ºC may lead to failure and eventually shorten the SSD's lifespan.
• ✔️However, if your M.2 SSD's temperature is above 60 degrees Celsius, it indicates a potential issue. Once an SSD's temperature surpasses 60 degrees, its performance is likely to degrade quickly.

This phenomenon is known as thermal throttling. To prevent this, it is recommended to keep the SSD temperature below this threshold.

Moreover, it is crucial to take into account the temperature during inactive periods. If the SSD's temperature exceeds 50 degrees Celsius while the system is idle, it is recommended to examine the root cause of this issue.

Ideally, when your computer is idle, the system temperature should not exceed 40 to 50 degrees Celsius.

You can refer to this page for more details: SSD Temperature Range.

Factors Affecting M.2 SSD Temperature and Tips to Cool Down an Overheating M.2 SSD

To guarantee optimal performance and prevent possible damage, it's crucial to understand the elements that can influence the temperature of your M.2 SSD. In this discussion, we will delve into these factors, advise on when to check the M.2 SSD temperature, and offer practical guidance to cool down an overheating M.2 SSD:

Factors Affecting M.2 SSD Temperature

Understanding the factors that can influence the temperature of your M.2 SSD is vital. Numerous elements can affect the temperature of your Solid State Drive, and knowing these factors enables you to make educated choices concerning cooling and maintenance. In this section, we will examine the primary factors that can impact the temperature of your M.2 SSD:

Drive Utilization ?

The extent to which you're utilizing the SSD can significantly influence its temperature. When the SSD is involved in constant read/write operations or running resource-intensive applications, it consumes more power and produces more heat. This heightened heat generation can cause the SSD's temperature to rise.

Drive Capacity?

The capacity of an M.2 SSD can indeed influence its temperature, though the difference is typically not substantial. Larger capacity SSDs usually have more NAND flash memory chips, and during data operations, these chips may be active concurrently. This increased activity can lead to slightly higher heat generation.

What is the ambient temperature?

The temperature of the environment in which the SSD operates can affect its overall temperature. As the ambient temperature increases, the SSD's effective heat dissipation becomes more challenging. This is particularly crucial in situations where the computer is used in an inadequately ventilated or warm environment.

Overclocking?

Overclocking involves pushing a component, such as the SSD controller, beyond its specified clock speed or voltage limitations. When overclocking an SSD, the heightened voltage or clock speed can cause increased power consumption and generate more heat. This may lead to elevated temperatures within the SSD.

When Should You Check Your M.2 SSD Temperature?

Regularly monitoring the temperature of your M.2 SSD is deemed a good practice to ensure it operates within safe temperature limits. By keeping an eye on the temperature, you can proactively identify and address potential problems such as overheating. Here are some instances when you should consider checking the M.2 SSD's temperature: 1. **After prolonged usage:** Following extended periods of continuous operation, like during heavy gaming or data processing, check the temperature to ensure it hasn't exceeded safe levels. 2. **During system upgrades or installations:** When installing a new M.2 SSD or updating your system, it's advisable to monitor its temperature to rule out any compatibility issues that might cause overheating. 3. **In hot environments:** If you work or live in an environment with high temperatures, regularly checking the SSD temperature can help prevent performance degradation due to excessive heat. 4. **After applying firmware or driver updates:** Updates might inadvertently affect the SSD's thermal management; therefore, verifying the temperature post-update is crucial. 5. **Noticing performance drops:** If you observe a decline in your system's performance, such as slow boot times or file transfers, checking the SSD temperature could reveal overheating as the culprit. 6. **Using overclocked components:** Overclocking other system components can indirectly impact the M.2 SSD's temperature. Regular checks are recommended to maintain stability. 7. **When running intensive applications:** Applications that put a significant load on your storage device, like video rendering or database operations, can cause the SSD to heat up. Monitoring its temperature during these tasks is wise. 8. **Periodic maintenance:** As part of your routine system maintenance, include checking the M.2 SSD's temperature to ensure it stays within optimal operating conditions. By staying vigilant about your M.2 SSD's temperature, you can protect its longevity and maintain optimal performance.

Intensive or Prolonged Usage

When undertaking resource-intensive tasks like transferring large files, video editing, or gaming, your M.2 SSD undergoes a more substantial workload, which leads to higher heat generation compared to normal usage. This heightened heat production might potentially impact the temperature of the SSD. Regularly checking the temperature during or after these intense operations can assure you that the SSD is functioning within safe temperature ranges.

System Updates

It's advisable to monitor the temperature of your M.2 SSD if you've recently installed a new one or upgraded to a different model. Various SSDs can exhibit differing thermal behaviors, and alterations in storage capacity or performance might impact the temperature as well. By assessing the temperature following such upgrades or modifications, you can verify that the new SSD is operating correctly.

Performance Issues

If you notice a sudden decline in performance or encounter system sluggishness during disk-intensive activities, it could indicate the presence of thermal throttling. Thermal throttling is a safety feature employed by SSDs (Solid State Drives) to prevent overheating. When the SSD's temperature surpasses a specific limit, it might automatically decrease its performance to dissipate heat and avert potential damage.

Scheduled maintenance

Incorporating temperature monitoring into your routine system maintenance can assist you in proactively identifying any temperature-related issues with your M.2 SSD. You can schedule periodic checks using monitoring software or occasionally check the temperature manually. Regular monitoring enables you to establish temperature patterns under typical usage conditions, enabling you to detect any abnormal temperature increases that might signal a problem.

Tips for Optimizing M.2 SSD Temperature

Maintaining your M.2 SSD in optimal condition is beneficial for its long-term performance. Implementing these tips can help ensure optimal operating conditions and potentially prolong the lifespan of your SSD:

• Use Thermal Pads or Heat Sinks: Consider using thermal pads or heat sinks that are specifically designed for M.2 SSDs. These accessories increase the surface area for heat transfer, thereby effectively improving heat dissipation.

Here's the translation in English:
• Avoid Overclocking: Overclocking your M.2 SSD can raise its temperature. To address heat-related concerns, it is advised to avoid overclocking the drive, as it may result in abnormally high operating temperatures.

• Monitor Temperatures: Utilize software utilities or monitoring tools to monitor the temperature of your M.2 SSD. This will enable you to detect any potential overheating issues and take prompt action accordingly.

• Avoid Extreme Ambient Temperatures: Do not expose your computer to extreme ambient temperatures. Excessive high or low environmental temperatures can affect the operating temperature of your M.2 SSD.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to monitoring the temperature of your M.2 SSD, the tool Partition Master emerges as the top option. Its impressive Disk Health feature and user-friendly interface provide a comprehensive solution for keeping a watchful eye on your SSD's temperature and ensuring its peak performance. The Disk Health feature of Partition Master enables you to check M.2 SSD temperature with ease.

This valuable information enables you to proactively address any potential issues resulting from overheating, such as reduced performance or data loss. By consistently monitoring the temperature, you can take prompt measures to avert damage and prolong the lifespan of your SSD. Additionally, it offers various other features like 4K Alignment, file system check, surface test, and disk speed check. These features allow you to optimize your M.2 SSD to an almost flawless state.

Frequently Asked Questions About Checking M.2 SSD Temperature

Here, we'll tackle frequent inquiries and enlighten you on how to check the temperature of an M.2 SSD in Windows 11/10. Keep reading to find solutions to your pressing questions.

1. What is the best SSD temperature monitor? The best SSD temperature monitor depends on your preferences and platform, but some popular options include: - HWMonitor: A widely used software for monitoring hardware temperatures, including SSDs, on Windows PCs. - CrystalDiskInfo: A free utility that provides detailed information about your SSD's health, temperature, and other vital statistics. - Macs Fan Control: A macOS application that monitors and controls fan speeds to maintain optimal temperatures for SSDs and other components. - SpeedFan: A versatile tool that can monitor temperatures and adjust fan speeds on both Windows and macOS systems. - Linux command-line tools: For Linux users, you can use utilities like "sensors" from the lm-sensors package or "smartctl" to check SSD temperatures. Remember, it's essential to ensure proper ventilation and not to rely solely on software monitoring to prevent overheating.

When it comes to the best SSD temperature monitor, Partition Master emerges as a dependable and efficient option. Its Disk Health feature enables you to effortlessly and accurately monitor the temperature of your M.2 SSD. The software offers real-time temperature readings, allowing you to closely monitor your SSD's thermal performance.

< b > 2. When should I monitor or test my M.2 SSD temperature? You should monitor or test the temperature of your M.2 SSD under the following circumstances: 1. **During Heavy Workloads**: When you're running resource-intensive applications like video editing, gaming, or large file transfers, the SSD's temperature may rise significantly. Monitoring it during these activities can prevent potential overheating issues. 2. **After Upgrading or Installing**: After installing a new M.2 SSD or upgrading to a higher performance model, it's advisable to check its temperature to ensure it stays within safe limits. 3. **Performance Drops**: If you notice a decrease in your system's overall performance or the SSD's read/write speeds, checking the temperature might help identify if overheating is the cause. 4. **System Stability Issues**: Frequent crashes, freezes, or unexpected reboots could be signs of an overheating SSD. Measuring the temperature can help diagnose the problem. 5. **Long-term Usage**: Continuous usage over extended periods can lead to increased heat generation. Regular monitoring can help maintain optimal operating temperatures and prolong the SSD's lifespan. 6. **Hot Environment**: If your computer is located in a warm environment or has poor airflow, monitoring the SSD temperature becomes crucial to avoid thermal throttling or damage. 7. **After a Temperature-Related Warning**: If your system or SSD firmware provides temperature warnings, address the issue promptly by monitoring and testing the temperature. By keeping an eye on your M.2 SSD's temperature under these conditions, you can ensure its efficient operation, prevent potential damage, and maintain its longevity.

Monitoring or testing the temperature of your M.2 SSD is vital for maintaining its peak performance and lifespan. It's advisable to keep an eye on your SSD's temperature especially when involved in resource-intensive activities like gaming, video editing, or running demanding applications. Additionally, you should check your M.2 SSD's temperature if you experience frequent system crashes or slowdowns, and as part of your routine preventive maintenance.

3. How do I test my M.2 SSD on a Mac?

Here's how you can test your M.2 SSD on a Mac:

Step 1: Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner and hover your mouse pointer over "About This Mac." Now, press the "Option" key on your keyboard, and "About This Mac" will change to "System Information." Click on it.

Step 2: In the "System Information," navigate to the "Storage" tab and select your M.2 SSD. You'll be able to view all the details about your M.2 SSD, including its S.M.A.R.T status.