Jump to content
HP Customer Support

HP CoolSense Technology

  • PrintPrint
  • Share
This document pertains to HP Notebook PCs with HP CoolSense Technology running Windows 8 and Windows 7 .
HP CoolSense Technology is a feature in some HP notebook computers that combines hardware, software, and mechanical design to dynamically manage the temperature of your notebook computer, and help keep you comfortable while using it. HP CoolSense Technology uses a motion sensor in your notebook computer to sense when your computer is being used in a stationary or mobile setting, and automatically adjusts the computer performance and fan speed to keep the computer cool. HP CoolSense software allows you to specify your cooling preferences. Use this document to configure and use your HP CoolSense software.

Configuring HP CoolSense 2.1

HP CoolSense 2.1 is designed to run on notebook computers with HP CoolSense Technology and Windows 8 or Windows 7.
NOTE:This section uses images and directions for HP CoolSense version 2.1. Images and directions for HP CoolSense version 2.0 are similar but may vary slightly.
To configure the cooling preferences on computers with HP CoolSense version 2.1, follow the steps below.
  1. Windows 8
    Press the Windows + W keys on the keyboard, type hp coolsense into the Search field for Settings, and then click HP CoolSense from the list of results.
    The HP CoolSense icon is displayed on the task bar.
    Windows 7
    Click Start , type hp coolsense in the Search field, then select HP CoolSense from the list.
    The HP CoolSense icon is displayed on the task bar.
    Figure 1: Task bar
    Task bar with CoolSense icon
  2. Click the HP CoolSense icon in the task bar to display the configuration box.
    Figure 2: HP CoolSense configuration box
    Image of HP CoolSense configuration box displayed above task bar.
  3. Click On (default) or Off to change the settings. Click About for a description of HP CoolSense settings or to view the program's version number.
    • On - HP CoolSense automatically detects if your notebook computer is not in a stationary position and adjusts computer performance and fan settings to keep your computer's surface temperature at a comfortable level. When HP CoolSense is On , the icon in the task bar is blue.
    • Off - HP CoolSense does not automatically adjust your notebook computer's performance or fan settings beyond default cooling settings. The surface temperature of your notebook computer may be higher than it would be with HP CoolSense turned on. When HP CoolSense is Off , the icon in the task bar is black.
    • About - Displays a description of HP CoolSense settings and version number.
      Figure 3: About HP CoolSense
      Image of About HP CoolSense screen
Back to top

Configuring HP CoolSense 1.0

HP CoolSense 1.0 is designed to run on HP notebook computers with HP CoolSense Technology and Windows 7. HP CoolSense 1.0 is part of the HP Support Assistant program.
NOTE:HP CoolSense 1.0 is also known as HP Thermal Assistant.
To configure the cooling preferences on computers with HP CoolSense 1.0, follow the steps below.
  1. Click Start , type hp support assistant in the Search field, then select HP Support Assistant from the list. If prompted, allow the action to continue.
  2. On the HP Support Assistant Home screen, click the Learn button.
    Figure 4: HP Support Assistant
    HP Support Assistant with Learn selected
  3. On the Learn screen, click the HP CoolSense button.
    NOTE:Early revisions of HP CoolSense 1.0 may display as HP Thermal Assistant in HP Support Assistant.
    Figure 5: HP Support Assistant - HP CoolSense
    Image of HP Support Assistant with HP CoolSense button highlighted.
    If prompted, allow the action to continue. The HP CoolSense program opens.
  4. On the Select a mode: screen, select a cooling option under the Stationary mode and the Mobil mode .
    Figure 6: HP CoolSense
    Image of HP CoolSense configuration screen
    The modes are:
    • Stationary mode - When the motion sensor detects that the computer is on a stable, stationary surface (such as a desk or a table), the option selected here is used for cooling.
    • Mobile mode - When the motion sensor detects that the computer is in a mobile setting (such as a sofa or a chair), the option selected here is used for cooling.
    The cooling options for each mode are:
    • Coolest Mode - Select this option to maintain the coolest temperature possible. The fan spins more frequently and the computer performance is adjusted to avoid temperature increases.
    • Performance Optimized Mode - Select this option to maintain the highest computer performance possible. The computer might become warm to the touch as the CPU is allowed to run at full capacity. The fans may run frequently, and at higher speeds, to help keep the computer temperature down.
    • Quietest Mode - Select this option to run as quietly as possible. Computer performance is adjusted to keep the computer cool so the fans do not need to run very often or at a high speed.
  5. Click Apply to save the changes and exit the HP CoolSense and the HP Support Assistant programs.
Back to top

Upgrading from HP CoolSense 1.0 to HP CoolSense 2.1

HP CoolSense 1.0 (HP Thermal Assistant) is designed to run through, and is installed with, HP Support Assistant on some Windows 7 notebook computers. While installing updates through HP Support Assistant is beneficial, some updates to HP Support Assistant may cause HP CoolSense 1.0 to stop working. To fix this problem, or to upgrade your computer from HP CoolSense 1.0 to HP CoolSense 2.1, follow all the steps below in order .

Step 1: Upgrade HP Support Assistant to the latest version

Follow these steps to upgrade HP Support Assistant to the latest version:
  1. Go to the HP Support Assistant web site.
  2. Under Download HP Support Assistant , click the Notebooks, laptops, and netbooks link.
  3. When prompted, click Save , select a location on your computer that is easy to remember, such as your desktop, and then click Save again.
  4. Double-click the file you saved on your computer to open the HP Support Assistant - InstallShield Wizard .
  5. Follow the instructions in the InstallShield Wizard to complete the installation.

Step 2: Uninstall HP Software Framework

Follow these steps to uninstall HP Software Framework and HP CoolSense.
  1. Click Start , and then click Control Panel .
  2. On the Control Panel window, under Programs , click Uninstall a program .
    Figure 7: Control Panel
    Image of Control Panel with Uninstall a program highlighted
  3. On the Uninstall or change a program window, select HP Software Framework , and then click Uninstall . If prompted, allow the uninstall action to continue.
    After the HP Software Framework uninstall is complete, look for an HP CoolSense program, and uninstall it. If there is no HP CoolSense program listed, continue to the next step.
    Figure 8: Uninstall or change a program
    Image of the Uninstall or change a program window
  4. Close the Uninstall or change a program window, and then restart the computer .
  5. As the computer restarts, press the f10 key repeatedly to enter the BIOS Setup.
  6. On the BIOS Setup screen, press the f9 key to Load Setup Defaults , and then press the Enter key to confirm the action.
  7. Press the f10 key to Save and Exit , and then press the Enter key to confirm the action.
  8. The computer will restart. Allow Windows to load completely, and then proceed with the next step.

Step 3: Install a new version of HP Software Framework

Follow these steps to install a new version of HP Software Framework.
  1. Download the file HP Software Framework sp59202 and save it to a convenient location on your hard drive. Make a note of the location where the downloaded file is saved.
  2. Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions.
  3. After the installation is complete, restart the computer .

Step 4: Install HP CoolSense 2.1

Follow these steps to install HP CoolSense 2.1.
  1. Download the file HP CoolSense Technology sp59606 and save it to a convenient. location on your hard drive. Make a note of the location where the downloaded file is saved.
  2. Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions.
  3. After the installation is complete, restart the computer .
See the Configuring HP CoolSense 2.1 section of this document to configure and use HP CoolSense 2.1.
Back to top

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HP CoolSense supported on all notebook computer models?

Show all | Hide all
HP CoolSense is not installed, nor is it supported, on all notebook computers. HP CoolSense software will only work on computers that have specific hardware, software, and design features. If your computer originally came with any version of HP CoolSense software pre-installed, your computer has HP CoolSense Technology.
Downloading and installing any version of the HP CoolSense program on a notebook computer that does not have HP CoolSense Technology may result in a HP CoolSense is not supported on this machine message.
Figure 9: HP CoolSense not supported
Image of HP CoolSense is not support on this machine message.

Can I install HP CoolSense 1.0 as a stand-alone program?

HP CoolSense 1.0 works on supported models and is installed as part of HP Support Assistant. It is not possible to install HP CoolSense 1.0 separately. To install and run HP CoolSense as a stand-alone application, follow the instructions in the Upgrading from HP CoolSense 1.0 to HP CoolSense 2.1 section of this document. HP CoolSense 2.1 can be installed as a stand-alone program on supported notebook computer models with HP CoolSense Technology.

Why did HP CoolSense stop working after an HP Support Assistant update?

HP CoolSense 1.0 (HP Thermal Assistant) was designed to run as part of earlier versions of HP Support Assistant. After updating to later versions of HP Support Assistant, HP CoolSense 1.0 may stop working. To fix this issue, follow the steps in the Upgrading from HP CoolSense 1.0 to HP CoolSense 2.1 section of this document.
Back to top