How to Check CPU Temperature and Hardware Thermal Sensors in Ubuntu

Whether running high-performance software development builds, compiling large codebases, playing native games via Proton, or managing a compact home server, keeping computer hardware within safe operating temperatures is critical for system stability. Excessive thermal throttling causes performance degradation, unexpected emergency shutdowns, and long-term hardware wear. In Ubuntu Linux, the standard hardware monitoring framework—powered by lm-sensors—allows users to inspect real-time CPU core temperatures, motherboard thermal probes, and cooling fan speeds with pinpoint accuracy.

Why Monitoring Hardware Temperatures Matters in Linux

Keeping an eye on thermal metrics in Ubuntu provides crucial system diagnostic benefits:

• Detecting Thermal Throttling: Modern Intel and AMD processors automatically lower clock speeds when exceeding 90°C to 100°C; monitoring temps reveals if cooling solutions need fresh thermal paste.
• Verifying Cooling Fan Operation: Confirming that cooling fans dynamically increase RPM under load prevents catastrophic overheating.
• Server & Laptop Health: Identifies blocked laptop intake vents or clogged desktop radiator filters before component damage occurs.

Step 1: Installing and Configuring lm-sensors

The standard hardware monitoring package is available directly from the official Ubuntu repositories:

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard to launch the terminal.
2. Install the sensors package:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt install lm-sensors

3. Once installed, run the automated hardware sensor detection wizard:

   sudo sensors-detect

4. The wizard will ask a series of diagnostic probing questions. To accept safe defaults for all probes automatically, type YES to each prompt (or press Enter).
5. At the very end of the scan, when prompted to add the detected kernel modules to /etc/modules automatically, type yes and press Enter.

Step 2: Checking Real-Time Temperatures in the Terminal

Now that your hardware kernel drivers are initialised, querying temperatures is instantaneous:

1. In your open terminal, execute:

   sensors

2. The command prints a comprehensive hardware breakdown:
   • CPU Core Temperatures: Displays individual package and per-core temperatures (e.g., Core 0: +42.0°C) alongside high (high = +80.0°C) and critical shutdown thresholds (crit = +100.0°C).
   • Cooling Fan Speeds: Shows fan tachometer readings in revolutions per minute (RPM).
   • Motherboard & NVMe Probes: Displays chipset temperatures and solid-state drive operating thermals.

Continuously Monitoring Temperatures with Watch

To watch temperature fluctuations update dynamically while stressing your computer:

1. Run sensors inside the terminal watch utility:

   watch -n 1 sensors

2. The terminal will refresh your sensor readings every single second, allowing you to monitor thermal curves during gaming or file compression. Press Ctrl + C to exit.

Graphically Monitoring Temps with Psensor

If you prefer an elegant desktop interface with graphical charts and tray temperature badges:

1. Install Psensor via APT:

   sudo apt install psensor

2. Launch Psensor from your Ubuntu application menu.
3. The utility presents real-time line graphs tracking temperature changes across time and can anchor a live temperature readout directly in your top GNOME panel.