How to check SSD and HDD temperatures on Windows 11

• To check the drive temperature on Windows 11, open Settings > System > Storage > Disks & volumes, click the “Properties” button for the drive, and confirm the temperature.
• Alternatively, you can use PowerShell commands and install CrystalDiskInfo to determine the hard drive temperature.

On Windows 11, you have more than one way to check the temperature of the hard drive, and in this guide, I’ll show you several ways using the Settings app, PowerShell, and the CrystalDiskInfo (third-party) tool.

Usually, you don’t think about checking the hard drive temp on your computer, but depending on your work environment or the task at hand, it’s a good idea to do so since running a storage drive at a high temperature can affect performance and cause other problems.

As a rule of thumb, running a drive below 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit) is a good temperature. Anything higher could indicate an overheating issue with the drive. Hard drives typically run between 30 (86F) and 45 (113F) degrees Celsius.

Related

How to check, enable (or disable) TRIM for SSDs on Windows 11

If you have Windows 11 installed on your computer, you don’t need third-party tools, since the Settings app and PowerShell include a feature to check the drive’s health, including temperature. However, these options are only available for Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) Solid-State Drives (SSDs).

On the other hand, you can also use third-party apps, such as CrystalDiskInfo, to check the temperature of the drive regardless of the media type, including NVMe, legacy SSDs, and traditional rotating platter Hard Disk Drives (HDDs).

In this guide, I will show you how to determine the drive temperature in Windows 11.

• Check hard drive temperature using Settings on Windows 11
• Check hard drive temperature using PowerShell on Windows 11
• Check hard drive temperature using CrystalDiskInfo on Windows 11
• FAQs about checking the SSD temperature on Windows 11

Check hard drive temperature using Settings on Windows 11

To find out the hard drive’s current temperature via the Settings app, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on System.

3. Click the Storage page.

4. Click on “Advanced storage settings.”

5. Select the “Disks & volumes” setting.

   

6. Click the Properties button for the drive.

   

7. Confirm the drive temperature under the “Drive health” section.

   

Once you complete the steps, the Settings app will show you the drive’s current temperature, which is valuable information you can use to troubleshoot problems or rethink the device’s cooling system.

In addition to temperature, the “Drive health” feature also shows the estimated remaining storage life and available space. The feature can also notify you of any hardware abnormalities, helping you back up your data to prevent data loss.

Check hard drive temperature using PowerShell on Windows 11

To check your system’s SSD temperature using PowerShell, follow these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for PowerShell (or Terminal), right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type this command to check the temperature of all the SSDs on your computer and press Enter:

   Get-PhysicalDisk | ForEach-Object { $t = Get-StorageReliabilityCounter -PhysicalDisk $_; [PSCustomObject]@{ FriendlyName = $_.FriendlyName; Temperature = $t.Temperature } }

   

After you complete the steps, the PowerShell command will list the temperature for every storage device installed on your computer running Windows 11.

Check hard drive temperature using CrystalDiskInfo on Windows 11

To check the drive temperature with the CrystalDiskInfo app on Windows 11 (or 10), use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for CrystalDiskInfo and click the top result to open the app.

   Quick tip: If you don’t already have the app, you can open Command Prompt (admin) and use the winget install --id XP8K4RGX25G3GM command. You can also install the app from the Microsoft Store.

3. Confirm the drive temperature. 

   

Once you complete the steps, the app will display the drive’s temperature and health status. If you have multiple drives, you can switch between them using the tabs below the file menu.

In addition to temperature, CrystalDiskInfo can surface valuable information about the drive, including firmware version, serial number, features, and more.

While the Settings app feature is only available on Windows 11 devices, the “CrystalDiskInfo” app is available on Windows 11 and Windows 10 and can provide temperature readings for other media types.

If you want to check the temperature of other hardware components on your computer, you can use these instructions to find the temperature of the device’s processor or graphics card.

FAQs about checking the SSD temperature on Windows 11

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about determining the temperature of a hard drive.

Can I check the hard drive temperature in Windows 11 without installing apps?

Yes. Windows 11 includes built-in options through Settings and PowerShell, but they only work with NVMe SSDs. Traditional SATA SSDs and HDDs require third-party tools.

What is a safe temperature for SSDs and hard drives?

As a general rule, drives should stay 70 degrees Celcius below. Most SSDs and HDDs operate normally between 30 and 45 degrees. Sustained temperatures above 70 degrees can reduce performance and lifespan.

Does high drive temperature affect performance on Windows 11?

Yes. High temperatures can trigger thermal throttling, reduce read and write speeds, increase error rates, and accelerate wear, especially on SSDs.

Is PowerShell more accurate than the Settings app for checking SSD temperature?

No. Both use the same underlying data on storage reliability. PowerShell is mainly useful if you want to list temperatures for multiple NVMe drives at once or automate checks.

Can CrystalDiskInfo read temperatures for all drive types?

Yes. CrystalDiskInfo can display temperature data for NVMe SSDs, SATA SSDs, and traditional HDDs, making it the most versatile option on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Why does my drive temperature fluctuate during the day?

Temperature changes are normal and depend on workload, ambient room temperature, airflow, and whether the drive is under sustained read and write activity, such as gaming, video editing, or backups.

Should I worry if my SSD briefly goes above 70 degrees Celcius?

Short spikes are usually not critical, but sustained temperatures above 70 degrees Celcius indicate cooling issues. Improving airflow, cleaning dust, or adding heatsinks is recommended.

Can Windows 11 notify me if my drive is overheating?

Partially. The “Drive health” section can report abnormalities for supported NVMe SSDs, but it does not actively alert you to every temperature spike. Third-party tools offer better monitoring and alerts.

Update January 21, 2026: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.