Fan Speed Control on Dell XPS 15 running Linux

Add dell-smm-hwmon sensors to kernel modules

sudo su
echo "options dell-smm-hwmon restricted=0 force=1" > /etc/modprobe.d/dell-smm-hwmon.conf
echo "dell-smm-hwmon" > /etc/modules
exit
sudo update-initramfs -u

Reboot, and the fans should be visible with:

sensors
dell_smm-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
fan1: 0 RPM
fan2: 0 RPM

Control System i8kutils

Install i8kutils to take control of the fans.

sudo apt install i8kutils
sudo su
echo "i8k" > /etc/modules
echo "options i8k force=1" > /etc/modprobe.d/i8k.conf
exit

Reboot

sudo modprobe i8k force=1


Configure i8kutils

sudo vi /etc/i8kmon.conf

I left the config file at the defaults and the fans stayed under control as did the temps. check the temps and fan speeds at any time with the sensors command

sensors
45 – 50 degrees C and 2500 RPM fan speeds whilst running Brave and Virtual Box
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