Seeing “No or unknown CPUFreq driver is active on this CPU” on my laptop was frustrating because it made everything slow. Then i find the below solution:
The message “No or unknown CPUFreq driver is active on this CPU” means your computer can’t manage the CPU speed properly. This can slow down your system. To fix it, update your BIOS and drivers or adjust your settings.
“‘No or unknown CPUFreq driver is active’ means your CPU’s speed control isn’t working—this could slow down your computer’s performance.Solve it with us”
Table of Contents
What Is No Or Unknown Cpufreq Driver Is Active On This Cpu?
When you see the message “No or unknown CPUFreq driver is active on this CPU,” it means your computer can’t control the speed of its processor properly. CPUFreq is a feature that helps your computer manage the CPU’s speed, making it faster when needed and slower to save energy.
If the driver for this feature is missing or not working, your computer might not perform as well, use more power, or get hotter. To fix this, you might need to update your computer’s BIOS, install or update the right drivers, or change some settings to make sure everything works correctly.
Grasping CPUFreq and Its Significance:
CPUFreq, or CPU Frequency scaling, is a technology that allows the CPU to dynamically adjust its operating frequency and voltage based on the current workload. This capability is essential for managing power consumption and maintaining the ideal temperature of the CPU.
Efficiently balancing performance and energy savings is critical for prolonging the lifespan of the hardware and ensuring optimal system responsiveness.
Key Benefits of CPUFreq:
- Energy Efficiency: By adjusting the CPU’s frequency based on demand, CPUFreq helps in reducing power consumption, which is particularly beneficial for laptops and mobile devices.
- Temperature Management: Lowering the CPU frequency during periods of low activity helps in managing the temperature, preventing overheating and potential thermal throttling.
- Performance Optimization: CPUFreq ensures that the CPU can boost its performance when required, enhancing the user experience during resource-intensive tasks.
Common Error Messages: No Active or Unknown CPUFreq Driver Detected
When dealing with CPUFreq drivers, you might encounter messages such as “No active CPUFreq driver detected” or “Unknown CPUFreq driver detected.” Understanding these messages is the first step in resolving the issue.
No CPUFreq Driver is Currently Active:
This message indicates that the system isn’t utilizing any specific driver to control the CPU frequency. Without an active driver, the CPU cannot adjust its frequency dynamically, leading to suboptimal performance and power management.
Unknown CPUFreq Driver Found:
This message means that the system has identified a CPUFreq driver, but it doesn’t recognize or support the specific driver. As a result, the CPU’s frequency scaling capabilities are hindered.
Why ‘No or Unknown CPUFreq Driver Is Active’ Happens?
When you see the message “No or unknown CPUFreq driver is active on this CPU,” it means your system isn’t using the necessary driver to manage your CPU’s frequency. Here are the common causes in simple terms:
BIOS Settings:
- Processor X2Apic Support: If this setting is turned on in your BIOS, it can mess up how the BIOS and the Linux CPUFreq system communicate. This miscommunication prevents the driver from loading correctly.
- Power Regulator Setting: Your BIOS might be set in a way that doesn’t support the needed CPUFreq driver. The settings can dictate which driver gets loaded, and if set incorrectly, no driver or the wrong driver will be used.
Operating System Compatibility:
Sometimes, your operating system might not support the CPUFreq driver for your specific CPU. This is common in older systems or rare hardware configurations.
Driver Availability:
The necessary CPUFreq driver might not be installed on your system. Without the driver, the system can’t manage the CPU frequency.
Kernel Parameters:
Your system’s kernel (the core part of your OS) might not be configured to use the right CPUFreq driver. Incorrect kernel parameters can lead to this issue.
System Updates:
If your system is outdated, it might not recognize newer drivers or hardware. Keeping your system updated ensures it has the latest drivers and fixes.
Harmful impact on PC:
- Decreased Performance: The CPU can’t adjust its speed properly, which can lead to sluggish performance and reduced efficiency during tasks.
- Increased Power Consumption: Without proper speed management, the CPU may run at full power constantly, leading to higher energy usage and shorter battery life for laptops.
- Overheating: The CPU may overheat as it runs at maximum speed without cooling adjustments, potentially causing thermal throttling or hardware damage.
- Reduced System Responsiveness: The system might struggle with multitasking or running demanding applications smoothly due to the lack of dynamic speed adjustment.
- Shortened Hardware Lifespan: Constant high-speed operation can put extra strain on the CPU and other components, potentially reducing their overall lifespan.
How to Fix the Issue of No or Unknown CPUFreq Driver Being Active on This CPU?
Resolving this issue involves several steps, primarily focusing on BIOS configuration and ensuring the correct drivers are available.
Step 1: BIOS Configuration
Accessing the BIOS is crucial for adjusting settings that impact CPUFreq driver loading. To enter the BIOS:
- Restart your computer.
- Press the correct key to access the BIOS setup.
Step 2: Turn Off “Processor X2Apic Support”
In the BIOS, locate the “Processor X2Apic Support” option. If it’s enabled, disable it. This change helps in resolving the mismatch issues that prevent the CPUFreq driver from loading correctly.
Step 3: Enable Collaborative Power Control (CPC)
Ensure that “Collaborative Power Control” is enabled in the RBSU (ROM-Based Setup Utility). This setting is vital for effective CPU power management.
Step 4: Adjust Power Regulator Setting
The choice of CPUFreq drivers to load depends on the “Power Regulator Setting” option in iLO or RBSU. Set the “Power Regulator Setting” to one of the following:
- Dynamic Power Savings Mode: Loads the pcc-cpufreq driver.
- OS Control Mode: Loads the intel_pstate driver.
Step 5: Confirm Driver Loading
After adjusting the BIOS settings, use the cpupower frequency-info command to confirm that the correct driver has been loaded.
FAQs:
1. Why is my Dell showing ‘No or unknown CPUFreq driver’?
On Dell systems, seeing “No or unknown CPUFreq driver is active” might result in poor CPU performance and power management. This can lead to inefficiencies and overheating issues, affecting the overall stability of your Dell computer.
2. How does the absence of a CPUFreq driver affect my computer’s performance?
Without a CPUFreq driver, your system may not efficiently manage CPU power and performance, leading to potential issues like reduced battery life on laptops or increased power consumption and heat generation.
3. How often should I update my CPUFreq drivers?
It’s a good practice to update your CPUFreq drivers when you update your operating system or BIOS, or if you notice performance issues that could be related to CPU frequency scaling.
4. What should I do if the CPUFreq driver issue persists despite following troubleshooting steps?
If the issue continues, consider seeking help from the hardware manufacturer’s support, updating BIOS/UEFI firmware, or checking for known issues and patches in the operating system forums or support pages.
Conclusion:
The message “No or unknown CPUFreq driver is active on this CPU” means your computer is having trouble managing CPU speed, which can cause it to run slower. To fix this issue, consider updating your BIOS and drivers or adjusting your system settings.
