Where Is the thermald Config File?
thermald reads thermal-conf.xml in /etc/thermald with sensor zones overriding compiled defaults.
Last updated
thermald configures cooling from an XML file in /etc/thermald. The thermal-conf.xml file maps sensors to zones with trip points and actions. Without it the daemon runs on built in defaults per platform.
Hand tuning suits machines with broken firmware tables. Most laptops behave best on defaults plus a current kernel. Validate changes by watching temperatures under load before calling a profile good.
Where thermald stores this, by platform
/etc/thermald/thermal-conf.xml
Sensor to zone mappings with trip points. Absent file means compiled defaults. Restart thermald after edits and verify under load.
Frequently asked questions
How do I cool a specific sensor more aggressively?
Add a zone entry for the sensor with lower trip points in thermal-conf.xml. Restart the daemon to apply. Monitor with sensors output during stress.
Does thermald need config on laptops?
Usually not. Defaults track the platform thermal tables well. Custom files help quirky firmware or fanless boxes. Measure before and after any tweak.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.