If you’ve encountered the error message “no or unknown cpufreq driver is active on this CPU,” you’re not alone. This issue can affect system performance, leading to inefficient power management and suboptimal CPU frequency scaling.
The error “No Or Unknown Cpufreq Driver Is Active On This CPU” means your system can’t detect a proper CPU frequency driver. This can be fixed by updating the kernel, installing the correct drivers, or enabling CPU scaling in BIOS settings.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what causes this problem, how it impacts your system, and the steps you can take to fix it.
Understanding CPU Frequency Scaling!
CPU frequency scaling is a feature that lets your processor change its speed depending on how much work it needs to do. When your computer is running light tasks or sitting idle, the processor slows down to save power and reduce heat. But when you start running demanding applications, the processor speeds up to give better performance.
This automatic adjustment helps balance power usage and efficiency, making sure your system runs smoothly without wasting energy. Many modern computers and operating systems use this feature to improve battery life on laptops and keep desktops from using too much electricity when high speed is not needed.
However, sometimes the processor does not detect the right frequency driver, which can cause problems. If the system does not recognize a proper driver, the CPU cannot adjust its speed correctly. This might lead to an error message that says, “no or unknown cpufreq driver is active on this CPU.”
Common Causes of “No or Unknown Cpufreq Driver Is Active on This CPU”!
1. Missing or Incorrect CPU Drivers:
One of the most common reasons behind this issue is the absence of the correct CPU frequency driver. If your system lacks the appropriate drivers, CPU scaling won’t function properly.
2. Unsupported Kernel Version:
Certain CPU drivers require specific kernel versions to function. If your Linux distribution or Windows installation does not support the needed driver, you may encounter the “no or unknown cpufreq driver is active on this CPU” error.
3. BIOS/UEFI Misconfiguration:
Some power management settings in the BIOS/UEFI firmware can prevent the CPU frequency driver from activating correctly. Incorrect configurations may cause your CPU to run at a fixed frequency.
4. Power Management Settings Issues:
If your system’s power management settings are not configured correctly, it can lead to problems where the “no or unknown cpufreq driver is active on this CPU” error appears.
5. Incompatible Hardware or OS:
Certain processors may require custom drivers or patches that are not included in your operating system by default.
How to Check If Cpufreq Driver Is Installed?
If you see the error “No Or Unknown Cpufreq Driver Is Active On This CPU”, the first step is to check if the Cpufreq driver is installed. You can do this by running the command cpufreq-info in the terminal. If it returns an error or does not show frequency scaling details, it means the driver is missing or not active.
Another way to check is by running ls /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/. If the directory is empty, your system is not detecting the driver. In this case, you may need to update your kernel, install the necessary packages, or enable CPU frequency scaling in BIOS settings.
Common Causes and Solutions for “No Or Unknown Cpufreq Driver Is Active On This CPU”!
Below is a table listing the common causes of the “No Or Unknown Cpufreq Driver Is Active On This CPU” error and their respective solutions:
| Cause | Solution |
| Missing CPU frequency driver | Install cpufrequtils and linux-tools-common |
| Outdated Linux kernel | Update the kernel using sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade |
| CPU scaling disabled in BIOS | Enable power-saving features in BIOS settings |
| Unsupported CPU model | Check CPU compatibility with your Linux distribution |
| Incorrect power management settings | Adjust CPU governor settings with cpufreq-set |
| Missing system dependencies | Install necessary libraries and dependencies for CPU frequency scaling |
By following these solutions, you can resolve the “No Or Unknown Cpufreq Driver Is Active On This CPU” error and ensure your system properly manages CPU frequency.
How to Fix “No or Unknown Cpufreq Driver Is Active on This CPU”?
1. Check Available CPU Frequency Drivers:
To check which CPU frequency drivers are available, run the following command on Linux:
cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_driver
If the output is empty or shows “unknown,” it indicates that no driver is loaded.
2. Load the Correct CPU Frequency Driver:
If your CPU driver is missing, try loading the correct module. Common drivers include acpi-cpufreq and intel_pstate. Use:
sudo modprobe acpi-cpufreq
sudo modprobe intel_pstate
After loading the module, verify it again:
cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_driver
3. Update Your Kernel:
Since older kernels may not support newer CPUs, updating your Linux kernel might resolve the issue:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install linux-generic
4. Configure BIOS/UEFI Settings:
Restart your system and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. Look for options such as:
- Intel SpeedStep (EIST) or AMD Cool’n’Quiet – Enable them.
- CPU Performance Mode – Set to balanced or performance mode.
- C-States – Ensure they are enabled.
5. Modify GRUB Settings:
Incorrect boot parameters may cause the CPU driver issue. Modify GRUB as follows:
sudo nano /etc/default/grub
Locate the line:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=”quiet splash”
Modify it to:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=”quiet splash intel_pstate=enable”
Then update GRUB:
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot
6. Check Power Management Settings:
On Linux, use the cpufrequtils package to set the correct governor:
sudo apt install cpufrequtils
sudo cpufreq-set -g performance
7. Verify Compatibility with Your OS:
Ensure that your OS version supports CPU frequency scaling for your processor. Some distributions might require additional patches or kernel modifications.
8. Reinstall CPU Microcode Updates:
Updating CPU microcode can sometimes resolve frequency driver issues:
sudo apt install intel-microcode
sudo apt install amd64-microcode
sudo reboot
How to Fix “No Or Unknown Cpufreq Driver Is Active On This CPU” Error?
To fix the “No Or Unknown Cpufreq Driver Is Active On This CPU” error, start by updating your Linux kernel since older versions may not support your CPU’s frequency scaling. Use sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade for Debian-based systems or sudo dnf update for Fedora-based ones.
Next, install the appropriate CPU scaling drivers with sudo apt install linux-tools-common and ensure cpufrequtils is installed. If the issue persists, check the BIOS settings and enable CPU power-saving features. Restart your system, and the Cpufreq driver should now be active.
Preventing “No or Unknown Cpufreq Driver Is Active on This CPU” in the Future
- Keep your system updated.
- Use compatible kernel versions.
- Regularly check BIOS/UEFI settings.
- Ensure power management settings are correctly configured.
FAQs:
1. What does “no or unknown cpufreq driver is active on this CPU” mean?
This message means your CPU frequency driver is not recognized, leading to potential performance and power management issues.
2. How do I check if my CPU frequency driver is active?
On Linux, run:
cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_driver
If it returns “unknown,” the driver is not active.
3. How can I fix this error on Windows?
Ensure you have installed the latest chipset and CPU drivers from your manufacturer’s website. Also, check your power management settings in the Control Panel.
4. Does updating the Linux kernel help?
Yes, updating the kernel can resolve compatibility issues with newer CPUs and ensure the correct CPU frequency driver is loaded.
5. How do I enable Intel P-state or ACPI CPU frequency scaling?
You can enable it using:
sudo modprobe intel_pstate
sudo modprobe acpi-cpufreq
Conclusion:
The “no or unknown cpufreq driver is active on this CPU” error can affect performance and power efficiency, but by following the above troubleshooting steps, you can resolve the issue efficiently. Keeping your system updated, configuring BIOS settings correctly, and ensuring the right CPU drivers are installed will help prevent this error in the future.
