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If a Pironman 5 fan stays on after a Raspberry Pi OS kernel update, first identify which fan is affected. The CPU fan follows a temperature curve; the RGB fans are controlled through the case’s IO Expander. A 2024 SunFounder forum thread documented a GPIO/RGB control problem on kernel 6.6.47 and offered a device-path workaround, but that dated fix is not confirmed for current releases. Check the fan type and temperature before changing kernel or GPIO settings.
Identify which Pironman 5 fan is stuck on
The distinction matters because the CPU fan and RGB fans use different control paths. The CPU fan responds to Raspberry Pi temperature policy. The RGB fans are controlled through the Pironman 5 IO Expander and software.
- CPU PWM fan: Check whether the Pi is warm and whether the fan speed tracks temperature.
- GPIO/RGB fans: Check whether the dashboard can change their mode or turn them off. A fan that ignores the selected mode may point to the GPIO control path.
SunFounder’s Pironman 5 FAQ documents the CPU fan curve and manual pin controls. Its forum describes a separate kernel-related problem affecting GPIO/RGB fan control.
Check whether the CPU fan is following its temperature curve
SunFounder lists this default CPU fan curve: below 50°C, the fan is off; at 50°C it runs at 30%; at 60°C at 50%; at 67.5°C at 70%; and at 75°C at 100%. A fan that stops after startup as the temperature drops below 50°C can be behaving normally.
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Check the current temperature in a terminal:
vcgencmd measure_tempThe command reports the Pi’s temperature. Compare that reading with the curve rather than assuming a fan that has stopped is broken.
Test the CPU fan pin mode
SunFounder documents these pin states for the CPU fan:
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pinctrl FAN_PWM op dlenables the fan output (low active).pinctrl FAN_PWM op dhdisables the fan output (high active).pinctrl FAN_PWM a0returns it to automatic control.
Use automatic mode for normal temperature-based operation. If you adjust thresholds, SunFounder points to /boot/firmware/config.txt, with dtparam=cooling_fan=on and fan_temp parameters, followed by a reboot. Match any changes to your Raspberry Pi OS version and existing configuration; do not replace unrelated settings blindly.
For RGB fans stuck on: understand the kernel workaround
In an August–September 2024 support thread, a user reported GPIO fans staying on regardless of the chosen mode after a kernel change. SunFounder said it reproduced the issue on kernel 6.6.47, while 6.6.31 worked, and attributed the problem to the gpiozero library. The moderator wrote: “Regarding the issue of not being able to control the RGB fan after updating the kernel, we apologize for the inconvenience. This issue is caused by the gpiozero library.” That statement describes the thread’s issue, not every fan problem or current kernel release.
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The thread’s workaround was to create a device-path link and then test RGB fan control from the PC dashboard:
sudo ln -s gpiochip0 /dev/gpiochip4This is historical advice from a 2024 thread, not a verified fix for every current Raspberry Pi OS version. Check your installed kernel with uname -r and review the SunFounder forum discussion before applying it. Do not run the command automatically if the device path or kernel situation on your system differs.
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Be cautious about the historical kernel downgrade
The same thread mentioned this command as a way to move to a working kernel version at the time:
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sudo rpi-update 44a287fe97c04506841fe3b3e794c70a2e01c7deThe forum identified that commit with the 6.6.44-era kernel. It is a dated fallback, not an assured fix for present Raspberry Pi OS releases. A kernel change can affect the whole system, so do not use this command casually or treat it as a universal resolution; confirm that it is appropriate for your installation and that you can recover if it causes problems.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the fans still ignore controls, separate software from hardware
If the workaround is inapplicable or does not help, gather information before changing more settings. SunFounder’s troubleshooting material points to the IO Expander FAN jumper, fan power, and the Pironman service log as useful checks.
- Record the installed kernel with
uname -r. - Check the Pironman dashboard and service log for fan-control errors.
- Verify that the IO Expander FAN jumper is in its intended position, using SunFounder’s RGB cooling fans discussion and product guidance.
- Test fan operation through the documented GPIO or direct-power checks. SunFounder says that if a fan runs when connected directly to Raspberry Pi 5V and GND, the IO Expander may be at fault; contact SunFounder support for help distinguishing the hardware issue.
The diagnostic result narrows the problem: a fan that works with direct power but not through the case control path points toward the IO Expander or software control path, while a fan that does not run directly needs a separate fan or power-path check.
Quick Recap
Which fix should you try first?
| Symptom | First check | Evidence and caution |
|---|---|---|
| CPU fan runs, then stops as the Pi cools | Run vcgencmd measure_temp and compare the result with the documented fan curve. |
SunFounder FAQ documents the default curve; below 50°C, the CPU fan is off. |
| RGB fans stay on regardless of dashboard mode after a kernel update | Check uname -r, then assess whether the 2024 device-path workaround applies. |
The reported issue involved 6.6.47; applicability to current releases is not established. |
| RGB fan control remains broken after software checks | Inspect the FAN jumper, service log, and fan operation through GPIO or direct power. | SunFounder says successful direct-power operation may indicate an IO Expander fault. |
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