Your motherboard has internal laptop fan speed control software imbedded into a ROM chip, also known as the BIOS.  It detects when your laptop is overheating and increases the RPM to properly cool down your notebook.  When your fan is malfunctioning or not operating at the correct RPM your motherboard is exposed to the dangers of overheating which can cause damage.  There are ways to increase your laptop fan speed, there are software programs that are readily available that can adjust the fan speed to an RPM of your choice.  Your motherboard is already programmed to operate at the correct fan velocity and it is not recommended to adjust the factory settings.  If you are noticing that your notebook is overheating you may need to simply clean the fan itself.  If you notice the fan not working as it should, you will want to consider a replacement.  In most cases, a simple cleaning can do the trick.  You can purchase a bottle of condensed air and blow in and around the fan itself.  If you haven’t cleaned it before, you will notice much dust and accumulated debris.  There are also diagnostic programs available from the manufacturer that can test to see if your laptop fan speed is operating correctly.  Most laptops already have this software installed; while others will need to be downloaded and installed.  Consult your owner’s manual or the manufacturer for more information regarding a diagnostic software program for your laptop.  If you have a high end gaming laptop, you will without a doubt want to keep your fans clean and running smoothly at all times.  High end video cards heat up very quickly and need to be cooled down in order to continue running smoothly.  If you begin to notice problems with your video card, quickly locate the fan, clean it, and run a diagnostic program to check for any inconsistencies before a major problem arises.  As you can see, laptop fan speed is a very important factor in keeping your laptop cool and problem free.  Performing a quarterly maintenance routine on your fan can keep it running smoothly for a very long time.