A micro control unit (“MCU”) controls operation of a cooling fan in a compute device. The MCU is responsive to determining that a fan speed of the cooling fan is above a predetermined speed threshold to periodically determine power consumption of the cooling fan. In response to a periodic determination of power consumption exceeding a predetermined power consumption limit, the MCU reduces the fan speed of the cooling fan by a predetermined increment and continues periodically determine power consumption of the cooling fan. Upon determining that the power consumption does not exceed the predetermined power consumption limit, the MCU discontinues any prior reduction of the fan speed.