RetroPie Temperature Monitor from Menu

If you are interested in monitoring the RetroPie temperature you can add a custom option to your RetroPie menu. This will display the RetroPie temperature on the screen for a predefined number of seconds.

You will need to have a keyboard attached to your RetroPie system or have SSH access.

Step 1: Create RetroPie Temperature Script

You’ll need to get to the command line. If you are using a keyboard connected to the Pi then within RetroPie press F4 to enter the command line. If using SSH connect using your preferred client.

At the command prompt navigate to the RetroPie menu directory:

cd /home/pi/RetroPie/retropiemenu

Then create the script using:

nano Check_Temperature.sh

This will open the nano text editor.

Type or paste the following script:

!/bin/sh
vcgencmd measure_temp
sleep 5

Then press CTRL-X, Y and ENTER to confirm the changes and exit back to the command line.

Step 2: Make Executable

Now the script needs to be made executable using the command:

chmod +x Check_Temperature.sh

Step 3: Return to Emulation Station

If you are using a keyboard connected to the Pi return to Emulation Station by typing:

emulationstation

If you are using SSH then quit the session by typing:

exit

Step 4: Run RetroPie Temperature Script

Once EmulationStation has reloaded navigate to the RetroPie configuration menu.

You should see a new entry for “Check_Temperature”.

Select this new option and the current temperature will be displayed for five seconds and then return to Emulation Station.

Removing RetroPie Temperature Script (optional)

To remove the new entry from the RetroPie menu you just need to delete the script. To do this return to the command line (using F4 or SSH). Navigate to the RetroPie menu directory using:

cd /home/pi/RetroPie/retropiemenu

and then delete the script using:

rm Check_Temperature.sh

Finally return to Emulation Station as before by either typing:

emulationstation

or:

exit

Once EmulationStation has reloaded navigate to the RetroPie menu and the “Check_Temperature” option should be gone.