After repeating the steps one more time and resetting the app =

Add/Remove programs -> Alienware Command Center -> Advanced options -> Terminate -> Reset 

It magically works again?

After restarting my laptop the same issue appeared. Is there any other way to control the thermal mode or any tips on how to understand what is causing the problem? 

Hi @cp_nick  the basic problem is that AWCC is not a stable, self contained application. 

Windows 10 installs and removes software with MSI package formats. However, Windows Installer doesn’t always install the software as required and might occasionally return an error message stating, “1603 Fatal error during installation.”  Dell needs to put more work into making their install AWCC update application more reliable. 

Please remove all traces of the AWCC and OC Controls applications from your m51 R2 system. Revo Uninstaller Free is known to have fixed this problem on many occasions and hopefully should work on your system, and then Restart to save these changes. Then install the AWCC and OC Controls applications using these updates that you previously saved in your download folder. 

Didn't work. Uninstalled both command center and oc controls (using the advanced setting), restarted, installed latest versions, restarted.

I will try with an older version.

Here the same issue since the update of a few days ago. The thermal just didn't work again.
So, as per usual, I deleted all and deleted an older version but now it just refuses to work. Usually it was the solution.

Pretty annoying, without proper working fans I can't play my usual games

I also have an issue with the command center, OC stopped working after I've done the windows system updates yesterday (I really should not accept them anymore ;P)
In the past year it happened before with updates so as per usual, I followed the usual steps, removing, re-install (older version), but now, nothing! 

I kind of need my fans to work properly when gaming I've been trying things for 3 hours now, could've spent my time so much more useful. 

Hope someone can help! Thanks 

(image to show that also 1 button shows, balanced option, etc, but no clock buttons, etc). 

Hi @WingyWing  did you try Revo Uninstaller Free, to uninstall these applications, and then click on Advanced Scan to remove all traces of AWCC (& OC Controls) by deleting everything in the following two windows? Then Restart to save these changes, so that these update applications can be installed as if for the first time? 

I don't have the same model as you, but I did have the same problem with my Alienware Area-51m R1 =

--Spinning blue dots, and program doesn't load.

--Spinning dots on thermal and power on home screen of Alienware Command Center.

I'm sad to let you know that I gave up trying to fix it.  It started when I noticed AWCC.exe errors in the event log.  I uninstalled the Alienware Command Center Suite with all the other giblets.  It was the biggest mistake. 

I STRONGLY SUGGEST: DO NOT UNINSTALL YOUR ORIGINAL ALIENWARE COMMAND CENTER.

Due to the fact that AWCCService is running after you uninstall the app, some components do not get uninstalled as correctly figured out by @crimsom .  He suggests using Revo.  I agree, it would definitely help if you already uninstalled the app.

You can't completely uninstall it.  You can't therefore, cleanly install it afterward.  I gave up trying to fix it, and I decided to reimage my system with built in OEM recovery partition image.  I then updated windows, all drivers, installed Alienware Command Center and OC controls.  

Right now I get the same error in the event log that I got with AWCC three versions ago, but the application seems to run.

It is a good idea to let the computer sit idle for a while after start up/login, because the secondary processes that need to load, take a long time.  Alienware Command Center sometimes shows spinning dots on the home screen thermal and power setting squares, buttons or whatever you call them these days if you don't wait.  They will not stop spinning, and you will have to restart, if you want to change anything.

Good luck!

Update:  After writing this, which includes 30 min of waiting the OC and Thermal stopped loading and is working.  So I guess, if you wait long enough after reboot it's possible it will work again.  Test and Test again.

I've tried everything that has been recommended along with the Revo Uninstaller and using Administrator rights.  The problem always persists after reboot.  It works great then I reboot the computer and it's back to not loading the OC and thermal.  

I'm not sure if I understand, does downloading from the Alienware updater cause the problem?  I used the Dell website for the latest Command Center and OC controls.  Maybe if there is another specific program that needs to be uninstalled but I have no idea what.

Note to Crimsom:  I used the solution @Konadreamer described in detail using Revo Uninstaller, which required installing in administrator and creating a shortcut...anyway still same problem with rebooting causes the problem. 

I had the same problem on my m15 R5 (after reinstalling windows). I completly uninstalled AWCC (via the instructions from your link).

However i noticed when starting AWCC via MyAlienware App it suggested me to install "needed components", where i selected to UNINSTALL them, then again started AWCC from MyAlienware App and then INSTALLed them again.

After a reboot AWCC now works properly when started via MyAlienware (showing a notification about needed services being launched).

Maybe it helps!