Overheating in your laptop might be a major issue. Using a heated laptop might permanently harm the internal components in addition to being unpleasant.
This article will discuss the causes of laptop overheating and provide solutions, on how you can know and fix an overheating laptop.
The internal cooling system of laptops not functioning correctly is one of the primary causes of overheating. The internal components of laptops are kept cool by an integrated fan and heatsink.
However, the laptop won’t be able to dissipate heat effectively if the fan is malfunctioning or the heatsink is blocked with dust.
Inappropriate usage is another cause of laptop overheating. The airflow to the bottom of the laptop may be obstructed if you use it on a soft surface like a bed or sofa. Overheating may result from the internal parts heating up as a result of this.
How to know an Overheating Laptop?
When you hear your computer’s fan running continuously at full speed, your computer is overheating. You may also notice lower performance since current CPUs may cut down on clock speed to prevent heat stress.
In addition, the fail-safe software may cause an abrupt shutdown to guard against hardware damage.
A tool like HWMonitor may be used to measure the real heat values inside your laptop (shown above).
This might also show you where on your laptop the temperature is rising too high. The central processing unit (CPU) or graphics processing unit (GPU) are usually the ones that are overheating the most. Onboard graphics laptops could not show distinct GPU temps.
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How to Fix an overheating laptop
The following actions may be taken to remedy a laptop that is overheating:
1. Clean the vents and fan
Cleaning the vents and fan should be your first line of action if your laptop is overheating. Vents may get clogged with dust and debris over time and restrict ventilation. As a result, the laptop may get hot and its internal cooling system may become dysfunctional.
You will want a can of compressed air and a tiny brush to clean the vents and the fan. Your laptop should first be turned off and disconnected from the power supply. Then, using the brush, carefully clear the vents of any debris. Next, blast any residual dust from the vents and fan using the compressed air can.
To prevent harming the internal components, hold the compressed air can upright and keep it at least 10 inches away from the vents. Your laptop should be able to disperse heat more efficiently after cleaning the vents and fan.
2. Use a laptop cooler
A laptop cooler is a tool that aids in removing heat from laptops. It comprises a fan or fans that are intended to blow cold air over your laptop’s bottom in order to lower its temperature.
The airflow to the bottom of the laptop may be blocked if you use it on a soft surface, such as a bed or sofa, which may increase the temperature of the device. You may increase the airflow to the bottom of the laptop and keep it cool by utilizing a laptop cooler.
There are a variety of laptop coolers on the market, so you may choose the one that best suits your requirements and price range. You can use certain laptop coolers on the fly since they are designed to be portable. Others have more strength and can calm down.
3. Fix Internal Cooling
Cleaning the fans that cool the CPU and graphics card is the first and most crucial thing you should do when your laptop is overheating.
They accumulate layers of dirt and dust over time, which slows them down and obstructs airflow.
To find out how to open your laptop so you may access and clean these components, contact the manufacturer or the handbook that came with it.
To start cleaning, however, adhere to the following guidelines:
- Turn off the computer.
- Cut all the cords.
- Take the battery out (if possible)
- Ground yourself. [mfn]https://www.wikihow.com/Ground-Yourself-to-Avoid-Destroying-a-Computer-with-Electrostatic-Discharge[/mfn]
When you are prepared, carefully inspect your laptop both inside and exterior and clean the following areas:
Open your laptop and use a cotton swab soaked in a drop of isopropyl alcohol to gently wipe the fan(s).
Before you reconnect the laptop to the power, be sure all of the alcohol has evaporated.
A vacuum cleaner may also be used to get rid of the dirt and dust that accumulates on the fan (s).
Don’t allow a fan to rotate in the incorrect direction to protect it from harm. Holding down the button will stop the fan from whirling, allowing you to clean it with bottled air.
The exhaust port may then be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner. It may also be found on the rear of the laptop, however, it often rests on the side.
Exhaust ports, as opposed to intake grills, emit warm or hot air, making them simple to locate.
Fans that pull cooler air into the laptop are covered by external intake grills. They may be found at the bottom or on the sides of your notebook. Spray canned air into the intake grills to clear them.
Finally, reapply thermal grease to the heat sink’s interface where the CPU and GPU meet.
Again, for information on dismantling these parts, please refer to the manufacturer or manual for the laptop.
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How Can I Use Software to Fix My Laptop’s Heat?
You may also turn to software adjustments that deal with your laptop’s performance and battery consumption if none of the hardware changes provide long-lasting improvements.
However, if you handle high heat with a software patch, performance is sacrificed in order to protect the hardware.
Either you may lower the screen’s brightness or the CPU clock speed. Undervolting or underclocking is done in the BIOS in Windows but may also be managed via software programs.
Conclusion
Even if your gadget doesn’t show any obvious signs of overheating, it’s a good idea to frequently clean its vents and fans to avoid dust accumulation. Additionally, if you want to be extra cautious, always set your laptop down on a stable surface.
While browsing on the couch, using a laptop cushion can not only guarantee proper ventilation but also lessen the quantity of dust that gets inside and obstructs vents and fans. Check out our list of the top cooling systems if you think your PC needs a new one.