What To Do if Your Laptop is Overheating?

Edmund_McGowan

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re in the company of an overheating laptop. Perhaps you’re even reading this article on an overheating laptop, if so, welcome -you’re in the right place. First though, may we suggest that you switch to your smartphone or other device to stop your laptop overheating further. 

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, today we’ve got the final word on how to stop your laptop from overheating. Whether you’re wondering why your beloved laptop is running a fever, or you simply just want to get to the heart of the matter and cool it off, read on to discover the dangers and causes of overheating, as well as a range of fixes, from simple DIY hacks to thermal pasting! 

Danger in the device: bottle the throttle

Many dangers may lurk in an overheating laptop. Excessive heat, that is anything around 80-90°C (176-194°F) can begin to cause issues, but sustained temps above 90°C (194°F) can actually start to degrade internal components: the CPU, GPU and battery can all be irrevocably damaged, shortening their lifespan.

If your laptop hits a critical temp, it may well engage thermal throttling, reducing CPU performance to stop overheating, potentially leading to lags and crashes, or even automatically shutting down. Unchecked, overheating may even lead to battery swelling and fire hazard, along with corrupting data and reducing overall device efficiency. 

Why is my laptop overheating?

There are several common causes behind an overheating device:

• Dust buildup: Dust is a fact of life, and over time fans and vents get caked with the stuff, preventing proper airflow, leading to laptop overheating.
• Poor ventilation: Although it might be convenient to use your laptop on couches, beds and other soft surfaces, these can block vents and trap heat.
• Heavy use: If you’re pushing your laptop with demanding programs such as games, multiple apps, and video editing software, these may cause laptop CPU overheating.
• Dry or old thermal paste: You’ve likely never seen the paint job keeping your laptop cool: thermal paste transfers heat from the processor to the cooling system. As it dries out and ages, it loses effectiveness, reducing heat dissipation. 
• Faulty fans: If your cooling fans aren’t running right, or if they fail then they can't expel the hot air, leading to overheating.

How to fix an overheating laptop

Now that we’ve covered what may be causing the unwelcome laptop sizzle, let’s handle the bizzle and find some fixes. To start with, here’s a few simple fixes to try before getting the screwdrivers out:

• The good old turn it off and wait: If your laptop is overheating, simply pause usage, shut down your device and give it some time to cool down before continuing.
• Ensure proper heat dissipation: As we mentioned above, using your laptop on cloth surfaces like sofas and beds generates extra heat. For proper heat dissipation, only use your laptop on a hard, flat surface.
• Cooling pads: Lizards and other reptiles require heating pads to thrive, but your overheating laptop needs a cooling pad. There are several types of cooling pads available, from stands, to fans, and even heatsinks, so do your research and choose the right pad for your device. 

If you’ve tried these fixes, but no dice, then  perhaps it's time to attempt these two moderate level fixes:

• Clear your vents: Dust accumulates around vents blocking the airflow and causing overheating. Remove the dust and hey presto, no overheating. If you’re confident in your abilities, a can of compressed air can work wonders in ridding your device of dust. More advanced/adventurous users may go one step further and open up their laptop to clean the dust out with a soft brush or cloth. 
• Update your OS and BIOS: Hopefully you do this anyway, but regularly updating your OS (operating system) and BIOS (basic input/output system) are both essential steps to ensuring the security and stability of your laptop. Updating ensures efficiency improvements and driver updates, as well as thermal management adjustments and hardware compatibility. Combined, these optimize system performance and reduce strain on the hardware, reducing heat generation.

Finally in our fandango of fixes, there are two advanced solutions for which you’ll most likely want to seek out professional help:

• Replace the paste: Thermal paste loses efficacy over time, and like a house, or boat, sometimes a fresh coat of paint can imbue your device with a new lust for life. Even if you’re a dab hand with a paint brush, this is a task best handed over to professionals, so seek out a certified repair technician, or your laptop manufacturer’s authorized service center for help.
• Warranty: When purchasing a new laptop, a decent warranty may not be the first thing you look for. Don’t let snazzy AI augmentations, GPU and SSD specs sideline you: a wholesome warranty is crucial! Acer laptops come with one to two year limited warranties, with extended service plan options available for online purchases.

Final words: preventing overheating

After reading the above, you’re already a sultan of solutions when it comes to fixing an overheating laptop. But how about avoiding the dreaded overheat in the first place? Regularly cleaning your laptop and keeping the dust to a minimum you’ll be able to nip the issue in the bud before your vents are caked in dust. Another smart way to keep track of your laptop’s internal temps is by using apps such as HWiNFO, that way you’ll know the second the temp starts to rise. Finally, cooling pads are a reliable, low cost way to keep the temps within an acceptable range.

We hope you’ve enjoyed discovering how to fix an overheating laptop with us today. Try these fixes for yourself and see which of them works for your device. If in doubt, remember to consult a certified repair technician, or your laptop manufacturer’s authorized service center for help.

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