How to Fix an Overheating Laptop: Tips and Solutions

If your laptop isn’t happy, you’ll know by the heat (and even sound) of it while it is performing. An overheating laptop is but a common problem that is faced across different brands and operating systems, and this is why it’s important to know how to go about avoiding and solving this problem.

There are best laptop cooling pad reviews available online that can help you choose to address this concern in the long run, but we are also going to do a quick overview of how this issue can be resolved below.

Heat Isn’t the Problem; Cooling Down Is

Any machine that is in use, no matter how big or small, will emit heat. This simply goes to show that it is working and performing. Even your mobile phones heat up from time to time when too many tabs are left open and running.

The real problem happens when the cooling system of the machine has already slowed down or is failing to work. There are computers that already ensure that overheating can be avoided by having their own built-in shutdown system once the laptop reaches a specific temperature.

But just in case your laptop still gives you moist fingers and palms from the heat, here are a few items you can check or do as a quick guide to ensuring that cooling down is achieved:

1. The Flat, Hard, and Clean Surface

It’s funny how laptops aren’t made for you to work them on your lap or on a pillow. You might want to be sure that your laptop is placed on a hard, flat, and clean surface. This way, you’ll give it room to breathe and have proper ventilation without exposing it to more dust.

You can make use of laptop stands or even make your own. You can also try avoiding any additional accessories or stickers that may block the vents of your laptop so that it can cool down faster.

2. Dusting Off the Bunnies

Dust bunnies have a way of causing you bigger issues in the long run. This means that if your laptop has been having trouble cooling down, you might want to get your brushes, cotton swabs, blower, or vacuum.

Yes, there are sensitive parts inside your trusty machine, which is why you need to be careful when you’re cleaning it. The target area for clean up is usually at the bottom or where you can see your vents and then follow this video to ensure that everything is spick and span and functional.

3. Make the Necessary EAR Adjustments

This has nothing to do with sound (though listening to your machine’s whirring can also help determine if it’s been working too hard just to cool down). EAR stands for:

● Environment

Is your laptop under direct sunlight or heat? Avoid placing it in those areas and ensure that your workspace is a cool room or at least one with enough ventilation for you and your laptop to breathe easily.

● Applications

Similar to closing down apps that are taking too much of your phone’s space and power, you can also check if your laptop is running too many applications. You can close down those that you’re not using or rethink the necessity of ones that use too much power.

There are lots of applications that take intensive work on your central processing unit and can cause it to heat up too much. Try to also check on software or apps that work well with your operating system for checking which applications take up much space and which ones are causing it to heat up.

● Rest

Power naps might help you be more productive as a person; however, your laptop might not be able to handle constantly hibernating or sleeping every so often. It is better to leave it on than to sleep it if you’re sure to be using it again in a while.

4. A Cool Investment

Your graphics card and hard drive are located in much harder to reach and harder to clean areas. To ensure that these parts get proper ventilation, a nearby fan might just not suffice.

In order to ensure that these essential parts can cool down, you can invest in cooling pads and additional fans. A cooler laptop is a healthy one, pun intended. Upgrade your laptop by doing your research and finding the cooling setup that works well with the laptop you’re working with.

5. Take It to the Pros

If you’re unsure if the sound of your built-in fan is normally louder than most, or if you’re quite hesitant to do the checking up and cleaning on your own, you can always bring your laptop to a trusty service center and let professionals do the work for you.

An overheating laptop has many possible reasons behind it, but the solution remains the same: something has to be done to ensure that cooling down is achievable, either by checking it yourself or by handing it over to professionals.