Laptops are more powerful and compact than ever before. CPU performance has skyrocketed as well, thanks to ever-more-transistor-dense chips.
At the same time, more processors are packed into thinner cases, and larger screens with higher resolutions are supported by more powerful graphics cards. Such evolution comes at the cost of excessive heat generation.
The biggest threat to laptops, other than spilled coffee, is overheating. Heat can cause hardware to fail or be permanently damaged.
In this article, we'll show you how to keep your laptop from overheating, improving its performance and extending its lifespan.
Basic knowledge of overheating
How to recognize overheating?
Just because your laptop is hot doesn't mean it's overheating.
When your computer's fan is running at maximum speed all the time, it's a sign that it's overheating. Also, an overheating CPU will slow down its clock speed to relieve the heat pressure, so you may feel your computer's performance has slowed down.
Furthermore, fail-safe software may shut down your computer abruptly to prevent damage to your hardware.
If you want to gauge how hot the inside of your laptop really is, use a tool like HWMonitor.
This tool will also tell you which parts of your laptop are generating too much heat. CPUs and GPUs are usually the most likely to overheat.
What causes overheating?
In a nutshell, it's "insufficient cooling".
Possible reasons include dust clogging the laptop's intake grille or exhaust vents, a clogged fan, or degraded CPU grease between the heatsink and the CPU or GPU. All of these problems can be fixed on your own, but some can be a daunting task.
If you need a quick fix or don't have the skills to remove the CPU and reapply CPU grease, read on.
How can I prevent and repair overheating?
Sometimes just taking care of your hardware can keep it from overheating.
1. Clean the internal cooling device
The first and most important thing to do when your laptop overheats is to clean the fans that cool the CPU and graphics cards. is.
Over time, a layer of dust and dirt builds up that slows down fans and blocks ventilation. Your laptop's manual or manufacturer's website will likely tell you how to open the laptop and clean the fans.
But before cleaning, do the following.
- Turn off your computer
- Remove the battery
- Unplug the power strip
- Keep yourself safe < /ol>
Carefully clean the fan with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Make sure the alcohol has completely evaporated before turning the laptop back on.
You can also use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and dirt from the fan. To avoid damaging the fan, do not turn it in the opposite direction. If you use a compressed air duster, hold the fan with your hand to keep it from rotating.
Next, you can also use a vacuum cleaner to suck the air out and clean the vents. The exhaust vent is usually located on the side of the computer. An opening through which hot air is blown out.
The air intake grille is a small opening that draws air into your laptop as the fan spins. It's on the side or bottom of your laptop. Use compressed air to clean the intake grille.
Finally, reapply CPU grease between the heatsink and CPU. Again, read the instructions on how to disassemble properly in your laptop's manual or on the manufacturer's website.
If you have a MacBook or iMac, check out our Dust Cleaning Guide. Inside My Laptop also has great tutorials on how to fix your laptop, including how to apply CPU grease to your laptop's processor.
2. Place it on a hard, flat surface
Most laptops take in air from the bottom. Placing your laptop on an uneven surface, such as a blanket or pillow, will block your laptop's ventilation.
Then, the laptop will not be able to cool properly and heat will be generated, the surface of the laptop will become hot, the temperature of the air that is drawn in will rise, and eventually the laptop will overheat.
Scenarios like this are easily avoided by placing your laptop on a hard, flat surface. Just use a tray, laptop stand or holder. I've recommended laptop trays before.
By the way, I use a bamboo laptop desk like the one below on my sofa.
Bamboo Laptop Desk With Push Fan,Adjustable Bed Table Portable Bed Tray Foldable Laptop Laptop Table Computer Desk-e 55x34x27cm(22x13x11)3. Buy a dedicated cooling stand or cooling pad
Laptop cooling stands are designed to cool you down even further. But buying the wrong thing can also make things worse.
Before you buy, you should understand your laptop's air intake and exhaust.
As I said earlier, most laptops take in air from the bottom. This makes sense because warm air rises.
However, if you put a cooling stand or cooling pad under your laptop and draw air through it, your laptop won't cool down, rather it will overheat faster.
If your laptop has an air intake grill on the bottom, buy a cooling stand that pushes cool air upwards, into the laptop. There are also passive cooling devices that do not use power and just absorb heat.
If you're handy, you can even create your own laptop cooler or cooling pad. We also show you how to make one for under $50.
What are the software fixes?
If fixing your hardware doesn't make a lasting improvement, you might want to consider your laptop's software for performance and power usage as well.
However, software that deals with overheating gives up performance in favor of protecting hardware. You can also try lowering your screen brightness or CPU clock speed.
In Windows, things like lowering clock speeds and voltages are not only handled by the BIOS, but can also be managed by software tools. For more information on how to do this, read this guide.
If you have a MacBook, please try this method as well.
Summary: How to Protect Your Laptop from Overheating
Even if you don't have clear evidence that your device is overheating, periodically check the exhaust vents and Cleaning the fan is a good thing. If you want to be extra cautious, always keep your laptop on a hard, flat surface.
If you're surfing the web on your laptop while sitting on the couch, make sure you're not just getting good ventilation, but also make sure the exhaust vents and fans aren't getting in the way of debris.
If you think your laptop needs a new cooler, check out our list of recommendations. Now that you know how to keep your laptop cool and not overheat, it's time to think about other devices.
If your Android device is overheating, check out how to fix it here.
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Image: MakeUseOf, alphaspirit/Shutterstock.com
Source: CPUID, wikiHOW, InsideMyLaptop(1, 2), Amazon,
Original Article: How to Fix an Overheating Laptop: 3 Key Tips and Solutions by MakeUseOf
