Help! My Laptop Keeps Overheating – What Should I Do?

Laptops are more prone to overheating compared to PCs. The compact design of laptop chassis leaves less space for cooling, making them susceptible to heat build-up. Luckily, technology has made some advancements to address this issue.

It’s normal for laptops to feel warm while gaming, but it’s important to know when it’s too hot. In this article, I will explain some of the reasons why your laptop keeps overheating. Keep reading to find out more.

Understanding Overheating

Laptops will always feel warm to the touch because their compact bodies don’t allow for perfect air circulation. Ideally, your computer should run at surface temperatures between 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 35 degrees Celsius) for optimal performance. Unless you have a rugged laptop specifically designed for extreme environments, it’s best to follow this advice.

In addition to a laptop feeling hot to the touch, there are other signs that indicate overheating:

Here are Our Recommendations for the Best Rugged Laptops:

• Tasks taking longer than usual to complete
• Apps and programs freezing
• Your mouse and keyboard not responding
• Your laptop shutting down and refusing to turn on for a few minutes
• Overheating error messages appearing
• Loud cooling fan noises
• The dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSoD)
• Strange lines appearing on the screen that aren’t part of any program

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it’s likely that your laptop is overheating and needs a break.

Checking if Your Laptop is Overheating

Spotting physical signs of overheating is easy, and software issues are hard to miss. However, as humans, we can’t determine the exact temperature just by touch. That’s why it’s helpful to use a free program to check and keep track of the CPU and system temperature of your laptop.

Here are some great options available:

The Best Programs to Check Laptop Temperature

• Core Temp
• SpeedFan
• Real Temp
• CPU Thermometer
• System Monitor for macOS
• lm_sensors package for Linux

The first four programs are for Windows and can even detect the temperature and load of individual cores. They may also allow you to check cooling fans, RAM usage, and more. This information comes in handy to ensure your computer is working properly.

What to Do When Your Laptop Overheats

If you notice unusually high temperatures, don’t panic. Simply shut down your laptop and let it rest. Taking quick action can prevent any damage to your computer.

Here are some simple steps to follow before using your laptop again:

1. Touch your laptop to check if it’s overheating.
2. If it is, try to power it down.
3. Once it shuts down, unplug the charger.
4. Place the computer on a flat, hard surface.
5. Wait until it cools down.
6. Take a break for about 10 minutes or longer.
7. By then, your device should be cool enough to use again.

We don’t recommend placing the laptop on a soft surface as it can block the vents. Blocked vents are ineffective at cooling, and you’ll have to wait much longer for the temperature to drop to a safe level.

Preventing Laptops from Overheating

There are various solutions available to prevent overheating. Some are easily accessible, while others may require additional purchases. Regardless, all these methods are crucial for your safety and the longevity of your laptop.

Keep Your Vents Clear

In addition to using your laptop on a hard surface, pay attention to other factors. Laptop cooling vents can accumulate dust and debris over time, leading to restricted airflow and reduced cooling efficiency. Regularly clean these vents to ensure optimal performance.

To begin, wipe the area around the vents with a clean cloth. Next, you can use a handheld vacuum cleaner or the dusting attachment of a larger vacuum to remove the dust. Alternatively, you can purchase compressed air in a can with a small nozzle to blow away the dust.

Find a Cooler Spot

When it’s hot out, my laptop tends to get overheated. To prevent this, I try to work in a cooler environment. If you can, turn on some fans or the air conditioner. This will not only cool down the room but also help your laptop’s internal cooling system.

Consider a Cooling Pad

If you have a laptop that uses passive cooling, it’s a good idea to invest in a cooling pad. These handy USB accessories are designed to keep your laptop’s temperature low. Unlike laptops with built-in cooling fans, notebooks with passive cooling rely on external help to expel heat. Cooling pads are compact and easy to carry around.

When you have a cooling fan to help lower the temperature, you can feel more confident pushing your laptop to its limits.

It’s common knowledge that gaming laptops generate a significant amount of heat. So, try using additional cooling solutions to increase the lifespan of your device and potentially improve your gaming experience.

The Negative Effects of Overheating Laptops

It’s not just your laptop that can suffer damage from overheating. There are other risks as well.

Fire Danger

An overheating laptop can explode, melt the casing or battery, or even catch fire. This fire can spread and cause irreversible harm. Take the necessary precautions to avoid this risk and the potential for serious injuries, property damage, or even loss of life.

Damaged Laptop Components

Overheating can permanently damage the following parts of your laptop:

Impact on Male Fertility

Laptops can get very hot, and if you enjoy using one on your lap, it’s best to avoid doing so. The high temperature from laptops can lead to scrotal hyperthermia.

To prevent this, place your laptop on a desk or use a laptop pad to reduce the amount of heat reaching your groin area. It only takes less than 15 minutes for laptops to reach temperatures that can negatively affect your fertility.

Laptop pads can help, but using a desk is still a better option.

Stay Cool

There are numerous ways to cool down your laptop, and these methods can also extend the lifespan of your device. Just like in emergencies, there’s no need to panic when your computer becomes excessively hot. Instead, allow it to cool down for an extended period after shutting it down.

In the end, managing the temperature of your laptop can make a significant difference, and it may even save your life. Therefore, I always recommend that everyone follows these solutions and preventive measures.