How To Fix and Reduce a Laptop from Overheating

How to fix and reduce a laptop from overheating is one of the most asked questions from laptop users.

16:17 16 May 2021

Your laptop or other computers may encounter issues such as overheating. It is indeed a widely known issue today, given how often we now use our laptops. 

 

Technology has had a significant effect on how we live our lives and on how we interact with everyone around us. The impact of technology is taking a huge relevance to the world. Most especially now that working-from-home has become the trend. And simple issues like overheating could have a big effect on its users. For computer repair in Kuala Lumpur, you can contact MyComputerRepair.com.my to get your personal computers (PCs), laptops, phones, iPads and devices repaired satisfactorily and efficiently.

 

Since going out is not so much advised nowadays, fixing your overheating laptop on your own is the answer to your issue. But before we go to that process, let us discover the reasons why laptops overheat. 

 

Reasons Why Your Laptop is Overheating

 

Determining the reasons behind your overheating laptop is the best way to address this problem. We must recognize the reasons why laptops overheat first. So, here are some reasons you need to identify to confirm that your laptop is overheating. 

 

Clogged Vents

 

To determine if your laptop is overheating, place your palms close to the ventilation. Feel for warm air, and if it is warm to hot, it’s probably overheating. It's most likely operating normally if it's cool or neutral. However, if there is very little or no air coming from the vents, there could be dust clogging in your laptop’s exhaust vents. This can further heighten the heat on the surface of your laptop since air cannot flow freely.

 

The Temperature of the Room You are In

 

The temperature in your room can also contribute to why your laptop is overheating. Your laptop can absorb the heat that surrounds it. So, even if air flows perfectly in your laptop’s vents, it could still overheat. 

 

Incorrect Laptop Positioning

 

Another reason for overheating is when your laptop is positioned in a way that air vents are blocked. The best place to put your laptop is on top of hard surfaces where there is clear ventilation. 

 

Using Lithium Batteries for Your Laptop

 

Old computers and laptops use a lithium battery. This kind of battery produces more heat in time as it ages. And incorrect and overuse of lithium batteries can cause your laptop to overheat. Another way that causes overheating is when your laptop is plugged even when it is full. 

 

Aside from the reasons mentioned, other causes are incompatible RAM and over usage of laptops. 

 

How to Fix and Lessen a Laptop From Overheating

 

When laptops overheat quite too often, they can cause damage to their internal parts. That is why it is really important to know how to fix it. Here are ways how to fix and reduce a laptop from overheating: 

 

Fix Internal Cooling

 

The fans in your laptops provide cooling to the CPU and graphic cards. So, when your laptop overheats, the first and most important thing you should do is clean the fans. Layers of dust and dirt can accumulate over time. The bags of dust can block the airflow and slow down the fans.

 

To open your laptop, read the manual or consult your computer technician. But if you are not confident about doing this task, it is better to not attempt to fix your fans. It would be best if you consult professional computer repair centers.

 

Keep your Laptop Away from Direct Sunlight 

 

Laptops are mostly made of metal and plastic. Both of these can absorb heat easily which leads to overheating of your laptop. To reduce overheating, place your laptop away from the source of heat such as direct sunlight. Always maintain a safe temperature around your laptop. Keep the temperature to at least fifty (50) to ninety (90) degrees Fahrenheit or 10-35 degrees Celsius.

 

Purchase a Laptop Desk and Cooling Pads

 

If your laptop's air vents are on the bottom, uneven surfaces such as a blanket, pillow, or your lap will obstruct airflow. Use cooling pads to provide extra cooling on your laptop’s surfaces. Make sure to choose the correct one to not worsen the overheating problems of your laptop.

 

Invest in a cooler that blows cool air upwards if your laptop has air vents on the bottom. Buying a laptop desk will keep the best possible position of your laptop. Whereas, cooling pads, can provide cool air to your laptop. 

 

Change the Settings on Your Laptop

 

To maintain your laptop at its optimum temperature, you can change its settings. Adjust the brightness of your laptop’s screen or modify its power management settings. Aside from that, make sure that there are fewer attachments plugged into your laptop. Having too many attachments that you aren’t using can cause overheating of your laptop. 

 

Use Recommended Accessories

 

Due to frequent changes in the trend, laptop owners tend to upgrade their laptops. They install upgraded RAM, hard disks, and sound cards. These upgrades can increase the efficiency of their laptop’s performance. However, it can consume more power on your laptop, thus causing overheating.

 

Manage Charger

 

Like any other electronic device, your laptop is not built to last a lifetime. There is a specific lifespan for most laptops. But to prolong its lifespan, doing routine maintenance will be helpful. Aside from that, you should also not forget about proper care of your laptop’s battery. Avoid overcharging your laptop or charging it while you are using it. Doing so will contribute to overheating of your laptop. 

 

Tips to Keep Your Laptop from Overheating

 

Preventing issues from happening is still the best intervention of all. So, to keep your laptop from overheating, here are some tips that you can consider:

• Do not use your laptop in bed or on a carpet.
  
  
• Do not use pillows as padding for your laptops
  
  
• Turn off your computer before putting it inside your bag. It tends to overheat, even when it is in Sleep Mode. 
  
  
• Allow enough space between your laptop and other electronic components like printers. Both generate heat, thus makes one of them vulnerable to overheating. 

 

Knowing how to fix and reduce a laptop from overheating is important. Keeping those tips can enable you to use your laptop to its full potential while working, studying, or watching your favorite movies. If after these tips you still encounter overheating or if you are not confident enough to do any of the interventions, contact MyComputer Repair.

 

We offer repair of faulty computers, Mac, phones, and iPads. Visit us at MyComputerRepair.com.my.