Overheating

Is your laptop hot to the touch? Fans loud? Cool it down.

Difficulty

Moderate

Time Est.

15 Minutes

Tools Needed

  • Compressed Air
  • Screwdriver

Step 1: Check Airflow

Laptops breathe through the bottom or sides. If you use your laptop on a pillow or blanket, you are suffocating it. Always use a hard, flat surface like a desk or tray.

Step 2: Clean the Vents

Buy a can of compressed air ($5). Turn off the laptop, locate the vents (where the heat comes out), and blow short bursts of air INTO them to dislodge dust bunnies.

Step 3: Listen to the Fan

When the computer is hot, is the fan spinning loudly? If it is hot but SILENT, your fan might be broken, which is dangerous for the processor.

Step 4: Close Heavy Apps

Video editing, gaming, and having 50 Chrome tabs open generates massive heat. Close unused apps to let the CPU idle and cool down.

Thermal Throttling

Why does my computer get slow when it’s hot? Modern computers have a safety feature called Thermal Throttling. When the temperature hits ~95°C (200°F), the computer intentionally slows down (throttles) to generate less heat and prevent physical damage.

  • Solution: You don’t need a faster computer; you just need a cooler one.

Laptop Cooling Pads

Do they work? Yes. A cooling pad with built-in fans pushes fresh air into the intake vents of your laptop. It can lower temperatures by 5-10 degrees, which improves performance and lifespan.

Pro Tip: If you are comfortable with a screwdriver, opening the back panel and cleaning the fan directly is 10x more effective than blowing air from the outside.