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9 reasons why your laptop overheats and how to fix it
It's not uncommon for laptops to get overheated after hours of use, especially while gaming or performing high-end tasks like video rendering, graphic editing, and more. However, if your laptop feels like a frying pan just after a few minutes of running, there might be some unusual cause for it.
An overheated laptop can lead to degraded performance, unexpected system shutdown, damage to the internal hardware components, and reduce the overall lifespan of the laptop. Let's explore 10 reasons why a laptop can get overheated and what can be done to fix it.
Some fixes listed below, like applying thermal paste and cleaning laptop fans, might require you to open and disassemble your laptop. If you don't have such experience, you should get help from a professional.
Blocked air vents
Clear the airflow path to prevent overheating
Laptops have air vents that allow air to circulate inside them, keeping internal components cool. A blocked air vent can lead to heat accumulating inside the laptop, thereby increasing the temperature and causing overheating. This usually happens when you keep your laptop on soft surfaces, like pillows, couches, or beds. The smooth surface causes airflow obstruction, leaving your laptop suffocating.
To fix and avoid this:
- Always keep your laptop on hard surfaces when working, especially when you're using resource-consuming applications.
- To lower CPU and GPU temperature, use a laptop cooling pad, especially if your laptop is too old.
- If you frequently use your laptop on your lap, consider investing in a lap desk with proper ventilation. This will not only prevent laptop overheating but also safeguard your body from the heat.
Running too many apps at once
Reduce the workload on your laptop
If you run multiple resource-intensive applications simultaneously, such as games, multiple tabs in the browser, video editors, or a VM, your laptop's CPU and GPU will be under a lot of pressure, causing excessive heat generation. This especially becomes worse when your laptop is not designed to handle such heavy tasks together.
Here's how you can fix it:
- End all the unnecessary resource-consuming processes from the Task Manager.
- If you're running a browser, keep the tabs to a minimum and close the ones you don't need.
- Switch to lightweight alternatives to your high-resource-consuming apps. For example, instead of using Chrome, use a better alternative like the Brave browser.
- If you need to perform heavy tasks and multitasking on your PC, consider upgrading hardware like increasing RAM, if you can, and a dedicated cooling system. Increased RAM will handle your resource-heavy applications effectively.
Malware or cryptojacking attacks
Protect your laptop from malicious software
If your laptop suddenly overheats even though you aren't using any resource-intensive applications, malware is probably hiding in the background and secretly using your system resources. Cyberattackers use malware to spy on you and discreetly steal your sensitive data from your device. They are designed to run in the background, hiding behind the name of a legitimate app or process.
Your laptop might also suffer from a cryptojacking attack. In this attack, crypto miners utilize your system processing power to mine cryptocurrencies without your knowledge. They can cause your CPU and GPU to constantly run at 100% capacity. This not only causes excessive overheating but also halts you from using your laptop for other purposes.
To fix it:
- Monitor your laptop's CPU usage in Task Manager. If you notice unusually high usage from an unknown process, end it immediately.
- Install and run a reputable antivirus program to scan for malware. Programs like Malwarebytes or the Windows built-in security program Defender can help detect and remove malicious software.
- Keep your operating system and software up to date. Updates often include security patches that protect against new threats.
- Use a firewall and avoid downloading files from unknown sources. Be cautious of email attachments and suspicious websites.
Outdated or incompatible drivers
Update drivers to optimize performance
Drivers are the bridge between your laptop's hardware and operating system. An outdated driver can cause the hardware to misbehave, leading to overheating. This is especially true for CPU and GPU drivers.
To fix this issue:
- Update your Windows to get driver updates. Regularly checking for Windows updates will also keep your drivers updated. You can also use Device Manager to manually update drivers.
- If drivers aren't updated through Windows update, go to the manufacturer's website and download the latest drivers for your hardware. For example, if you have an NVIDIA GPU, visit the NVIDIA website for the latest drivers.
- Open the Device Manager and check for corrupted drivers (the ones with yellow exclamation marks). If necessary, uninstall and reinstall such drivers.
- If manually managing the driver is too tedious for you, use dedicated programs to keep your drivers updated.
Overclocking the CPU or GPU
Revert to default clock speeds for stability
Many power users overclock their CPUs and GPUs to improve their system's overall performance. This pushes the hardware components to perform beyond their default limit. Overclocking on incompatible laptops can lead to excessive overheating.
Here's what you should do to fix this:
- Change back the default clock speed through your BIOS setting or using overclocking software.
- If overclocking is important for your work, ensure you have an adequate cooling system for your laptop.
- Use tools like HWMonitor to monitor your laptop temperature in real time. Then make changes to overclocking settings according to the temperature.
Dust accumulation in fans and heatsinks
Dust buildup inside the laptop can choke the cooling system, making it ineffective.
With time, dust can accumulate inside your laptop, especially around the cooling fan and heatsinks, reducing their capability. The dust layer acts as an insulator, preventing heat from coming out. The dust buildup also forces the fan to work harder, making it noisy and reducing efficiency.
To fix this issue:
- Turn off your laptop, remove the battery (if it's removable), and open the back panel.
- Use a small brush or, even better, a compressed air blower to remove the accumulated dirt and dust around the fan and vent. Do it carefully to avoid damaging internal components.
- If you find the cooling fan is deeply clogged and beyond cleaning, replace it if the laptop model allows replacement.
Dust accumulation can become a major issue, which is easily avoidable with regular cleaning. By regular, I don't mean disassembling your laptop every week or month. Ideally, you can keep your laptop clean by blowing compressed air through vents every few months without opening the panel.
Faulty or overworked cooling fan
Check and replace malfunctioning fans
While working on your laptop, if you notice the fan making unusual noises, working with interruptions, constantly running at an unusually high speed, or not spinning at all, this is an indication of a failing fan that needs to be replaced soon. Your laptop's cooling fan might be malfunctioning because of clogging or other reasons, or it might just be because of loose connections.
Here's what you should do:
- Open the laptop's back panel and check for loose connections. Ensure that the fan is properly connected to the motherboard.
- If the fan is beyond repair, replace it with a compatible model if it's replaceable.
- Utilize diagnostic tools like HWMonitor and SpeedFan to monitor the fan's performance.
- Some applications also let you adjust the speed of your unusually fast-running fan. However, only a handful of laptop models support such apps. If yours does, utilize such an app to adjust fan speed.
Old or Dried-Up Thermal Paste [H2]
Reapply thermal paste for better heat transfer
If you wonder what keeps your CPU and in-built GPU cool inside your laptop, it's thermal paste. It's a conductive material that helps transfer heat from internal components to the heatsink. However, over time, it gets dry and loses its effectiveness. This eventually results in the laptop overheating.
To fix it:
- Power off your laptop and remove the back panel and heatsink.
- Clean the dried-up thermal paste using a cleaning solution and a lint-free cloth. In the process, ensure that the GPU and CPU surfaces are also clean.
- Now, apply a pea-size drop of a high-quality thermal paste to both the GPU and CPU.
- Ensure the paste is spread evenly without excessive application.
- Re-attach the heatsink and the back panel of your laptop.
Battery or Power Adapter Issues
Inspect your laptop's power components
If you observe that your laptop gets heated only when charging, it might be due to issues with the battery or charger. A damaged battery can overcharge, causing overheating. On the other hand, a malfunctioning or duplicate power adapter can deliver inconsistent power, resulting in the laptop's overheating.
Here's what you can do:
- Check if the battery is swollen or damaged. If that's the case, immediately get it replaced because a swollen battery is a major safety hazard.
- Avoid keeping your laptop always on charge.
- Use the original or manufacturer-recommended charger only. Not every charger manufacturer follows the required safety standards.
Keep your laptop cold and running smoothly
An overheated laptop isn't just an inconvenience — in the long term, it can reduce the lifespan of your laptop or permanently damage the internal components. If you don't want to deal with costly repairs or replacements, it's better to find the root cause of overheating and fix it immediately. A well-maintained laptop will always give you peace of mind.