One uncomfortable thing about using a laptop is overheating. The heating of a laptop is a normal thing but when it overheats, then there might be a problem. In this article, we will walk you through various ways how to keep the laptop from overheating.
The heating of a laptop mostly occurs when the internal components reach and go beyond the maximum temperature set by the manufacturer. The reasons include; inadequate airflow inside the laptop, exposure to high temperatures eg. the Sun, duct forming around the internal components, and internal fun.
Whatever the reason might be, you are here to find solutions on how to keep your laptop from overheating.
How to keep the laptop from overheating
Here are 7 best ways that will help your laptop cool to reduce the risk of overheating.
1. Raise your laptop either using a stand or book,
Raising your laptop from a level ground allows the base panel (Down part) to receive more air and push away the warm or heated air. This mostly applies to those who live in a room (space) with little air circulation in the room
Also make sure you don’t mostly use the laptop on a sofa or bed with plenty of cloths or bedsheet, or on a pillow. This action also blocks fresh air from entering and circulating on the motherboard and its components. This is to say that, when the laptop is used on any soft material mentioned above, the laptop base goes and hides in it causing little or no air to move around it.
It is more advisable to use something hard than to use something soft. An example can be using a plastic object like a tray instead of using a pillowcase.
2. Use a laptop cooling mat or Pad.
Brands like Xion, and Thermaltake make cooling mats that are widely available at computer electronic shops. They mostly have built-in fans and other forms of ventilation; which help produce additional fresh air underneath the laptop.
To do so, just plug in the electronic cooling mats and place your laptop on it and you are ready to go.
The laptop cooling mat or pad, we will recommend it to those who use the laptop heavily or for playing games.
3. Clean laptop air vents to remove dust
Regular cleaning of the laptop can help make the laptop dust-free. Accumulated dust formed around the internal components or the fan sometimes makes the laptop work more thereby causing overheating.
It is advisable to use tools like an air duster to blow off dirt from the internal space.
There are main ways of doing this, which include but are not limited to;
Opening the laptop hardware parts and blowing the dust either by yourself or giving them to an expert to do it for you.
I use an air duster to blow the dust away. With this, you don’t need to open the laptop. But it can be done by blowing the dust on either the right, left, or down part of the laptop.
Note that, since we have different types of laptops, so there will be different types of air space around them.
Always make sure to power off your device completely and unplug all connected cables before cleaning it.
4. Keep or use your laptop in a cool environment
Using your laptop in cool weather or climate makes the laptop save more energy thereby not producing too much heat, on the other hand using a laptop in a hot season or climate makes the laptop use more energy thereby producing more energy.
It is advisable not to use or leave your laptop in the sun while working. Also, for those who use laptops for gaming, we recommend you use your laptop in an air condition room because the environment there or around is cooler which makes the laptop work less.
5. Install a program to keep track of your laptop temperature
The advancement of technology has made it simple for users to install apps that can track the temperature and performance of their PC. They include HWMonitor, Core Temp, GPU-Z, and SpeedFan. Etc. When the temperature of your laptop rises, the apps can detect them and you can manually close CPU and GPU-intensive apps to cool things down.
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6. Using An original Charger for the laptop.
Using non-original chargers or uncertified chargers for your laptop while charging can cause overheating. This is because some unapproved chargers used for charging laptops mostly send more voltage to the laptop making it receive more than what it can take.
So it is advisable to use certified chargers only to reduce the risk of overheating or causing damage to the internal board of the laptop.
7. Avoid running too many apps or software at a time.
Using too many apps at a time can also cause your laptop to overheat. Always try to close used software to make the laptop processing smooth to avoid overheating.
One piece of advice we will give to users is that they can turn on power saving mode to make the laptop process software or applications at a go.
Side Effects of Laptop Overheating
The first thing is, it reduces the lifespan of the laptop especially when you have an in-built battery. Since the laptop is in a state of overheating always, you put it on charge because it makes the battery run down fast. Continual doing of this will reduce the lifespan of the laptop. (battery)
Another effect is making the laptop system instability, data corruption in most cases, and hardware failure.
How to stop overheating laptop when gaming
- Play in a room with Air Conditioning set lower than room temperature.
- Create elevated space underneath your laptop for improved air circulation.
- Lower your graphic setting
- Do not overclock.
- Remove the battery of your laptop and use a direct power source.
- Run only your game when you are gaming.
- Clean your laptop insides regularly.
Final Thought
Overheating of the laptop can happen for many reasons; which include inadequate airflow inside the laptop, exposure to high temperatures eg. the Sun, duct forming around the internal components, and the internal fun. Follow the ways mentioned above to help you solve this issue.
FAQs on laptop Overheating
Why does my laptop overheat?
Laptops can overheat due to inadequate airflow, exposure to high temperatures, dust accumulation, or using the laptop in a hot environment.
How can I prevent my laptop from overheating?
You can prevent overheating by elevating the laptop for better airflow, using a cooling pad, regularly cleaning the air vents, using the laptop in a cool environment, monitoring the temperature, using an original charger, and avoiding running too many apps simultaneously.
Can using a laptop on a soft surface cause overheating?
Yes, using a laptop on a soft surface like a bed or pillow can block airflow, leading to overheating. It’s better to use a hard surface or a laptop stand to ensure proper ventilation.
Do cooling pads work?
Yes, cooling pads with built-in fans and ventilation can effectively reduce the laptop’s temperature by providing additional airflow underneath the laptop.
How often should I clean the air vents of my laptop?
It is recommended to clean the air vents of your laptop every few months to prevent dust accumulation and ensure proper airflow.
Are there any software solutions to prevent laptop overheating?
Yes, you can install programs that monitor your laptop’s temperature and performance, allowing you to close CPU and GPU-intensive apps to cool down the system when needed.
Can using a non-original charger cause laptop overheating?
Yes, using non-original or uncertified chargers can cause overheating as they may send more voltage to the laptop than it can handle. It’s best to use certified chargers to avoid this issue.
What are the side effects of laptop overheating?
Laptop overheating can reduce the lifespan of the laptop, especially the battery, and may also cause performance issues and hardware damage over time.