Is Your Laptop Overheating: Common Causes, Signs, and Fixes
You’re busy working on your computer, and it slows down all of a sudden—and then even slower. Then it starts to get hot, and your laptop is suddenly overheating. You feel the heat coming from the bottom of your laptop. It gets so hot that you’re worried about it being damaged and maybe melting!?. Why does this happen in the first place, and what can you do if it does?
This post covers what causes your laptop to overheat, the signs that your laptop is overheating, and how to fix it.
The Reasons Your Laptop Overheats
There are a few reasons your laptop can overheat, and we’ve listed down the most common ones:
1. Too Many Programs Running
The first reason your laptop overheats is that it runs a lot of programs. It works harder to process all of that information simultaneously, which can cause it to generate more heat. Even running too many tabs on a browser can cause its internal temperatures to rise.
2. Dirty Hardware
The second reason for overheating is hardware. If you don’t clean your laptop or there’s something on your laptop fan, it can cause your laptop to work harder and overheat.
3. Soft Surface
The third reason is using your laptop on a soft surface, such as a bed or
sofa. Doing so will compromise the air circulation on your laptop’s fanning system, causing it to overheat as well.
4. Virus or Malware
Viruses and malware cause laptops to run certain processes and use up more energy, which can cause their temperatures to rise.
The Signs Your Laptop is Overheating
Your laptop will start to smell like burning rubber or melting plastic. In some cases, the fan will start to slow down. On the other hand, if your laptop doesn’t have a fan, the entire laptop will heat up. The heat will start to burn you. Some laptops have a tiny red light, which shows the temperature. If that light turns on, it means it’s overheating. It will also start slowing down its processes to prevent internal damage.
How to Fix Your Laptop When It Overheats
If your laptop is overheating, the first thing to do is to turn it off. Shut down the laptop, put it on a hard surface, and cool it down for 10 minutes. More often than not, this will fix the issue.
If that doesn’t work, it’s likely because of a fan issue. The best thing to do is clean your laptop fan. You can do this by using a can of compressed air. If you don’t have that, you can use a piece of paper to clean it. If it’s still overheating, clean your laptop and wipe down every part of your laptop.
If nothing works, then it needs to be opened and taken apart to identify what's causing the issue. Although some people can do this by themselves (others with the guidance of YouTube), it's best to have a professional do this for you. This is because there could be a more serious issue, which is why the laptop continues to overheat.
The Fix
A lot of people don’t know what causes their laptops to overheat. If you’re worried about your laptop overheating, knowing the common causes, the signs, and what you can do about it will help you solve the issue more efficiently.
Let us help you with your laptop problems here at J-BIT TECH. We are a trusted provider of Albuquerque computer services with well-trained technicians who can get your laptop up and running again. Book an appointment today!
