Laptop on Fire? 7 Cooling Strategies for Your Overheated Laptop
By: RebootPoint_employee | Published: November 29, 2023
Photo by Nubelson Fernandes
You’re not the only one who’s experienced a lot of heat radiating from your PC. Knowing how to cool down a heated computer properly is essential to guaranteeing its durability and peak performance as overheating may be a frequent problem.
Several things might cause a computer to get heated, such as excessive use, poor cooling, or dust buildup. This guide will take you on a trip to turn your overheated PC from a furnace of fire to a cool haven. Regardless of your level of experience with technology, this post is meant to offer helpful information on the techniques for cooling down a heated computer and maximizing its thermal efficiency.
Why does my computer get hot?
There are a number of reasons why your computer might get hot, and knowing what these are is essential to keeping it running smoothly and avoiding any harm.
- Processor activity: The central processing unit (CPU) can become hot during demanding tasks like playing graphics-intensive games, editing videos, or running demanding software.
- Malicious Software: Your computer’s system resources may be exhausted by malware or undesired background operations, which increases heat generation. It’s crucial to regularly scan the system and keep an eye out for any questionable activities.
- Insufficient Cooling System: Poor heat dissipation can result in overheating of your computer if the cooling system, which includes fans and heat sinks, is malfunctioning or clogged with dust.
- Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and gaming: The graphics processing unit (GPU) is taxed by gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks, which produces extra heat. Extended gaming sessions can cause increased temperatures, especially for gaming laptops.
- Power Configurations: Elevated temperatures can result from computer components operating at maximum capacity while using high-performance power settings. Temperature and performance may be balanced with the use of power setting adjustments.
- Multitasking and background processes: When there are several open apps, the CPU needs to work harder to meet their individual processing demands. This increases CPU use, which in turn increases heat generation. Certain programs continue to run in the background even when they are not in use. These background processes have the potential to use up system resources and increase heat production overall.
How to monitor CPU and GPU temp
The ability to monitor CPU temperature is essential for safeguarding your system from overheating and other performance issues. By keeping an eye on the temperature, you can identify and address overheating problems before they compromise the stability of your system.
Download a third-party software
Numerous third-party applications specialize in hardware monitoring, such as CPU-Z, HWMonitor, or Core Temp. You can easily monitor your CPU temperature and make sure that your system stays under safe operating limits by utilizing third-party software. Keeping optimal efficiency and spotting any problems are made easier with routine monitoring.
Go to the official website of the monitoring software that you intend to use. Some examples include:
CPU-Z
HWMonitor.
Core Temperature
- Select the Correct Version: Make sure you get the correct software version for your operating system (Windows in this example).
- Locate Monitoring Software: Search for programs related to hardware diagnostics, utilities, or system monitoring. The names used by manufacturers may differ.
- Setup the Software: To install the monitoring software on your computer, run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
What is the optimal temperature for your CPU
The ideal temperature for a CPU might change based on the brand and model. Generally speaking, though, most CPUs are made to function in a specific temperature range. Under normal working circumstances, the temperature range for desktop CPUs is generally 40 to 80 degrees Celsius.
- The temperature at Idle: When a computer is not performing intensive activities, its idle temperature should normally be between 30 and 45 degrees Celsius (86 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit), which is on the lower end of the permitted range.
- High Load: Temperatures can increase when the CPU is operating under a high load, like while playing games or other resource-intensive tasks. Under load, CPUs may often be seen operating at the 60–80 degrees Celsius range.
- Thermal Throttling: Through a process called thermal throttling, modern CPUs are built to guard against overheating. In order to minimize heat output, the CPU may drop its clock speed if temperatures rise over safe thresholds. Although the CPU is protected, performance may be affected.
Close down applications and background tasks
Shutting down unused programs and background processes is one of the easiest but most efficient methods to control the temperature of your computer. Many programs are frequently running in the background on your computer, which increases CPU utilization and heat production. Your system can run more smoothly and at a lower temperature if you drastically lighten the load on it by closing down background apps and unwanted programs.
- You can view which apps and tasks are active as well as how much power they use by using Task Manager. Search for “Task Manager” in Windows search and then click on “Processor” to see which application is consuming the most power and memory.
Boost airflow
Dust and debris buildup can reduce the performance of fans, which are essential for improving airflow. To guarantee clear airflow, clean your fans and intake regions on a regular basis. Fan blade dust accumulation can hinder spinning and lower fan effectiveness.
- To get rid of dust and get the fans working again, use compressed air or the right cleaning supplies. This easy-to-do but crucial maintenance work helps keep the system constantly cool and helps prevent overheating.
- An accumulation of disorganized cables inside the case might hinder ventilation and raise the temperature. Use sensible cable management techniques to keep wires neat and out of the way. To keep wires from tangling and to make sure they don’t obstruct the flow, secure them with cable ties or Velcro straps.
Disable CPU overclocking
CPU overclocking is the process of forcing a processor to run faster than it is designed to. Although this can lead to better performance, it also increases heat production and power consumption. Disabling CPU overclocking in the system settings will assist in lowering temperatures to a more tolerable level if your laptop is prone to overheating or if you’re having problems with performance.
Usually, you have to get into the laptop’s BIOS or UEFI settings to disable CPU overclocking. Remember that the instructions may differ significantly based on the brand and model of the laptop.
Note! Modifying the BIOS or UEFI settings may affect the stability of the computer. Only make modifications if you are comfortable working with the BIOS/UEFI interface. Proceed with care.
- Shut Down Your Laptop: Once your laptop has restarted, save any open files. Be careful to turn it back on after completely shutting it down.
- To access the UEFI/BIOS: You have to gain access to the BIOS/UEFI settings during the boot process. Usually, you accomplish this by pressing a certain key on your keyboard. The keys Esc, Del, F2, F10, F12, and Enter are often used. If in doubt, seek advice from the manufacturer’s website or the handbook that came with your laptop.
- Go to the Advanced Settings by navigating: Go to the advanced settings or a CPU settings area once you’re in the BIOS/UEFI settings. The precise position of these options may fluctuate depending on the manufacturer.
- Find the Overclocking Configuration: Search for overclocking-related parameters. This could be referred to as the “CPU Multiplier,” “CPU Ratio,” or some such term. Look for a setting that lets you turn off overclocking or return the values to their original settings.
- Turn Off Overclocking: If an overclocking option appears, set it to “Disabled” or return the parameters to their original defaults. It’s important to carefully study the instructions offered on the screen since the actual language and alternatives may differ.
- Save and Leave: Once you’ve made your adjustments, choose the save and leave option. This is frequently referred to as “Save & Exit,” “Exit,” or a related phrase. Verify if you really want to keep the modifications.
Raise the Laptop
In some situations, a laptop’s design prevents adequate ventilation, which raises the temperature. Elevating the laptop with a laptop stand or cooling pad that has built-in fans is a great solution. These gadgets improve airflow beneath the laptop in addition to offering a comfortable typing position.
The laptop won’t overheat when using it for lengthy periods of time thanks to the improved airflow. Raising the laptop will also improve your ergonomics since it will position your laptop in a better position for your eyes and neck.
External cooling options
- External Fans: Think about using external USB-powered cooling fans for extra cooling, particularly for laptops. By placing these portable fans in the right places to increase airflow around the laptop, heat can be efficiently dissipated and ideal operating temperatures may be maintained.
- Cooling Mats: To improve the cooling process, certain laptops are fitted with cooling mats. These mats frequently include extra cooling agents or materials that efficiently absorb and release heat. A more effective cooling system may result from placing your laptop on one of these cooling mats.
Check for malware and virus
Without your awareness, malicious software, or malware, can operate in the background and use up important system resources. Certain malware programs carry out tasks that dramatically raise CPU utilization, making your laptop work harder than it ought to and producing more heat.
It’s crucial to use reliable antivirus software to regularly scan your laptop for malware in order to detect and remove any risks, which lowers the chance of overheating. Make sure your antivirus program is up to date and set up routine scans to find and eliminate any possible threats before they affect the functionality of your laptop.
If you wish to strengthen your Windows computer’s security, have a look at this website.