An overheating laptop is not an uncommon thing, but it can lead to decreased laptop efficiency and a shorter lifespan if you’re not careful. Here are a few ways to protect your laptop from damage due to overheating:
Potential Causes of Laptop Overheating
Obviously, laptops generate heat when in use – that’s why they have internal fans that blow out hot air, as well as suck in cooler air to dissipate the excess heat. So, if you notice your laptop starting to persistently shut down or slow down at random times, chances are it’s overheating.
Some of the causes of overheating are:
- Damaged or malfunctioning fans due to dirt and grime clogging the interior, preventing the blades from rotating properly.
- Blocked air vents preventing air from flowing into the laptop.
- Old laptop batteries rely on lithium, a chemical that naturally decays over time; as the battery gets older, it becomes less efficient and generates more heat.
- Running too many software programs in the background can cause your processor and fans to go on overdrive.
- Bad habits when using your laptop, such as using uneven or soft surfaces as padding, can block the air vents.
What to Do if Your Laptop’s Overheating
If your laptop starts overheating, the first thing you should do is turn your laptop off and check if the fan is damaged in any way. Next, inspect the vents and fan for any dirt, grime, or other possible causes of blockage.
Also, check how many software programs or apps run on startup whenever your switch your laptop on. If your laptop is overheating or shutting down after a while, you may have to disable some of these applications during startups.
Keeping It Cool
Always make sure that there’s adequate airflow when you’re using your laptop. Avoid using it in bed or on a carpet. And never use pillows as padding as they can block the air vents Better yet, invest in a cooling pad – they lift your laptop and have built-in fans that facilitate better airflow.
Other ways to avoid overheating are limiting the number of programs that run when you start your laptop, changing your settings to power save mode, and shutting down your laptop when you’re not using it.
Contact SWK Technologies for Laptop and Other Device Support
Users often take their laptops for granted because they’re built as plug-and-play devices. However, with a little extra care and attention, your laptops can last longer.
If you want to prolong the lifespan of your hardware, contact SWK’s support services today.
