When a laptop overheats, the high temperatures can wreak havoc on the various computer parts. For example, the processor won’t be able to load and run programs quickly. Heat will also diminish the life of lithium-ion batteries and reduce the strength of signals from the motherboard. To take better care of your laptop, use this guide to learn why these machines overheat. 

3 Reasons Why Laptops Overheat 

1. Room Temperature

Many people keep furnaces and space heaters running nonstop during the colder months. Although high room temperatures will keep you comfortable, they aren’t good for laptop performance.

Laptops should be kept between 50 and 95 degrees to avoid overheating. When a room is extremely warm, the laptop can’t draw in cool air when it filters out heat. Lowering the temperature on the thermostat and keeping the device away from HVAC vents should prevent this problem.

2. Grime Buildup 

Your laptop has a built-in cooling system comprised of exhaust vents and a fan. The hard drives and RAM generate heat, and the exhaust vents located on the sides and bottom of the laptop filter it out of the machine. Internal fans then cool off the computer parts.

Food particles, dust, dirt, and other debris can get lodged in the vents. The buildup creates a barrier that makes it difficult for heat to leave the machine. Dusty fans won’t effectively cool the device either.

You can blow compressed air on the vents to remove the gunk. A computer repair technician might need to open the laptop to access the fan for cleaning.

3. Improper Placement

If you use the laptop while sitting in bed, sheets and blankets could cover the vents. Blocked vents restrict airflow, which causes the interior components to overheat. Placing the laptop on a hard, flat surface or mounting it on a computer stand will allow air to circulate and cool off the machine. 

If the cooling system in your laptop isn’t working as it should, let the technicians at RadioActive in Kalispell, MT, take a look. The team boasts over 60 years of combined experience, and residents throughout Flathead County trust these experts to diagnose and fix issues with various computer parts. For Mac® or PC repairs, call (406) 257-5999. See their full list of services online.