As is the case with any electronic device, laptops can start to deteriorate when they overheat. Without the ability to release heat quickly enough, your computer’s internal components can become damaged, potentially causing it to stop working entirely in some cases. Here are some potential causes behind the issue to help you protect your device.

Why Is My Laptop Overheating?

1. Exposure to Heat 

If your laptop is exposed to prolonged, direct sunlight or high temperatures, it will struggle to cool off using its fans. Extreme heat can break down your computer’s battery and affect its circuit board, causing performance issues. Keep it in the shade and in a room-temperature environment to avoid heat-related problems. 

2. Poor Ventilation

There are exhaust vents found on the back or sides of most laptops. If these vents get blocked, heat can build up, causing the device to get too warm. Ensure enough airflow by elevating your computer with a small block or lap desk. Avoid placing it against pillows or other soft objects which can block the vents. 

3. Fan Issues

The fan is meant to cool your device, but it can heat up your laptop as it runs, creating a cycle of cooling and overheating. There are programs available for you to download to help optimize fan speed. If that doesn’t help, it’s possible the fan may be malfunctioning and may need a replacement instead.

4. Use While Charging 

While it may be difficult to avoid, try to limit how often you use your laptop while it’s plugged in. Even though draining the battery will generate some heat, charging the device—and especially over-charging it—can cause it to overheat further. When you combine the heat from charging with the heat of normal processing, even a fairly new computer can start to malfunction.

5. Intense Processes

The harder your computer’s central processing unit (CPU) has to work, the more heat it will generate. Flash videos, in particular, can strain your system and cause it to overheat. Consider installing a browser extension to block flash videos from popping up and overwhelming your CPU. A tech professional can also examine your device for other signs of intensive processes that cause your system to work harder than it should.   

If you’re experiencing issues with your computer, turn to the laptop pros at Experimax of Huntington Beach. Their technicians are trained to perform repairs, virus and malware removal, and general troubleshooting to help get your device back up and running. Find out more about their services online.

Visit our store at 18597 Brookhurst Street in Fountain Valley, CA, or call (714) 716-5005 for more information.

We're in the Callens Corner Shopping Center (Brookhurst & Ellis) to the left of Albertson’s®.

Open M-F 10-7   Sat 10-6

Experimax of Huntington Beach is home to your local Mac® experts.