Keep your laptop from overheating

Notebook PCs, a.k.a laptops have become fast enough now where people choose them for both portability and for every-day work. There are even models designed to take on work that used to be for workstations only, such as CAD and video editing.

The problem with all of that power in a smaller form factor mean less space for computer chips, transistors, RAM, hard drives, and other hardware components. Add to this smaller fans & less ventilation. This leads to overheating.

Causes of overheating

Laptops generate heat when in use. That’s why they have internal fans that blow out hot air and suck in cooler air. So when your laptop keeps shutting down or suffers some serious slowdowns, chances are it’s overheating.

Some causes of overheating are:

• Damaged or malfunctioning fans are due to dirt and grime clogging up the fan, preventing it from rotating properly.
  Blocked air vents prevents air from flowing into the laptop.
• Old laptop battery 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, leading to overheating.

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. This can slow down its rotation. 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 immediately after switching your laptop on. If your laptop is overheating or shutting down after a while, you may have to disable applications on startup.

Keeping it cool

Always make sure that there’s adequate airflow when you’re using your laptop. Avoid using your laptop in bed or on a carpet. And never use pillows as padding as they can block the air vents of your laptop. 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.

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.

Need help with hardware?

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 Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.