Are you noticing that your laptop is getting hotter and hotter, even with normal use? An overheated laptop can cause sluggish performance, noisy fans and, in the worst cases, even hardware damage. But why is your laptop getting hot? And what can you do about it? In this blog, we explain why your laptop is getting hot and help you solve it easily.

• Why does your laptop get so hot?
• Dangers of an overheated laptop
• Helpful and effective cooling down tips
• Control laptop

Why does your laptop get so hot?

A laptop that feels like a mini hot plate is not only annoying, but can also affect performance. But why does your laptop get so hot/hot? We’ll explain it to you below:

Accumulation of dust and dirt

Dust and dirt clog the vents, preventing heat from dissipating properly. This forces your laptop to work harder, which only makes it hotter. Need to have your laptop cleaned internally?

Make here your appointment at ThePhoneLab for a deep clean of your Windows laptop:

Heavy programs in the background

The more tasks your laptop runs, the harder the processor has to work and the more heat it produces. Large programs and a soft surface (such as a bed or couch) make the problem worse.

Dried out cooling paste

Between the processor and the cooler is a layer of cooling paste to transfer heat properly. Over time, this dries out, making the cooling less effective and causing your laptop to overheat faster.

Faulty or inefficient cooling

Are the fans not working properly or turning too slowly? Then heat will linger in your laptop. Especially in older laptops with little ventilation space, cooling falls short. This may indicate that your laptop’s fans need to be replaced. Make here your appointment for a fan replacement at ThePhoneLab.

Dangers of an overheated laptop

A hot laptop is annoying, but an overheated laptop is really a hot mess. Literally. Besides being uncomfortable having a mini radiant heater on your lap, prolonged heat can cause major problems.

First of all, your laptop’s speed suffers. As soon as the temperature rises, it automatically shifts down a gear to protect itself. Consequence? Programs are slow to respond, your mouse moves like it’s sliding through molasses, and even opening a simple Web page feels like a marathon. You can read about this and more in: ‘ Is your laptop slow? that’s how you fix that in no time!

In addition, your laptop may crash unexpectedly or turn itself off. Not exactly convenient if you were just typing an important document (and you just happened not to have saved it). And if the heat persists, components such as the processor and battery can suffer permanent damage. In extreme cases, the solder joint can even melt, and while melted cheese is great, the same is not true for your laptop. Your battery also suffers. Heat accelerates wear and tear, causing your laptop to lose power faster and faster. Are you in need of a new laptop battery? We’d love to help you out! Don’t wait too long and make an appointment for a battery replacement for your laptop at ThePhoneLab.

In short, overheating is not only irritating but also bad for the life of your laptop.

Laptop cooling tips

1. Ensure good ventilation
   Place your laptop on a hard, flat surface and avoid soft surfaces such as a bed or sofa. If necessary, use a laptop stand to improve airflow.
2. Keep your laptop clean, physically and digitally
   Dust and dirt clog the vents and fans. Blow them clean regularly with compressed air or use a soft brush to prevent dust buildup. In addition, keep your digital environment (files and programs) clean, know the best way to do this? Then read: Cleaning up your laptop, effortlessly.
3. Close unnecessary programs
   The less your laptop has to do, the less heat it produces. Shut down heavy programs, especially if you are not using your laptop for a while.
4. Cooling paste replacement
   Is your laptop a bit older and is it structurally getting too hot? Then dried out cooling paste could be the culprit. Have this replaced professionally or do it yourself if you are handy. Want to know when your laptop needs replacement and how long it can last? Then read: How long does a laptop last?
5. Use a cooling pad
   An external laptop cooler with built-in fans can help bring the temperature down, especially during heavy use such as gaming or video editing.

Laptop to be checked

Does your laptop keep getting too hot despite all the tips? Then it’s time for a thorough checkup. So prolonged heat can damage your hardware and significantly reduce performance. Fortunately, you can come to us for free consultation, a professional laptop check and thorough cleaning. Our experts check your laptop for all possible causes and offer you the best solution with the best service. Not sure if your laptop needs maintenance? Feel free to come by for a free diagnosis or make here instant appointment online. We are happy to help you so that your laptop works cool and fast again!