Your laptop hums like a vacuum cleaner, heats up like an iron, and your fingers on the keyboard feel like they're on a frying pan. Sound familiar? If it overheats, it's not just an inconvenience. It's a sign that something has gone wrong. Either it's not working properly, or it will break down soon. So let's figure out why this is happening and how to fix it.
Should it get hot at all?
Yes, it should. And that's normal. A laptop, like any device that works under load, generates heat. This is especially true when editing videos, playing games, working with 3D graphics, or running heavy programs. In such tasks, the processor and video card work at full capacity, and the temperature rises. This is not a problem if the laptop's cooling system is working properly.
How much is "normal"? According to Intel, the standard operating temperature for a processor under load is up to 85°C. AMD gives similar figures. Some models can withstand up to 95°C, but this is the limit, after which the system may start to reduce frequencies to avoid overheating.
The same applies to video cards: a GPU up to 85°C is considered to be in operating mode. For example, in video editing, this temperature is common.
Another issue is when it is not cooled properly. When the temperature is consistently above 90°C, the laptop is hot even in standby mode, and the fans are humming, then it's time to sound the alarm.
So why does it overheat?
But why does the temperature rise and not fall? There are many reasons for this. But most often it comes down to simple things that are obvious. That's where you should start checking.
1. Clogged with dust
This is the most common reason. Even if your laptop costs as much as a semi-automobile, it still has ventilation holes, and dust gets in there over time. Everything that flies in the air: hair, lint, crumbs, dust from the street — collects inside. Especially when you work at home, on the couch, or in bed.
This dust accumulates on the grilles, radiators, and fans, reducing airflow. As a result, the laptop literally suffocates. Heat cannot escape, the temperature rises, the cooler hums, and performance drops.
Before you panic, it's worth checking if it's time for cleaning. It's not difficult or too expensive, but the effect is noticeable. It's easiest with a removable laptop. You need to:
- carefully open the case;
- blow out the cooling system with a vacuum cleaner or a compressed air canister.
You can do this yourself at home. It is advisable to clean your laptop at least once every six months. If you don't want to disassemble it yourself, it's better to contact a service center. In most cases, it's quick, inexpensive, and really helps to reduce temperature and noise.
2. Dried thermal paste
This is not "lubricant" or something technical for professionals. It is a normal heat-conducting layer between the processor and the cooling system. It transfers heat from the processor to the radiator so that it can dissipate it effectively. And it works perfectly — until it dries out.
And it dries out over time. Especially when the laptop is working under load: editing, gaming, 3D. Then the temperature inside is constantly elevated, and the paste "bakes" faster. Because of this, heat begins to linger directly on the processor—and the temperature rises rapidly.
Externally, it looks the same as with dust: noise, freezes, hot case, coolers at maximum.
You can replace the thermal paste yourself if you have experience and the laptop is easy to disassemble. But this is no longer a "5-minute job" — you need to carefully remove the cooling system, remove the old paste, apply new paste, and put everything back together.
The best option is to take it to a service center. Specialists will do everything carefully, select high-quality thermal paste (and there are many different types) and test the laptop after replacement. It is inexpensive, but it really reduces the temperature by 10-15°C and extends the life of the device. And you can be sure that you won't damage anything.
3. Working "on your lap" or on the couch
Laptops have ventilation holes on the bottom or sides—this is where the air that cools the system flows through. But if you put it on a blanket, pillow, sofa, or just on your lap, these holes get blocked. The air doesn't circulate, and the laptop literally starts to cook in its own juice.
Even the best cooling system won't help without access to air. It's simple: no air means no cooling.
It's even worse if you work like this regularly. Constant overheating not only reduces performance but also damages the internal components.
To avoid this, you need to:
- Place your laptop only on hard, flat surfaces—a table, stand, or at least a book.
- Buy a cooling stand with fans if you often work on the go or at home on your bed. It will not only help lower the temperature, but also raise the screen slightly to a more comfortable level.
Also, do not keep your laptop close to a wall or other devices. It needs space for ventilation.
4. Laptop overloaded
Even a powerful machine can't handle video editing, a dozen browser tabs, Photoshop, background rendering, and something else running in autostart all at the same time. All of this consumes resources: processor, video card, RAM. And along with them, the temperature reserve.
This is especially true for models without a separate video card or with a small amount of RAM. They simply cannot "digest" everything you give them. As a result, overheating, freezing, and sometimes even emergency shutdowns begin.
Here's what you need to do:
- Check the startup: disable everything unnecessary that starts with the system (use the task manager or programs such as CCleaner).
- During editing, close other heavy programs and reduce the number of active tabs in your browser.
If your computer is regularly overloaded, consider upgrading or switching to a more powerful model.
5. Weak or outdated cooling system
Not all laptops are equally good at heat dissipation. This is especially true for thin ultrabooks, office models, or older devices that are simply not designed for heavy loads, such as video editing or 3D graphics. They may have weak coolers, one heat pipe instead of three, and no power reserve at all.
Over time, heat pipes can lose their effectiveness, fans wear out, and the layer of thermal paste no longer transfers heat properly. And even if everything looks "normal" on the outside, inside, the processor and video card are literally "boiling."
Therefore:
- If your laptop is several years old, it is worth doing a full preventive maintenance: replacing the thermal paste, checking the coolers, cleaning. This will restore the normal temperature.
- If the cooling system is weak to begin with, consider a stand with fans. It helps to reduce the temperature by 5-10 degrees without any intervention in the internals.
- If the temperature remains high even after cleaning, it may be time to upgrade your laptop to a model with a better cooling system.
Overheating is not a death sentence, but a warning sign. The main thing is not to ignore it. The longer it runs "hot-headed," the faster it wears out and the more likely something will burn out at the worst possible moment. And preventing this is easier than repairing it later.
How to protect your laptop from overheating? What else can you do?
We've covered the basics. But if you want your laptop to work stably for a long time, here are a few more things to consider:
- Sometimes the problem is not with the hardware, but with the firmware. Updating your video card drivers or BIOS can improve power management and reduce heat. This is especially true if your laptop is new or, conversely, has not been updated in a long time.
- Set performance limits in Windows. In the power settings, you can select "balanced" or "economy" mode, which reduces the load on the system. This is useful if you are just working with text or a browser—there is no point in running the processor at maximum capacity.
- Use utilities to control the temperature. Programs such as FanControl, MSI Afterburner, TThrottle, or utilities from the manufacturer (ASUS Armoury Crate, Lenovo Vantage, etc.) allow you to manually adjust the behavior of the fans or limit the processor frequency.
- Keep an eye on the battery. If it is old or worn out, it can sometimes cause overheating. If the battery gets very hot or discharges quickly, it is worth checking its condition in the BIOS or with special utilities (BatteryCare, HWMonitor).
- Do not charge constantly. If the laptop is constantly connected to the mains, the battery heats up more. When not needed, you can periodically disconnect the charger. Especially in summer or when working with heavy tasks.
Combating overheating is not a one-time cleaning, but regular care. Technology also has a "life" — and the better you take care of it, the longer it will work without problems.