We have just received an email and the title of that email ( Laptop Charger Overheating Fix ) in which one of our regular readers asked us how can he fix his old overheating laptops. Well, we have found this question very interesting so we have decided to write an article on it.
A laptop charger becomes heated because it is transferring an electrical charge from one spot to another. But, the primary problem arises when the laptop charger starts to burn and you can’t even touch it for a few seconds, thus Why Does Laptop Charger Become Hot?
The problem is with the block that connects the plug to the electrical outlet and the adapter (which goes into the computer). The block functions as a transformer.
When an electrical current is sent to it from the outlet, the voltage is adjusted to meet the needs of the laptop. The voltage change generates heat, which warms the transformer and socket.
If you suspect that your laptop charger is overheating, here’s a fast and extensive guide to determining why this is happening and how to correct it.
To begin, let me state unequivocally that laptop chargers are generally hot to the touch while plugged in and charging your laptop.
Thus, if your laptop charger is only mildly/moderately hot to the touch, everything is probably fine. If, on the other hand, it’s growing so hot that it’s unpleasant to simply touch it, you may have an overheating laptop charger.
In this post, we will discuss some of the most common causes of a laptop charger overheating, as well as remedies to these problems.
Why Does My Laptop Charger Gets Hot When It’s Charging?
To begin, it is vital to understand that all laptop chargers may become rather warm when charging. This is a common occurrence and occurs because, as your adapter carries electricity from the electric socket into your laptop or MacBook, a little amount of energy is released as heat.
This is because the charging process is not completely effective. And to carry electricity through your power cable, those inefficiencies are discharged as heat.
Yet, depending on several conditions, a charger can overheat and even become unpleasant to the touch – a major red flag to watch for. If left unchecked, this might lead to a variety of catastrophic problems, including internal and exterior damage to the adapter, laptop, or even the user in the worst-case situation.
Is It Normal For A Laptop Charger To Get Hot?
If you have a gaming laptop and are using it at full throttle. So it’s probably drawing the most power possible through the adaptor.
In such a situation, it’s fine if the charger gets hotter than usual. As long as the temperature returns to normal while the laptop is idle.
But, if it continues to be that hot even when your laptop is idle. Then it’s either overheated or will most certainly overheat shortly.
Check to determine whether your charger is still charging your laptop battery when it gets that hot. If it isn’t, or if it alternates between charging and not charging. Very likely, your power adapter is overheated.
If you see or hear any, detach it from your laptop immediately and replace it…
Examine the power adapter for any evidence of smoke or strange noises emanating from its internals. If you see or hear any, unplug it from your laptop immediately and replace it.
It’s not worth attempting to repair since you can end up having to replace your laptop like I did when a smoldering laptop charger damaged my laptop’s internals. As a result, it is effectively a pricey paperweight.
Yet, if there is no trace of smoke or strange noises. Something else might be causing the overheating problems.
Is It Normal For Laptop Charger To Get Hot While Gaming?
Some games challenge the computer to render extremely difficult landscapes. To create the power required to operate the game, the computer will fire on all cylinders.
While the computer’s battery is being depleted at a quicker pace, high-performance games are. And applications might cause the associated power adapter to heat up more than usual.
Depending on how hot the charger gets, you may need to adjust the graphic settings in the game to make it easier for the computer to operate.
It should be remembered that a laptop charger will grow hot while the laptop is running demanding applications, such as games. Nonetheless, the charger should not be excessively hot or too painful to touch.
If you suspect the power adapter is overheating when playing games, I recommend following the troubleshooting methods I discussed previously in the post.
Laptop Charger Overheated And Stopped Working
If the laptop’s charger continues to overheat, there’s a good chance that the power adapter may suffer damage. And possibly damage the computer to which it’s attached.
If the charger is damaged due to overheating, it may become inoperable. It is most likely what you are experiencing if the charger suddenly ceased working after being exposed to extreme heat.
It should be noted that certain chargers stop operating for a brief amount of time while hot, but then resume working once cooled.
After much experimentation, I discovered that the laptop’s battery might be the villain in this scenario.
I had ten hot chargers attached to the same ten computers that they were connected to when the problem occurred, and I let them run for 30-60 minutes to see what I could come up with.
Six of the ten laptops had bad batteries that needed to be replaced. When we changed the battery, the charger stopped working as hard and significantly cooled down.
The others were either in overdrive because the computer’s software was too demanding or because the charger was malfunctioning, but the bulk of those ten PCs experienced battery issues.
A group of ten computers isn’t quite enough to reach a decision, but it’s something to consider while troubleshooting.
Is It Possible For A Charger To Catch Fire When It Is Overheating?
Although it is extremely unlikely, a laptop charger can cause an electrical fire. Keep in mind that, given the vast number of chargers in use every day, it is quite unlikely for one to catch fire.
Yet, because it is feasible, I believe it is critical to cover the subject and disseminate knowledge.
When heated sufficiently, a laptop charger can catch fire, especially if it comes into direct contact with certain materials or has exposed wires.
A fire is nearly often started by a broken charger, but it can also be started by the improper sort of charger or a charger that has been used wrongly for a long period.
Working chargers in excellent condition practically never ignite a fire; while this may not seem comforting, it is exceedingly unlikely.
If you’re concerned about your laptop charger catching fire, have it inspected? The danger isn’t worth it.
5 Reasons Why Your Laptop Charger Is Overheating
There are several causes for your power adapter to overheat. It will be beneficial to learn about them before we attempt to resolve them.
1. Cheap Or Unreliable Devices
Many adapters on the market are dirt cheap and do not match the electrical specifications. If your adapter falls under this category, you should be concerned about the safety of your device.
2. An incompatible adaptor
If your charger is incompatible with your laptop, it may cause the adapter to overheat.
3. Putting Your Charger On A Heat-Trapping Surface
You’ve probably observed that placing your charger or laptop in an area that inhibits airflow around them causes overheating.
The heat from the charging adaptor is trapped by your bed, sofa, or any other cushioned surface, causing the temperature to rise.
4. The Problem Is With The Batteries
Certain laptop batteries require a high level of electricity to charge the device. If you have this variation, the charging current for your smartphone is more than the charger’s rated current. As a result, the adapter overheats. If you just replaced your battery and are now experiencing overheating problems, your battery is not the same as the prior one.
5. Malfunction or Abnormality of the Device
Power adapter overheating can be caused by a faulty device or power outlet. It might induce a short circuit, resulting in a temperature rise.
Is It Bad For My Laptop Charger To Get Hot?
The heating up of your laptop or charger is undoubtedly irritating, but it serves a purpose. Laptop chargers convert alternating electricity to direct current. Transistors and switching ICs generate the greatest heat since they handle power concerns.
Because the whole circuit board is made of plastic and there is no mechanism for heat to escape, the adapter tends to heat up even while under low load.
If you play a lot of games and can’t stop playing on your gaming laptop even when it’s charging, you should be prepared for overheating problems.
Because of the high processing power, the battery of such laptops empties fast, and your continued use of the gadget, while it is charging, raises the temperature.
There’s no need to fear if your charger gets a bit warm when plugged in. But, if it becomes too hot to hold, be prepared to fix it before it becomes a major issue.
How Do I Stop My Laptop From Overheating?
So, if you’re feeling enough heat to be classified as overheating, we need to figure out what’s causing it so that we can make modifications and reduce the temperature just enough to meet acceptable levels for a power adapter.
Overheating or faulty power adapters must be addressed as soon as possible since they might not only cause the adapter to melt but also harm the laptop’s battery.
To prevent a charger from overheating, you must first troubleshoot both the charger and the computer to identify the issue. I’ve observed a variety of causes for a laptop charger to overheat, but I’ve compiled a list of those that are frequently engaged in the process.
1. Consider the surroundings of the laptop charger.
If there is a radiator or another heat source next to your power adapter, it may overheat. Avoid placing the power adapter in direct sunlight or an isolated location, since this may cause the temperature of the adapter to increase over suggested values.
You also don’t want anything obscuring the adaptor. Put it on the floor, leaving enough room around it for optimal ventilation. This is especially true on hot summer days, when you may need to open a window or install a fan to keep your devices cool.
2. Check that you’re using the correct laptop charger.
The firm where I work has a plethora of unused chargers. Most customers also return their chargers when it’s time to upgrade, which means we have a large number of various chargers in our inventory.
Whenever I need a charger, I go to the warehouse and retrieve one of the returned chargers, which I then bring back to my computer. With such a diverse range of chargers available, it would be simple for me to choose the incorrect one.
It would be disastrous. Why?
Various computers require varying power outputs from the adapter to function. Utilizing a power adapter that is intended to provide slightly more or slightly less power than your laptop requires might result in irreparable harm to the laptop.
Furthermore, by utilizing a charger that is incapable of providing enough power to the laptop, you will push the adapter to function in overdrive. What were the outcomes? A charger that has overheated.
Check that the wattage output of the adapter is compliant with the computer’s requirements. The charger should include a label indicating whether it is a 45, 60, 90, or 120-watt charger (or possibly more).
For the charger to be compatible with the laptop, it must have the necessary voltage and current specifications.
3. Examine the laptop charger for damage or flaws.
This is one of the most typical causes of an overheated charger, in my experience. Utilizing a faulty or broken charger may quickly result in elevated heat. Today, it’s difficult to determine whether the charger is broken or faulty, and you may not realize it until it’s too late.
Examining the wires and connecting points for damage is an excellent place to start. A manufacturer-certified charger manufactured exclusively for your laptop is an even better place to start.
Avoid off-brand chargers, no matter how appealing the price may appear. Buying a low-quality adapter at a low price will come back to haunt you when the charger damages your laptop.
Examine your present charger for signs of wear and tear. If you discover anything out of the usual, consider replacing it to reduce the chance of harming the laptop.
4. A defective laptop battery might overheat the charger.
If the laptop’s battery is growing old and degraded, it will have a more difficult time driving currents through the battery’s cells to keep it charged.
Because of the degraded battery, the adapter will have to work harder. This might explain why the charger’s temperature has risen.
Nobody has an extra laptop battery lying around their house nowadays. As a result, putting this thesis to the test may be difficult. Yet, there are techniques to determine whether or not your battery needs replacing.
5. Charge the laptop when it is not in use.
Charging the laptop while it is switched off may result in the adapter reaching greater temperatures.
Most laptops have a battery life of 3-6 hours when fully charged, so you don’t have to keep your power adapter plugged in all the time.
While this isn’t a long-term solution, it is a temporary one that may be utilized during warmer days or until you find a more permanent answer.
Taking Care Of Your Laptop
Caring for a laptop or Mac charger and its components includes more than just a single adapter and charging device; it also entails other healthy practices that considerably aid in keeping the charging adapter, and therefore the laptop, in top form.
Tip 1: Avoid overcharging or charging overnight.
Modern laptops typically include a specialized mechanism that kicks in when the battery is full to prevent the excess power from destroying the battery. Given that most laptop batteries nowadays are Li-Ion (Lithium Ion), overcharging (for example, charging overnight) can result in a lot of undesirable chemical material accumulation, which can harm the battery and ruin the charger as a result of overwork.
Despite the lesser risks of the charger and battery deterioration from this type of damage, long-term usage may still wear out the battery. And the power adapter, often through long-term overheating and excessive charger adapter use.
Tip 2: Charger timings
Of course, when playing games or running memory/graphics card-heavy programs, the battery might fast deplete as the energy for processing continues to rise. As tempting as it may be to just put in the charger and continue working or playing, charging while in use may harm not only the laptop but also the charging port, since it will struggle to produce enough current to keep the device going.
As a result, aside from preventing overheating your Mac charger, it’s strongly suggested to wait a while and allow the laptop cool down, and then give it a specific length of time to charge when the laptop is off, or on standby mode, with no energy sucking applications running. This will allow the charger to consistently charge the battery without being interrupted by outside factors that might cause it to overwork to produce power.
How To Prevent Overheating?
It doesn’t take much to keep chargers from overheating:
1) Change the Batteries
If you’ve discovered that the heat in your charger is caused by a malfunctioning battery, the obvious answer is to replace the battery. But, you cannot afford to purchase the incorrect battery. Check the manufacturer’s website for the proper power and current ratings for your laptop.
2) Change the Charger
Replace any charger that has rips, tears, or exposed wires. You should match the charger’s rating to the battery’s rating. If you need help deciding which charger to buy, go to the laptop manufacturer’s website.
3). Store the Charger in a Safe Place
Maintain the charger in a well-ventilated area. Do not suffocate the charger with heavy fabrics like comforters. Look for ways to keep the charger cool. If it continues to overheat despite your attempts, the battery or charger is defective.
But, if it remains chilly, you should be OK. If the problem was the atmosphere, you should attempt to maintain the charger in a well-ventilated area.
Final Verdict
Finally, a laptop charger growing hot is a typical occurrence, especially while utilizing demanding apps like gaming. If, on the other hand, the charger stays hot even when the laptop is inactive,
That might be an indication of an overheating problem that needs to be addressed. Overheating might harm the charger or possibly start a fire, thus proper safety precautions must be used.
Possible causes of a laptop charger overheating include inexpensive or unreliable equipment, incompatibility, heat-trapping surfaces, and battery difficulties. And device failure or abnormality.
It is advised to examine the charger for any flaws or problems. And to replace it as soon as possible if necessary. Overall, it is critical to monitor the temperature of your laptop charger and take care to minimize any potential problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bad if my laptop charger gets hot?
When you plug in your laptop charger and turn it on, it heats up. While charging your laptop while using it, a slightly hot adapter is typical.
How do I stop my laptop charger from overheating?
1)Avoid putting the adapter near the radiators. The first step is to place the laptop adapter somewhere cool.
2)Use Power Saver to lower Computer performance.
3)Remove the battery from the laptop.
4)Unplug the adaptor now and again.
Why does my laptop charger get so hot so quickly?
If the adapter is excessively hot, it’s most likely due to a malfunctioning laptop battery, an improper charger, or a broken or damaged laptop charger. It’s also conceivable that the weather has become too heated.
Does charging overnight cause a fire?
No, but they can be abused. Batteries, on the other hand, can ignite a fire if they are overcharged, short-circuited, immersed in water, or broken. It is critical to charge them appropriately.
Is it bad if my gaming laptop charger gets hot?
It’s usual for gaming laptop chargers to become hot, but this might be an indication of a problem. Excessive heat might signal a problem with the charger or the laptop. To avoid injury, keep an eye on the temperature and seek expert help if required.
