Heating a computer or laptop might be frustrating but have you ever thought about why does your computer heat up so fast? Overheating computer symptoms include a device that is hot to the touch, a fan that is operating at full speed, and loud whirring noises emanating from your laptop.
You may also notice slowdowns or shutdowns when your computer attempts to complete tasks in order to cool down and prevent internal harm.
Overheating is likely to cause sluggish performance or crashes when performing high-intensity tasks like gaming or multimedia editing. However, because these symptoms could be caused by other issues, it’s a good idea to double-check that overheating is the cause by measuring the temperature inside your computer.
Keep an eye out for temperatures above 70 degrees Celsius. If you notice higher temperatures while experiencing problems, overheating is most likely to blame.
How to stop your computer from overheating?
Act swiftly if your computer is overheating to avoid data loss or severe hardware damage. Overworked fans will quickly deplete your laptop battery. And keeping core temperatures stable is critical for the long-term performance of your battery and other internal components.
Many factors could be causing your computer to overheat, so try the following steps to cool it down and avoid further shutdowns or performance issues:
Check that the fans are working
Internal PC components create a lot of heat, especially when used for lengthy periods of time. This isn’t an issue if the fans within your computer are keeping temperatures under control.
However, if your computer fan is continuously noisy, there are numerous simple ways to verify if it is functioning properly:
When you switch on your computer, you should hear the fans start up.
Feel for vibrations by placing your hand near the computer’s fan grille.
Check for movement through the fan grille with a flashlight to ensure the fans are running.
Improve airflow for desktop PCs
Even if your fans are excellent, your computer might overheat if there isn’t a constant flow of cold, fresh air moving. Place your PC on a level, firm surface that is clear of barriers on all sides to assist guarantee the vents remain unobstructed.
Remove side panels or other parts of your computer’s casing to improve ventilation, as this will change the internal pressure, making it even more difficult for the fans to maintain adequate airflow. It will also allow dust, fluff, and other junk to accumulate inside your machine, exacerbating the problem.
Improve airflow for your laptop
Because the internal components of a laptop are so close together, controlling ventilation is critical. Because the vents are often located on the bottom, resting your laptop straight on a blanket or sofa can obstruct ventilation. Place your laptop on a firm, flat surfaces, such as a table or even a book.
Some laptop protective covers can also obstruct the air vents, so if you have one, try removing it. Another way to keep your laptop cool is to avoid using it in hot environments or exposing it to direct sunlight. If you don’t have access to a well-shaded or air-conditioned room, invest in a laptop cooling pad, which blows cool air upwards to keep your machine well-ventilated.
Avoid using programs that use a lot of CPU power
The more you press your computer’s CPU, the more heat it produces. When it is overloaded for an extended period of time, temperatures can soar, and you may end up with 100% disc usage by creating virtual memory on your hard drive to cope with the increased load.
To reduce CPU stress, launch Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc and go through the applications listed in the CPU column. If any are consuming a significant amount of CPU, right-click on them and select End task to terminate them.
What causes computer overheating?
Heat is an unavoidable byproduct of all electrical machinery, including computers. Modern computers are quite powerful and can generate a lot of heat. That shouldn’t be an issue if the computer’s heat management system — its fans, heatsinks, and vents — can adequately regulate the temperature.
Let’s look at some of the most prevalent causes of computer overheating:
Applications in high demand
High-intensity programmes can deplete the capacity of the CPU or GPU, causing the components to overheat.
Several browser tabs are open
Every browser tab that is open consumes resources that might lead to overheating.
Programs that are unresponsive
When apps and tasks crash or freeze, your computer works hard to fix the problem, consuming energy and memory in the process.
Overclocking
The cooling systems of computers are built for basic performance and may not be enough for overclocked hardware.
Failure of a fan
Fans are used in computer cooling systems to manage heat. If the fans themselves have a hardware problem, it might lead to severe overheating.
obstructed air vents
If the air vents are jammed or blocked, hot air cannot disperse, heat builds up, and the temperature inside your computer rises.
out-of-date software
Buggy, out-of-date software can consume a disproportionate amount of energy. And older operating systems may be poorly optimised for gaming and other high-intensity tasks.
