Like all electrical appliances, laptops get hot during use. This is a normal process and components are designed for high temperatures. However, exceeding the temperature threshold is a dangerous situation that can lead to both unstable operation of the system and its complete failure. Therefore, it is very important to determine in advance if the system is overheating in order to eliminate its cause.
Cooling system malfunction
Modern laptops that pack high-performance modules in a small package can get very hot. The built-in cooling system is designed to eliminate overheating - a vital and most vulnerable part of the laptop.
The main enemy of the cooling system is dust. It is very important to carry out regular dry cleaning of dust, it is advisable to do this every few months or more often. Determine the malfunction of the cooling system without opening the laptop. If it starts to get hotter even when performing simple tasks, the coolers inside work constantly and you can hear a rattling noise during rotation - it's time to clean the fans, the inside of the case and ventilation openings. In most cases, this will fix the problem.
At the same time, there are situations when the cause is not a general problem of the cooling system, but a malfunction of specific modules. It is very important to determine the “culprit” precisely and this can be done both with the help of special utilities and with the help of indirect signs.
Problems with individual system components
There are dozens of programs that monitor the temperature of system components. Having carried out diagnostics with their help, you can find out exactly which of the modules is causing its overheating. But there are also indirect signs that allow you to determine the problem, and they are often more effective.
The hottest components in a laptop run hotter: the processor, hard drive, and graphics card. According to some signs, it is possible to determine what exactly requires increased attention and prevention or repair.
If the laptop suddenly shuts down by itself, especially during complex tasks, then the "culprit" is most likely the processor.
If the laptop is more than two years old, then the thermal paste is likely to dry out. It is used to dissipate heat, protecting the processor from overheating. This is not the most common, but a possible reason, the elimination of which should be entrusted to professionals.
If the laptop often freezes and restarts suddenly, then the problem lies in the video card. It is most likely caused by the general condition of the cooling system, or a malfunction of its own cooler. In the second case, the malfunction is solved either by replacing the fan, or by cleaning it from dust.
If copying and transferring files is slower than usual, the hard drive is likely to overheat. This can be due to poor system layout or cooling problems. In most cases, it is sufficient to clean the dust, but sometimes it can end up replacing the hard drive.
Prevention
There are simple and very effective ways to protect your laptop from overheating that will greatly increase its lifespan.
1. Cleaning from dust. We have already mentioned this important measure and it is not by chance that it is the first in the list. It is important to dry clean as often as possible, at least once every two months.
2. Use on hard surfaces. The best place to use your laptop is on your desk. There is a high chance of blocking the ventilation holes when he is lying on his lap or on the bed, so this is best avoided if possible.
3. Using a cooling pad. They are sold in almost any electronics store and are very effective at cooling the system. They are especially desirable for use with high-performance, gaming laptops.
