Laptop Overheating? Some Useful Hints to Prevent It

Prevent Your Laptop from Cooking Itself

By Jason Freeden, published Jul 13, 2005
Published Content: 116  Total Views: 345,840  Favorited By: 43 CPs
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  This is a very common problem in computers.  Even though this happened a lot more back then, it still happens now, especially in laptops.  PC's have more space to provide airflow so they do not have this problem as much, but with Laptops, it is an ongoing thing that needs to be prevented in order to keep the machine in good health.  Many people use there laptops for business, school, and entertainment.  Many people put there laptops in bags so they do not have to carry them in there arms.  Many people like to get comfy and place there laptop on there bed or any soft surface.  These are all hazards that need to be advised so you don't further damage your computer.  Overheating is probably the number one problem people face when buying a laptop.  They wonder why there laptop shut off, of froze up.  They wonder why they turn it back on and it shuts off or freezes again.  Well first off if you were hot and passed out and someone tried to wake you back up you wouldn't want to wake up...  You would want to stay down and cool off.  Same with a computer.  Usually the first thing people do when they first take there laptop out from the box is turn it on correct?  Then they start playing around with the many features it has.  After they have figured out the kinks and everything the laptop has to offer they like to find a nice comfortable place to put it.  This is where the problems all start.  Usually in your manual you will find a section stated "What not to do with your laptop".  This should be read by everyone.  Number one.  Do not place your laptop on a soft surface nor a surface where it blocks the airflow of the machine.  What this basically means is when a laptop is placed on the ground it has half inch rubber legs that allow the laptop to get enough airflow to breath.  If you place it on a bed or couch it is not getting the airflow it needs and cooks itself.  If it cooks itself then it will either shut off automatically or freeze.  People panic right away when this happens but shouldn't because usually if this is happening the first time or the first few times it means the computer reached a temperature higher than it's core temperature and shut off to prevent damage to the hardware.  If the person misuses his or her's common sense and turns it back on while still on the bed, then the damage could be massive.  Usually though for the first five minutes or so if you try and turn the computer back on the computer will shut back down because it is too hot inside.  As I said back in the first paragraph if you are too hot you wouldn't want to move any more until you're all cooled off, well this is the same with a computer.  Normal core temperatures in laptops should range between 35 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees Celsius, give or take a couple degrees.  If this reaches anything higher than your in danger.  Normally 55 degrees Celsius is the problem point.  Of course the cooler your computer is the better, as the lowest I have ever really witnessed in a laptop was 24 degrees Celsius and that was in a very cold room.  There is enough heat inside the laptop to maintain a strong enough heated environment.  Number two DO NOT place the laptop in the bag while on.  This will also cause overheating and damage to the screen.  When the monitor is on and it is facing the keyboard it will make the keys very hot and the hardware under the keyboard will fry.  If this happens bring the computer in a very cool room and let it sit while turned off.   I am a computer technician myself and have gotten many overheated machines.  There is not much to do with fried machines except replacing the parts.  If the motherboard is fried than your in bad shape, because that is the main part of the computer, and normally in a laptop you can't normally fix a motherboard.  It is just better to buy a new machine as the price would come close to that of replacing the motherboard.  Laptops have two or three air vents at the bottom and normally two on the sides or back.  These air vents need to be able to breath at all times otherwise the computer will get hotter and hotter.  Just remember those two facts and your computer should be in great shape.  Computers have made big improvements in the technology field but there are still those problems that need to be looked out for.  There is no perfect computer and something will always happen if proper care isn't provided.  The hardware which is inside the computer usually have fans to cool them off, but if there is no air getting inside the fans can't work any harder than they are, so you play a big part in helping those fans.

Takeaways
  • Overheating can damage your machine.
  • Let the air flow in and out of the laptop to prevent overheating.
  • Laptops are sensitive to the heat and need to be cared for.
Did You Know?
Laptops can reach tempertures as high as 120, 130, even 140 degrees F.
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Comments
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thanks for the article .. my laptop was SCREAMING and now i see why it does that when i use it in bed ...

Posted on 05/14/2008 at 8:05:23 AM

 
I use a fan - works very well.

Posted on 04/20/2008 at 3:04:50 PM

 
hy everyone... I have a problem with ym laptop... it have some nice year behind and in the past time have some over headding problems.. mine is one celeron at 2,2gh and get a little bit hot.. untill he stophimself.. I did clean his coolers and change the termal liquid form cpu...yeah it works a little bit better... I even get 3dmark 2000 to finish.. but it sitll have problems.. if I try to get him at real work in few second get over 70 celsius and turn off... he is on a table and a lot space for air income and out.... I start locking for overclock places to make him form 2,2 to 1,6 :) maybe will work better... I dont know actualy what I can do.. or maybe if u guys know any shop with better cooling sistem for laptops...

Posted on 04/16/2008 at 2:04:00 AM

 
An extremely easy way to fix the Laptop Overheating problem. I just did it yesterday to both of my Toshiba Satellite laptops. Both were getting hot and one of them, A15-S1292, was actually shutting down randomly. I used a HOUSEHOLD Vacuum and placed it at the exhaust port and let it suck for about 30 seconds !!! THAT IS IT !!! It computer ran very cold, like when new, and never shut down !!! Try it ... 30 seconds ... no screws to remove or anything else !!! Instant results.

Posted on 04/10/2008 at 9:04:14 AM

 
Thank you , thank you whoever wrote the article , i had my laptop resting on my couch and it was just burning up now ive put it on the coffee table and the problems gone!!!

Posted on 04/02/2008 at 4:04:42 PM

 
Oh wowee Thanks SO much for this article. I have a HP Pavilion dv20000 I got it in November so it's still pretty new. I lovee it :) But recently the screen has been turning off, my music may still be playing and the lights are on but I can't do anything so I end up holding the power button then turning it on again. I always have it on my bed you see..and then I guess it overheats and makes it's poor noises. I hope I havn't damaged it too much..It's done it about 10 times now :S

Posted on 04/02/2008 at 7:04:22 AM

 
This article was so useful! im such a numbnut.. i have my laptop on my lap, so of course its going to overheat and shut down.. must take better care of this thing!

Posted on 03/12/2008 at 10:03:02 AM

 
my macbook runs normally at 60-80C and often borderlines 100C when pushed hard. apple says this is normal operating temperature. it burns my lap to use, and there is only ONE vent on it: the back rear 1/2 covered by the display bezel. is this normal?

Posted on 01/08/2008 at 12:01:20 AM

 
I dont remember laptops back in 05 when this was written, but dont the screens shut-off automatically when you close them, regardless if their still on? My laptop is a 06 compaq with 1.2 celeron and 512RAM, not a gaming laptop or nothing, just for my schoolwork. When i shut my laptop when it is on, it goes into hibernation mode or stand-by mode.

Posted on 11/27/2007 at 5:11:00 AM

 
BUY A DESKTOP

Posted on 08/21/2007 at 12:08:00 AM

 
this happens to my laptop a lot, laptop companies really should make some kind of outer battrey insted of having it under the laptop.

Posted on 08/16/2007 at 1:08:00 AM

 
I needed to know how can i prevent my computer from heat.

Posted on 08/15/2007 at 5:08:00 AM

 
Laptop manufacturers seriously do need to do something about this. I'm using a Centrino Duo processor inside a 12.1 inch widescreen casing- VERY SMALL! I was using it on a table where air could easily get in, and the temp ended up at... 80 degrees C!!!!!! It hadn't shut down at all; I rectified that immediately.

Posted on 08/03/2007 at 1:08:00 PM

 
Well, it has been one hell of a ride that's for sure. But I have gotten compliments on the website for being one of the more elite writers. So let me tell you all who are bashing my articles, that anyone can change. I take pride in my work. The paragraphs weren't implemented because the editor wasn't working at the time, so it kinda budged everything in at once. I have emailed Associated Content to fix this problem so that these articles will be edited. Thanks everyone!

Posted on 06/23/2007 at 12:06:00 AM

 
unfortunately i have to put ice on my laptop while it's on the desk to prevent overheating. I can't watch Utube without is becoming scolding hot...

Posted on 06/13/2007 at 7:06:00 PM

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