Overheating is one of the most damaging problems a laptop can have. It doesn't just slow the machine down — over time it can permanently damage expensive components like the processor or motherboard.
How do I know if my laptop is overheating?
- The fan is loud almost all the time
- The base of the laptop is hot to the touch
- The laptop is slower than usual (thermal throttling)
- It shuts down on its own without warning
- Blue screens (BSOD) appear
Free tools like HWMonitor or Core Temp let you check temperatures in real time. Normal idle temperatures: 35-50°C. Sustained temperatures above 95°C mean a serious problem.
Main causes of overheating
1. Dust build-up in the cooling system
By far the most common cause. The fix is opening the laptop, cleaning the heatsink and renewing the processor's thermal paste.
2. Dried-out or degraded thermal paste
The thermal paste between the processor and heatsink dries out over the years. Renewing it can lower processor temperature by 20-30°C on laptops 4-5 years old or more.
3. A faulty fan
If the fan makes odd noises (rattling, grinding) or has stopped spinning altogether, air stops circulating and temperature spikes. Replacing the fan is relatively inexpensive and the effect is immediate.
4. Using it on surfaces that block airflow
Using a laptop on pillows, blankets or your lap blocks the vents. Always use a hard, flat surface.
The proper fix: cleaning + thermal paste
We do this professionally, with immediate results: laptops that were hitting 95°C typically drop to 65-70°C after a clean. If the fan also needs replacing, we do it in the same visit.