All machines experience wear and tear with time. One of the most common signs of an aging laptop is overheating. Sadly, many people don’t know how to handle this and just let it be. This could damage the laptop’s motherboard in the long run. Thankfully it’s a problem that can be easily fixed by following these simple guidelines.
Blocked Vents
Find out exactly where the heat is emanating from. Laptops expel hot air from the outflow vent when running. The intake vent draws in cool air. Check to see if these vents are blocked with dust. If so, clean them out using a blower. If the panels are easily removable, unscrew them and get the fan out. This allows for more effective cleaning. Remember to turn off the machine before this procedure.
Dying Battery
If you constantly use the laptop while plugged in, this reduces the battery’s shelf life. Dying/ dead batteries generate excess heat. Replace the battery only with a genuine one from the manufacturer. If you can’t find a replacement, remove the dead battery completely and use the laptop as you would a PC.
Work Surface
As we saw in the previous article, using laptops on a soft surface obstructs air flow through the vents. This causes overheating since hot air pools at the base of the machine. Avoid working from your bed. Better still, invest in a cooling pad.
Check The Hard Drive
A dusty drive could be the culprit behind overheating. Get a technician to clean under the processor and RAM doors. A laptop without compartments at the bottom requires the back to be taken off completely for this kind of cleaning.
