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Laptop Overheating? Try These 5 Ways to Cool It Down

Prevent laptop damage by keeping it cool

By Melanie Uy Melanie Uy Writer Queens College Harvard University Extension School Former Lifewire writer Melanie Uy has 5+ years' experience writing about consumer-oriented technology and is an expert telecommuter. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 16, 2020 Reviewed by Lisa Mildon Reviewed by Lisa Mildon Southern New Hampshire University Lisa Mildon is a Lifewire writer and an IT professional with 30 years of experience. Her writing has appeared in Geekisphere and other publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Tablets Android Amazon Laptops naturally run warm because of their shape and size. However, if they stay hot for prolonged periods, they can overheat, slow down, or become permanently damaged. Whether or not you're experiencing the warning signs and dangers of an overheated laptop, you can follow these simple and inexpensive precautions below to keep your computer cool and in working condition.

Keeping Your Laptop Cool

We've found the following steps can bring down the internal temperature of an old and dangerously hot laptop from 181° Fahrenheit (83° Celsius) to 106° F (41° C)—a difference of 41 percent after one hour of using the active laptop cooling pad and bringing the room temperature down to 68 degrees. Beyond these approaches, watch for in-the-moment problems that aren't indicative of an environmental issue but which nevertheless can adversely affect your laptop. Perhaps the most significant contributor to temporary overheating is putting the computer in your lap, cushioned by insulators like blankets that both trap heat and block fans. 01 of 05

Power Settings

Change your laptop's power settings from High Performance to a Balanced or Power Saver plan. This tweak will tell the system only to use the power required to run your applications rather than always using the maximum processor speed. If you need to play games or other intensive work, you can switch back to the high-performance plan as required. 02 of 05

Compressed Air

Use dust remover spray to clean the laptop's vents. Dust accumulates in the laptop's fan vents—a problem quickly solved with a can of compressed air, usually less than $10. Turn off your computer and spray the vent to remove the dust. How to Clean a Laptop Fan 03 of 05

Laptop Cooling Pad

Use a laptop cooling pad that has fans. Laptop pads have vents that can increase the airflow around your laptop, but a fan is the best way to go for more substantial cooling needs. The Belkin F5L055 can be found for less than $30 and is a reliable solution, but many other options are available. 04 of 05

Room Temperature

Keep your working environment or computer room as comfortably cool as possible. Computers, like most people, work much better in air-conditioned environments. According to Server Fault, most server rooms or data centers operate at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or less, and that seems like an ideal temperature recommendation for home offices as well. 05 of 05

Power Down

Shut down your computer when it's not in use, especially when you are not at home. The last thing you need when you get home is to find out your laptop is a fire hazard—one of the dangers of overheating laptops. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Keep Your Phone or Laptop From Overheating The 8 Best Laptop Cooling Pads of 2022 How to Keep Your Phone and Laptop Cool How to Fix a CPU Fan Error How to Fix it When Your PS4 Is Overheating How to Fix 'No Battery Is Detected' on Your Laptop How to Physically Clean Your Laptop How to Clean a Laptop Fan Signs and Dangers of Laptops Overheating 11 Best Ways to Keep Your Computer Cool HAVIT 5 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad Review: Keeping Your Laptop Cool With Five Adjustable Fans How to Store and Maintain Your Game Systems How to Clean a Wireless Mouse Laptop Computer Safety How to Make Your Cellphone Battery Last Longer How to Overclock a Laptop Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies