The joys of laptops!
Easy to transport when traveling, practical, light and versatile machines that we can’t get enough of. Laptops are becoming extremely popular and for good reason; however, the maintenance and repair cost for laptop problems is more expensive than desktop computers.
Today, we will discuss the biggest disadvantage laptops have, compared to desktop computers … OVERHEATING! Many people have problems with their laptops shutting down unexpectedly, randomly rebooting, “Blue Screen” (BSOD), getting extremely hot to the touch, and more.
When people experience those symptoms, many mistake them for: spyware, driver problems, viruses, and more. The GOOD thing is that I will teach you how to prevent your laptop from overheating, so if you ever experience any of the aforementioned problems, you will know that HEAT will not be the cause!
Laptops are smaller than desktops, so they have much less space to cool. The cooling fans are usually located near the bottom center of the laptop, causing the heat from the cooling fans to escape from the bottom of the computer.
This explains why your lap gets “hot” or “hot” when a laptop sits on it for long periods of time. That actually contributes to your laptop overheating. Lay your laptop on any “cloth” surface, such as bedspreads, clothing, carpet, etc; it can cause insufficient heat dissipation and can cause your laptop to overheat. Again, an overheating laptop can shut down, randomly reboot, blue screen, and / or cause permanent and costly hardware damage.
Here are some tips to avoid overheating:
1.) Use a “laptop cooling pad”.
These little devices connect to your laptop via USB and contain upward-pointing fans on your laptop’s vents, helping to cool down the CPU. The lap is a significant heat producer as the vents are blocked at the bottom of the computer, while the laptop rests on your lap. That, in turn, causes much of the heat to be redirected to the computer, rather than blowing out the vents. Laptop cooling pads work well to keep your laptop from overheating, but they also work great to keep your lap cool!
2.) Buy a can of “compressed air”.
These cans can be found in virtually any large chain store; Walmart, Target, Radio Shack, etc. Place the “straw” in the can. Next, turn your laptop over and blow compressed air into the vents.
Keep pressing the nozzle to let the air escape, while moving the can in a circular motion to clean out any dust, debris, slow, or any other foreign objects that may be obstructing the airflow or cooling process. Do this regularly, at least once every 1-2 months.
3.) Remove the battery from your laptop when it is plugged into a power outlet.
This will help preserve battery life and prevent excessive heat build-up that occurs as you continue to charge your laptop battery after it has been fully charged. Since the battery is a conductor of heat, it is useful to remove it when it is fully charged.
4.) Avoid exposing your laptop to direct sunlight, high temperatures for long periods.
Remember this statement at a minimum: “When it comes to computer components, heat KILLS!”
5.) Make sure your cooling fan works at all times!
If it is “clogged” or makes “strange and unusual” noises, have it checked immediately. Cooling fans cool the CPU and remove heat from the computer. The image to the left shows an exposed cooling fan assembly, after the laptop has been “taken apart.” This is necessary when replacing or repairing a laptop fan. The CPU must remain cool at all times. Without a CPU, your computer is nothing more than a lap anchor!
Well, I hope this article helps to end your laptop overheating frustration. If you have a newer or newer computer and it works like new, this will help keep it running that way.
Happy Computing!