We love our laptops. We use them day in, day out — for everything from work to entertainment. But all that impressive power your laptop uses can put it at risk of overheating. Especially if it’s an older model that’s done a lot of heavy lifting over the last few years.

That’s why in this article, we'll dive into the reasons why laptops overheat and the potential dangers. But most importantly, we’ll provide top tips on how to keep your laptop cool!

Why does a laptop overheat?

A laptop can overheat when its cooling system struggles to circulate heat around properly. When that happens, internal components can reach temperatures beyond their effective operating range.

This can happen for a number of reasons. The most common culprits are poor airflow, exposure to high temperatures, and dust accumulating around your laptop’s internal components. Hardware malfunctions like dodgy fans or dried-out thermal paste can be causes too.

Tech tip: Read our guide on how to apply thermal paste to your CPU to keep your computer running cool.

Dangers of your laptop overheating

A laptop running too hot can cause permanent damage to sensitive components, system instability, data corruption, and even complete hardware failure. Yikes. Even if things don’t get that bad, high temperatures can significantly reduce the lifespan of your laptop.

How to know if your laptop is overheating

There are some obvious signs that’ll tell you if your laptop’s overheating. One is if it feels unusually hot to the touch. Another is if your laptop’s fan is running at maximum speed. Or if you hear loud and persistent whirring noises, experience sudden slowdowns, or unexpected shutdowns.

How to monitor laptop temperature

To prevent any laptop overheating issues, it's wise to keep an eye on its temperature. And the cool news is, there are temperature monitoring programs to help you do just that.

Tools like Real Temp, GPU-Z, Speccy, HWMonitor, and Core Temp all provide real-time temperature readings for various components in your laptop. Check them out, and choose the one that suits you best. You’ll then have exactly what you need to stay ahead of overheating issues.

How to keep your laptop cool

Here are six tips that’ll help keep your laptop cool and reduce the risk of it overheating:

• Buy a laptop cooling stand: These are designed to elevate your laptop slightly to allow for improved airflow underneath. Many cooling pads also have additional fans that help dissipate heat even more efficiently.

• Use your laptop on flat surfaces: Try and work on a hard, flat desk or table so your laptop's cooling system can function properly. Avoid using your laptop on soft surfaces like your bed or your lap, as they can obstruct the air vents and cause heat to build inside.

• Clean your laptop’s air vents: Specks of dust and debris can clog your laptop's air vents, preventing them from cooling down internal components. Use a can of compressed air with a nozzle attachment to blow out dust and food crumbs. Just make sure you power off your laptop first.

• Keep your laptop out of the heat: Avoid using your laptop in hot places, such as outside in direct sunlight. Ideally, you should use your laptop in a cool and well-ventilated room.

• Use the original charger: It’s best to stick with the charger that came with your laptop so it receives the right amount of power. If you use a third-party charger that hasn’t been approved by your laptop’s manufacturer, it could lead to increased heat generation and potential hardware issues.

• Close unnecessary apps: Running lots of apps and processes at the same time can put strain on your laptop and lead to overheating. To avoid this, close down anything you're not actively using.

Tech tip: You can also adjust your laptop's power settings to prioritise energy efficiency and lower heat output.

Need more help?

If you’re thinking in investing in a new laptop, check out our laptop buying guide. If you’d like to talk to an expert, pop in-store and chat to one of our colleagues. When you’ve made your choice, we’ve got some great advice on getting started with your new laptop or desktop.