Your Laptop’s Too Hot, And These 8 Habits Are the Reason Why

Your Laptop’s Too Hot, And These 8 Habits Are the Reason Why16 May 2025 at 21:50Is your laptop overheating? Discover 8 common mistakes you’re making and learn quick fixes to keep your device cool and running smoothly.Why Your Laptop Is Overheating: Common Mistakes and FixesLaptops can be unpredictable. One minute you’re browsing peacefully, the next, it sounds like your laptop’s about to take off. You touch it, and whew, it’s hotter than freshly baked bread. Do not panic or assume your laptop is about to break down completely. Oftentimes, the reason your laptop is overheating has more to do with you than the machine itself.

Whether you’re a student, a remote worker, a gamer, a designer, or just someone who uses a laptop to watch Netflix, this article will show you all the ways you’re unknowingly contributing to your device overheating and how to stop.

When your laptop gets too hot to touch or starts acting funny, like slowing down, crashing randomly, or making weird fan noises, that’s your laptop saying, “I can’t breathe!”

Every laptop has a built-in cooling system: vents, fans, and heat sinks. These components work together to prevent the internal components, such as your CPU and GPU, from reaching temperatures that could cause damage.

Once it overheats consistently, expect performance issues, shorter battery life, and, eventually, permanent damage. Think of a dead motherboard, a fried processor, or melted components. And let’s not even get into how expensive those repairs can be.

READ ALSO:  How to Keep Your Laptop Battery Healthy for Years

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Signs Your Laptop Is OverheatingIf you’re unsure if your laptop is overheating, here are the red flags:

Loud fan noise (like it’s trying to fly away)

Hot to the touch (especially near the vents or under the keyboard)

Lagging or freezing

Random shutdowns

Blue screen errors

Battery draining fast

Why Is Your Laptop Overheating?1. You’re Using It on Your Bed.It’s comfy, we know. Nothing like binge-watching YouTube with your laptop perched on a pillow, right? But your laptop is suffocating under there.

Most laptops have vents underneath or to the side. When you place it on a soft surface, such as a bed, blanket, or pillow, you block those vents. It’s like trying to breathe through a pillow. Eventually, it starts to overheat.

Fix it:

Use a hard surface. A tray, a laptop stand, or even a hardcover book.

A better option is investing in a cooling pad. It’s a cost-effective solution with a significant impact.

2. You Haven’t Cleaned It Since You Bought ItIf you’ve had your laptop for more than a year and you’ve never opened it or cleaned it, guess what? It’s probably full of dust bunnies, pet hair, and crumbs from that one time you had suya at your desk.

Dust clogs your fans and vents, preventing airflow and causing your system to overheat faster.

Fix it:

Blow out the vents with compressed air (you can find these in computer shops).

If you’re comfortable opening it up (and your warranty has expired), gently clean out the fans with a soft brush.

Otherwise, take it to a tech professional for a cleaning.

3. You’re Running Heavy Programs All at OnceAre you running Google Chrome with 42 tabs open, editing videos in Premiere Pro, playing music in the background, AND on a Zoom call, all at the same time?

Your laptop is struggling, especially if you’re using a basic or mid-range device.

Heavy tasks, such as gaming, video editing, 3D rendering, or running multiple virtual machines, demand a significant amount of power. This causes your CPU and GPU to work harder, generating more heat.

Fix it:

Close unused apps and browser tabs.

Use Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) to kill unnecessary background processes.

Upgrade your RAM or consider a more powerful laptop if you frequently perform resource-intensive tasks.

READ ALSO: How to Choose the Right Laptop Before Buying

4. You’re Blocking the Vents, Even on a DeskYou might be thinking, “But I use my laptop on a desk!” But is that desk cluttered? Are you placing books, files, or your handbag near the vents?

Vents are usually at the back, sides, or bottom. Blocking any of these, even a little, disrupts airflow and traps heat inside.

Fix it:

Make sure the vents are clear.

Elevate the back of your laptop slightly to improve airflow. A laptop stand or even two bottle caps can help.

Keep your workspace tidy.

Try something like this foldable Laptop Stand. It props your laptop up at an angle, improves airflow underneath, and also saves your neck from that awkward bend. It’s like giving your laptop a little breathing space… and some dignity.

Price: $24.99  Where To Buy: Shop Amazon

5. You’re Using a Generic or Faulty ChargerUsing the charger that came with your old laptop, or worse, a random “universal charger” from a roadside vendor, affects your device. This can damage your battery and disrupt your power supply, leading to overheating.

Chargers do more than plug in; they regulate power. The wrong one might be overloading your system.

Fix it:

Always use the original charger or a high-quality replacement recommended by your laptop’s manufacturer.

Avoid cheap knockoffs. They’re risky.

6. You’re Not Letting It Sleep or Shut DownYou know that friend who never rests and eventually crashes dramatically? That’s your laptop if you keep putting it in sleep mode 24/7 and never shut it down.

Running your system for weeks without a proper shutdown can cause background processes to pile up, apps to hang, and components to overheat from constant use.

Fix it:

Shut down your laptop at least once every few days. Restarting helps clear the RAM and reset the system.

When not in use, shut it down properly instead of just closing the lid and tossing it into your bag.

7. You’re Not Updating Your SoftwareSystem updates often contain driver upgrades that help your system run more efficiently. If your fan isn’t working properly due to outdated firmware or your apps are buggy, that can also stress your system and cause overheating.

Fix it:

Regularly check for operating system (OS) and driver updates.

Update your BIOS and GPU drivers if you’re into gaming or design work.

Don’t ignore those “update available” notifications, they’re not just there to annoy you.

8. You’ve Ignored Thermal Paste and Fan IssuesYour laptop’s processor has a thin layer of thermal paste that helps transfer heat to the cooling system. Over time, this paste can dry out. If your fan is also faulty or weak, you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

Fix it:

If your laptop is consistently overheating even when you’re not doing heavy work, it might be time to replace the thermal paste and check the fan.

A technician is best suited to handle this unless you’re extremely confident.

This Havit Cooling Pad is a good option for cooling your laptop when it’s overheating. Just place your laptop on it, plug it in, and let the built-in fans do their thing. See it as your laptop’s air conditioner.

Price: ₦23,000  Where To Buy: Shop Jumia

Long-Term Tips to Keep Your Laptop CoolGet a cooling pad. Super helpful, especially for gamers and video editors.

Keep it in a calm environment. Avoid using it in direct sunlight or a hot, unventilated room.

Don’t block airflow in your bag. If you must carry your laptop while it’s still on (not recommended), ensure it has sufficient space to breathe.

Give it breaks. If it’s heating up, shut it down and let it rest, just like you.

In ClosingYour laptop is as important as every other gadget you own regardless of what you use it for. Like your body, it needs care, cleaning, and rest. Most overheating issues can be avoided if you simply stop doing the things on this list.

Next time your laptop sounds like it’s about to explode, come back to this article for tips.

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