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Although many people are starting to make the switch to tablets and mobile devices, others still use their laptops for a variety of activities. Whether you turn on your laptop to browse the Internet, answer emails, or watch movies, it’s important to be aware of your device’s temperature, as laptops are prone to overheating. When your laptop reaches a very high temperature and begins to overheat, it not only presents a fire hazard, but also it puts you at an increased risk of burning yourself.

Although these risks may not be as high as the risk of a car accident for instance, they can happen. In fact, in 2007, one homeowner’s house burned down after it was determined that his laptop, battery, or cord malfunctioned and likely caused the fire about 15 minutes after he left the house. In 2010, Sony recalled about 233,000 VAIO laptops because of potential burn hazards.

To protect yourself from potential accidents and injuries like these, use the following information to help you identify the signs that your laptop is overheating, as well as the steps you can take to cool down your machine.

Signs of Laptops Overheating

  • laptops overheatingYour laptop’s fan is constantly running at its maximum speed, producing an audible whirring noise
  • The machine’s performance has slowed and your computer struggles to perform basic tasks like opening a webpage. Sometimes your laptop will freeze altogether.
  • An error message may pop up warning you that your laptop’s temperature has exceeded its maximum temperature
  • Lines begin to appear across the screen
  • Your laptop shuts down unexpectedly. This is most likely your computer’s fail safe software triggering a shut down to prevent damage to the hardware.

Now that you’re familiar with the signs of laptop overheating, below are several of the measures you can take to cool down your laptop and prevent it from overheating again in the future.

Laptop Overheating Solutions: How to Cool Down Your Laptop

  • Clean out your laptop’s vents. If your computer hasn’t already shut down on its own, be sure to turn it off before attempting to clean the machine. Then, open your laptop and spray its vents with a dust remover spray to rid the fan vents of dust that has likely accumulated and blocked these vents. MakeUseOf.com offers additional tips for cleaning different parts of your laptop, like the exhaust port and intake grills, if you’re looking to complete a more extensive cleaning.
  • Move your laptop to a hard, flat surface. Considering that most laptops take in cool air through the bottom, placing your computer on an uneven surface like a couch, pillow or blanket can prevent this flow of cool air. Not only will this cause heat to build up within the laptop, but placing your computer atop flammable materials like a blanket or stack of papers also increases the risk of a fire. However, it is called a “laptop” for a reason, and if you prefer to use your laptop on your lap, you can help reduce the risk of it overheating by purchasing and using a laptop holder or stand.
  • Check your computer’s power settings. If set to “high performance,” adjust the settings to the “power saver” option, preventing your laptop from constantly using its maximum processer speed. By changing this setting, your computer will only use the power it requires to run your programs. You always have the option to switch back, so if you find that your computer is not performing optimally for the work you need to complete, just adjust the setting accordingly.
  • Purchase a cooling pad for your laptop. Cooling pads are portable, inexpensive, and will provide your laptop with additional cooling to help prevent it from overheating. If your laptop takes in air from the bottom, it’s best to invest in a cooling pad with fans that blow cool air upward into your computer.
  • Whether using your computer at home or work, try to keep the room temperature below 70 degrees Fahrenheit and always shut down your laptop when it is not in use. On a hot summer day, computers, like people, will function much more effectively in an air conditioned environment. In addition, shutting down your laptop when not in use will improve its battery life and decrease the risk of a fire occurring while you are away from your home or business.

When it comes to laptops overheating, there are many precautions you can take to protect yourself and the life of your computer. For additional safety tips, please subscribe to our blog or contact us.