To help keep your computer’s operating system neat and tidy, use a top-shelf, free PC cleaner from a reputable provider. You can also try shutting down your device and letting it rest for a few hours.Ĭooling down your computer will also clean up and speed up your PC. The most straightforward way to cool down your PC is to close any programs that consume lots of computing power and push your disk usage up to 100% - namely video editing and gaming software. If your laptop is prone to overheating, try using a cooling pad that blows air upwards into your laptop’s vents. Many laptops have ventilation systems that work by drawing in cool air from the bottom - this is why it’s better to use your laptop on a hard, flat surface. Reapplying thermal paste can be an effective cooling method, especially with older PCs. Unless you’re an expert, find an experienced technician to do this. Thermal paste is located in the PC, so you’ll have to take your device apart to replace it. Thermal paste can dry out over time, especially if you regularly push your PC beyond its natural limits. Thermal paste is a heat-conductive material connecting the CPU or GPU with the metal heat sinks that help dissipate heat to keep your PC cool. Try cleaning your PC, improving its airflow, or replacing the fans. But if your computer’s hot and its fans aren’t working properly or are too loud, it could be a sign that they’re blocked or malfunctioning. If the fans are working, you may only need to wait a short time for your PC to cool down on its own. Rather than store your PC in a cabinet or on a carpet, place it on a hard, firm surface with plenty of space around it. Use a table or lap desk and your computer should cool down.ĭesktop computers also need sufficient airflow to keep cool. Using your laptop on a soft surface such as a bed or couch may block its vents. Your computer’s air vents help prevent overheating by moving cooler air through your device. If you haven’t cleaned your PC in at least six months, your device is overdue for a cleaning.
Removing dust, dirt, and other particles that get into a PC can improve speed, performance, and air flow all at once. Once you’ve identified the causes of the excessive heat, you can figure out what to do next - whether you need to physically clean your PC, improve airflow, or close some browser tabs.Ĭooling your PC can be as easy as simply cleaning it. The best way to cool down your computer is to first figure out why your PC is overheating. Too many applications running at once can cause the fans to go into overdrive, and if this happens too many times, the fans might stop working.
Dust, if left to build up over time, can block the fans and cause the CPU or GPU to overheat. Too many processes and applications running simultaneouslyĬomputer overheating is usually caused by multiple factors. Common reasons why your PC is overheating If your computer is hot but otherwise working fine, give it a break and close the resource-intensive app for a while. If your computer feels hot or the fan gets loud, you may have too many browser tabs open, or you may be doing intensive tasks like playing games, editing multimedia files, or streaming videos online.
This can be extremely damaging to both software and hardware, and most PCs have components in place for heat dispersion and ventilation to prevent overheating. All electronics are prone to overheating.