Why Does My Gaming Laptop Get So Hot?

If you’re a gamer, you know that gaming laptops can get blazing hot. But why is that? And what can be done to fix it? In this blog post, we will answer those questions and more. We’ll take a look at the different reasons why gaming laptops get so hot, and we’ll provide some tips on how to keep your machine cool. So if you’re having problems with your gaming laptop overheating, read on!

How To Know If Your Gaming Laptop Is Overheating

The first step in solving any problem is identifying that there is a problem in the first place. So how can you tell if your laptop is overheating? There are a few signs to look for:

  • Your machine runs slower than usual
  • It emits an unusual noise, such as a loud fan or clicking noises
  • The bottom of your laptop is very hot to the touch
  • The computer shuts down without any notice
  • Decreased gaming performance

Performance issues are the most common sign that something is wrong with your machine. If you notice that games that used to run smoothly are now lagging or programs are taking longer to load, it could be a sign of overheating. Another telltale sign is if your laptop starts making strange noises. If you hear loud fans or clicking sounds, it’s time to take action.

You should also be on the lookout for physical signs of overheating. If the bottom of your laptop is too hot to touch or the computer shuts down without any notice, these are both causes for concern.

The Difference Between Overheating and It Just Being Hot

It’s important to note that not all laptop heat is bad. In fact, most laptops run a little bit hot. This is normal and usually isn’t anything to worry about. The problem arises when your PC starts getting too hot – this can cause damage to the hardware and lead to other issues.

So how can you tell if your laptop is just a little too toasty or if it’s actually overheating?

Overheating occurs when your computer’s internal temperature exceeds its normal safe limits. Check the laptop’s manual to see the ideal temperature range. If your computer is regularly hitting or exceeding this number, then it’s overheating. This can damage the CPU, graphics card, and other important components.

Most Common Reasons a Gaming Laptop is Overheating

The most common reasons are:

Dust buildup: Over time, dust can accumulate inside your laptop and block the airflow vents. This makes it harder for the heat to escape, causing your laptop to overheat.

Poor ventilation: If your laptop is placed on a surface that doesn’t allow for proper ventilation (like a bed or couch), it will trap the heat and cause the computer to overheat.

Broken fan: A broken, clogged or shut off fan can stop your laptop from cooling down, leading to overheating.

Graphics card issue: If the graphics card isn’t working properly, it can generate excess heat and cause your laptop to malfunction.

Software issues: Occasionally, a software issue (like a process that’s hogging resources) can cause your laptop to overheat.

Old Battery: If your gaming laptop is getting hot, it might be time to replace the battery. An old battery can overheat and cause damage to your computer.

Dried Out Thermal Paste: The thermal paste between the CPU and GPU can dry out over time, causing your laptop to overheat.

Laptop processor

How Hot Should A Gaming Laptop Get?

Now that we know some of the reasons why gaming laptops get so hot, let’s look at what is considered a safe temperature range:

Most gaming laptop manufacturers recommend keeping your device between 35 and 45 degrees Celsius (95 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit) when idle. When gaming, the temperature range is usually between 60 and 80 degrees Celsius (140 and 176 degrees Fahrenheit). If the temperatures reach above or below these ranges, it is time to take some corrective action.

Most gaming laptops will start to throttle when they reach temperatures above these ranges, meaning that it will not run as fast as it is supposed to. You may notice your laptop’s fans spinning faster or the frame rate of your game dropping. In extreme cases, the PC may shut itself down to prevent any damage to the internal components.

How To Prevent Gaming Notebooks From Overheating

Cleaning a laptop

There are a few things you can do to help prevent your gaming laptop from overheating:

Clean the Fans: Keep the fans clean and free of dust buildup.

Replace the Thermal Paste: If your laptop is more than two years old, you might want to consider replacing the thermal paste.

Monitor Temperature Levels: Use a program like HWMonitor or CoreTemp to monitor your laptop’s temperature levels. If you see the temperatures getting too high, you can take action.

Change Fan Speed Settings: You can usually change the fan speed settings in your laptop’s BIOS or UEFI. Increasing the fan speed can help reduce the laptop’s temperature.

Check for Software Issues: Close any unneeded programs and make sure that your antivirus is up-to-date.

Check for viruses and malware:  If you think that a virus or malware might be causing your laptop to overheat, you can use a program like Malwarebytes to scan your system.

Clean the Laptop: Dust and other debris can build up inside the laptop and cause it to overheat. You can clean laptops with a compressed air duster or by using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.

Consider where you use your laptop: If you’re using your laptop on a soft surface like a bed or pillow, the airflow can be restricted and cause it to overheat, so make sure you’re using it on a flat and hard surface.

How To Keep It Cool:

Now that you know how to prevent the laptop from overheating, let’s look at ways to keep it cool:

Use a laptop cooler: A laptop cooler can help keep your laptop cool by dissipating the heat. There are various types of laptop coolers available, so you can find one that best suits your needs.

Keep the vents clear: Make sure that there is plenty of airflow around your laptop and that nothing is blocking the vents.

Keep your room cool: The temperature of your room can also affect how hot your laptop gets, so try to keep the room cool.

Control the fan speed: Many laptops have a built-in fan control, so you can adjust the fan speed to help keep it cool.

Monitor your laptop: Keep an eye on your laptop to ensure that it isn’t getting too hot. If you notice that it is getting hot, take steps to cool it down.

What To Do If Your Laptops Is Warm?

If your laptop is warm, there are a few things you can do to cool it down:

Close any resource-intensive programs: If your notebook computer is hot, there’s a good chance that it is because you have a lot of programs running. Close any programs that are not essential to help keep the temperatures low.

Make sure it has proper airflow:  Make sure that your laptop is in an area where it has proper airflow. If its surrounded by other objects, it will be harder for the fan to cool it down.

Use a cooling pad: A cooling pad can help to keep your laptop cool by providing extra ventilation.

Monitor temperatures: Use a program like HWMonitor to monitor the temperatures of your laptop. If you see it going from just being hot to overheating, take action to prevent damage.

What To Do If Your Laptop Gets Too Hot?

If your laptop starts to get too hot, there are a few things that you can do to cool it down:

Shut down the computer: The first thing you should do is shut down the computer. This will help to prevent any further damage from happening.

Remove the battery: If you are able to, remove the battery from the laptop. This will help to cool it down faster.

Place the laptop on a cooling pad: A cooling pad can help to dissipate heat and cool down notebooks.

Do a proper cleaning: Once it’s plugged out and cooled down, take a can of compressed air and blow out any dust that has accumulated in the vents.

If your laptop is still getting too hot, you may need to take it in for repairs to a professional or get a new laptop.

Conclusion

Gaming laptops are notorious for getting hot. But why does this happen, and what can you do to cool it down? The most common reasons a gaming laptop gets hot are dust buildup, poor ventilation, broken fans, software issues, and dried-out thermal paste.

If your laptop is overheating, try using a cooling pad to dissipate the heat. Cooling pads do work, something you can read all about in this post. You can also do a proper cleaning by blowing out any dust accumulated in the vents with compressed air. You can also close any unnecessary resource-intensive programs and make sure your drivers are up-to-date.

Hopefully, this article has helped you understand why your gaming laptop gets so hot and how to fix the issue. Stay cool!