As the UK has experienced record temperatures towards the end of May, we thought this was a good time to remind you what you can do to prevent your laptop or computer overheating – as well as share tips on what to do if it does.
What causes a computer to overheat?
There are various factors that can contribute to your computer overheating, of which the ambient temperature is only one.
Other factors can include a build up of dust in your machine or inadvertently blocking vents if you place your laptop on a soft surface like a sofa (this one applies mostly to laptops).
But the activities you’re carrying out can also have an effect. For instance, running a lot of highly demanding applications at the same time can lead to some components overheating, while outdated drivers on your computer can also mean it doesn’t operate effectively, leading to overheating.
How can you stop your computer from overheating?
Firstly, make sure your computer is located in a well-ventilated spot. If it’s been a while, take the time to clean it. If you’re not confident taking your computer or laptop apart to do this, seek out someone experienced who can carry out home IT repairs near you.
They’ll be able to clean all of the internal components, remove dust and make sure your fan is working as it should.
Another top tip is to ensure that both your drivers and operating system are as up to date as possible. This can optimise your machine’s performance as well as help prevent overheating issues.
The components in your computer most likely to overheat are your CPU and GPU, so you may want to consider installing specialist software to monitor their temperatures. This can help you catch the signs of overheating before your computer shuts down as a result.
