Laptop Overheating and Shutting Down

Summary

Some laptops may overheat during use, causing the system to slow down, show fan noise, or unexpectedly shut down. Overheating can damage internal components if not addressed.

Common Symptoms

Laptop feels very hot to the touch.
Loud or continuous fan noise.
System performance slows down.
Laptop shuts down automatically after prolonged use.

Possible Causes

Dust and dirt buildup blocking air vents or fans.
Running resource-heavy applications for long periods.
Faulty cooling fan or thermal paste degradation.
Laptop used on soft surfaces (bed, sofa) that block ventilation.

Troubleshooting Steps

Check Ventilation
- Place the laptop on a flat, hard surface to allow proper airflow.
- Avoid using the laptop on pillows, blankets, or soft surfaces.
Clean Air Vents
- Use compressed air to blow dust from cooling vents and fans.
- If possible, ask IT Support to clean internally.
Monitor Resource Usage
- Open Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac).
- Close unnecessary applications consuming high CPU/GPU usage.
Update BIOS and Drivers
- Ensure the latest BIOS and hardware drivers are installed.
- Check vendor support website for updates.
Check Fan Functionality
- Listen for fan activity when the laptop is under load.
- If the fan is not spinning or making unusual noise, report to IT Support.

Next Steps

If overheating persists, raise a ticket with IT Service Desk. Provide:
- Laptop brand & model
- When the issue occurs (e.g., during gaming, video calls, or heavy workload)
- Any error or shutdown messages

Notes

Using a laptop cooling pad can help reduce temperature.
Prolonged overheating may cause hardware damage; immediate action is recommended.