--- title: "How to Fix Laptop Overheating | FixFix Labs" description: "Your laptop gets very hot and may throttle performance or shut down. Step-by-step laptop troubleshooting guide with quick checks and fix instructions." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://fixfixlabs.com/#organization", "name": "FixFix Labs", "url": "https://fixfixlabs.com/", "logo": "https://fixfixlabs.com/emblem.webp", "sameAs": [ "https://facebook.com/fixfixlabs", "https://instagram.com/fixfixlabs", "https://www.tiktok.com/@fixfixlabs.com" ], "alternateName": [ "fixfixlabs", "Fix Fix Labs", "FixFix Labs", "fixfix labs", "fixfixlabs.com", "FixFix Labs Luton" ], "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "159 Marsh Road", "addressLocality": "Luton", "addressRegion": "Bedfordshire", "postalCode": "LU3 2QL", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "areaServed": "GB" }, { "@type": [ "LocalBusiness", "ProfessionalService" ], "@id": "https://fixfixlabs.com/#localbusiness", "name": "FixFix Labs", "alternateName": [ "Repair Zone", "Repair Zone Luton", "FixFix Labs Luton", "FixFix Labs" ], "url": "https://fixfixlabs.com/", "image": "https://fixfixlabs.com/emblem.webp", "telephone": "+441582505020", "email": "support@fixfixlabs.com", "priceRange": "££", "parentOrganization": { "@id": "https://fixfixlabs.com/#organization" }, "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "159 Marsh Road", "addressLocality": "Luton", "addressRegion": "Bedfordshire", "postalCode": "LU3 2QL", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "areaServed": [ "Luton", "Marsh Road", "Bury Park", "Leagrave", "Limbury", "Biscot", "Sundon Park", "Marsh Farm", "Lewsey", "High Town", "Stopsley", "Wigmore", "Farley Hill", "Round Green", "Bramingham", "Dunstable", "Houghton Regis", "Caddington", "Slip End", "Barton-le-Clay" ], "openingHoursSpecification": [ { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday" ], "opens": "10:00", "closes": "18:00" } ], "sameAs": [ "https://facebook.com/fixfixlabs", "https://instagram.com/fixfixlabs", "https://www.tiktok.com/@fixfixlabs.com" ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://fixfixlabs.com/#website", "name": "FixFix Labs", "url": "https://fixfixlabs.com/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://fixfixlabs.com/#organization" }, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://fixfixlabs.com/device-troubleshooting?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://fixfixlabs.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Troubleshooting", "item": "https://fixfixlabs.com/device-troubleshooting" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Laptops Guides", "item": "https://fixfixlabs.com/device-troubleshooting#laptop" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Laptop Overheating", "item": "https://fixfixlabs.com/device-troubleshooting/laptop-overheating" } ] } ] --- [![FixFix Labs](/assets/fixfix-logo-Dj0uNxZh.webp)](/) [Troubleshooting](/device-troubleshooting) [Luton Repairs](/repair) [Repair by Post](/mail-in-repair)[Track Repair](/track) [Custom PCs](/custom-builds) [Sign In](/login)[Start Diagnosis](/diagnosis) [](tel:01582505020) [01582 505020](tel:01582505020) 1. [All Guides](/device-troubleshooting) 2. [Laptops](/device-troubleshooting?category=laptop#problems) 3. Laptop Overheating Laptops thermal # Laptop Overheating ## Quick Answer Laptop overheating is very common and usually caused by dust-clogged vents, demanding applications, or poor ventilation. Chronic overheating can damage components. Please note: This guide is provided for informational purposes only. Any steps you choose to follow are at your own discretion and risk. If you're unsure, we recommend booking a professional diagnosis. Line illustration of an open laptop with diagnostic reference markings, overlaid with a thermal contour lines across the chassis Laptop — illustration On this page - [Quick Checks](#quick-checks-heading) - [Guided Troubleshooting](#diagnostic-heading) - [Possible Causes](#possible-causes-heading) - [Self-Fix Instructions](#self-fix-heading) - [Safety Warnings](#warnings-heading) - [When troubleshooting isn't enough](#next-steps-heading) ## Quick Checks Try these fast checks first — they solve most cases. 1. Check the vents Ensure air vents are not blocked by blankets, cushions, or your lap. 2. Use on a hard flat surface Soft surfaces block airflow. Use a desk or laptop stand. 3. Clean the vents Use compressed air to blow dust out of the vents. 4. Close intensive applications Check Task Manager for CPU-heavy processes. 5. Reduce screen brightness Lower brightness reduces heat from the display. ## Guided Troubleshooting Answer these questions to narrow down the issue. Does it overheat only during gaming or heavy tasks? YesNo Can you hear the fan spinning? YesNo ## Possible Causes Dust-clogged vents Very Common Dust accumulates and blocks airflow over time. Poor ventilation Very Common Using on soft surfaces or in hot environments. Dried thermal paste Moderate Thermal paste between CPU and heatsink dries out after a few years. Fan failure Moderate The cooling fan may have failed. Heavy workload Common Demanding applications push CPU to maximum. If the cause requires professional attention, see [Fix Laptop overheating issues](/repair/laptop/overheating). ## Self-Fix Instructions Safe steps you can try at home. 1. ### Improve cooling 1\. Use on a hard, flat surface. 2. Use compressed air to clean vents (laptop off). 3. Elevate the back of the laptop for better airflow. 4. Consider a laptop cooling pad. 5. Close unnecessary browser tabs and apps. ## Safety Warnings - Do not block the laptop's air vents with tape or stickers. - Using a vacuum on laptop vents can create static that damages components. Use compressed air instead. A laptop that runs unusually hot should first be tested with clear vents, a hard flat surface and a lighter workload. Dust-blocked airflow and demanding applications are common possibilities in the existing guide, while persistent overheating during light use or abnormal fan behaviour deserves closer inspection. ## Reduce heat before assuming a hardware fault 1. 01 Move the laptop onto a hard, flat surface so its ventilation openings are not covered. 2. 02 Check the vents for visible dust and clear them carefully with suitable compressed air while the laptop is powered off. 3. 03 Close unnecessary applications and check whether the temperature problem changes under a lighter workload. 4. 04 Listen for whether the cooling fan is running normally or whether it is absent, grinding or behaving unusually. 5. 05 Retest after improving airflow and note whether the laptop still becomes very hot during light use. ## What does persistent overheating suggest? If better airflow and a lighter workload make little difference, one possibility is a cooling problem that needs inspection; we would confirm that rather than assuming a particular part has failed. If the heat appears mainly during demanding work and settles during light use, the workload and ventilation pattern are useful clues for diagnosis. Do not block the vents. Avoid using a household vacuum directly on laptop vents; the existing guide recommends compressed air instead. ## Related repairs - [Laptop repair](/repair/laptop) - [Laptop overheating fix](/repair/laptop/overheating) ## More troubleshooting guides - [How to Back Up and Recover Data](/device-troubleshooting/laptop-data-backup-recovery) - [Keyboard Not Working](/device-troubleshooting/laptop-keyboard-not-working) - [Laptop Battery Not Charging](/device-troubleshooting/laptop-battery-not-charging) ## When troubleshooting isn't enough If these steps didn't resolve the issue, a professional diagnosis can identify the root cause. [Start Diagnosis ](/diagnosis?category=laptop&issue=overheating)[Fix Laptop overheating issues ](/repair/laptop/overheating) ### Still need help? FixFix Labs repairs devices in Luton. Walk in to 159 Marsh Road, Luton, LU3 2QL — or book a slot online. Same-day service on most common repairs. 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