Signs Your Electronics are Overheating and What to Do

During the hotter months, electronics are at a greater risk of overheating. When the weather heats up, so will electronics, and they can present safety issues like chemical fires if not properly managed. 

There are several signs of overheating. The most noticeable sign is swelling. When batteries get too hot, they l expand. Lithium-Ion batteries are particularly hazardous because of their explosive nature and, unfortunately, are used in the majority of electronics. 

Signs of overheating in electronics include: 

• The most noticeable sign is swelling. This is especially noticeable in laptops, tablet keyboards, and smartphones. Keyboards will start to bow as the battery swells and push the keys outward, potentially causing some to pop off. 

• The first thing users typically notice is the temperature of the device. Think about how warm your devices get after hours of use. If a device is overheating, it will get increasingly warm until it is difficult even to touch. 

• Electronics may make noises as they overheat. Laptops and desktops will make a high whirring noise as the fan works overtime to cool the device. They may even make hissing noises, smell too hot, or smoke. 

As our electronics get smaller and lighter, lithium-ion batteries create large amounts of energy that are stored in a small space, resulting in the potential for  battery fires. LIBs have caused thousands of chemical fires over the years.

LIBs are the primary cause of fires in electronics, and it’s becoming increasingly critical to plan to prevent battery fires. Electronics are used in almost every aspect of daily life, especially with remote working, and overheating may be inevitable for those who use devices for long periods.  Luckily, there are a few preventative measures users can take to help prevent battery fires. 

• Keep electronics out of the sun. Whether it’s a hot car or simply near an open window, excessive heat causes the device to overheat faster. 

• Keep the vents open, clean, and free of dust clogging them. Avoid resting laptops on blankets, pillows, or any soft surface that will cover the vents at any point. Keeping them on hard, stable surfaces allows proper ventilation and helps the device run smoothly. 

• Despite safety efforts, accidents happen, so it’s always smart to keep fire extinguishers on hand. Chemical fires require special extinguishers made specifically for chemical combustions. 

IT asset disposition facilities like HOBI offer repair and refurbishment services for remarketing used devices. HOBI’s skilled professionals are trained to handle lithium-ion batteries and take extra precautions when removing them. 

For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.