Minnesota Takes Steps Toward Right to Repair
During the course of this series, we’ve covered many common problems electronics consumers encounter including, the case of the faulty router, the great mystery of whether or not to use public wifi, and perhaps the most common issue of a wet smartphone. Today we’re here to discuss another common issue most electronics owners have faced at one point or another, a hot laptop.
Problem: Many users have experienced the strange sensation of their laptop getting warmer the longer they use it, until it’s so hot they’re forced to power the device off just to cool it down. This is actually normal for laptops. Whenever they use a lot of processing power, they will heat up. However, this can be uncomfortable for some users depending on how the laptop is used. Thankfully, there are several signs that this is happening.
- If the laptop is slower than usual.
- You notice apps and programs freezing more often.
- Accessories stop responding. (mouse or keypad)
- The laptop abruptly shuts off on its own and won’t turn back on for several minutes.
- The laptop’s fan is louder than normal as a result of trying to cool down.
Solution: There are several ways to cool off a laptop. One of the most common reasons laptops overheat is the accumulation of dust that can clog up the device’s openings. Check the laptop’s vents for excess dust, and make sure all of the openings are unobstructed. One method commonly used is to turn off the laptop and unplug it, then blow dust out of the vents and openings. This can be accomplished with a can of compressed air or even your mouth as long as you don’t blow any moisture into the openings. Laptop vents are typically found along the sides or the bottom of the device.
Another method of cooling is a laptop cooling pad. Laptops used for gaming tend to get even warmer, yet still remain within a normal operating parameter. This can make the device too hot for the user’s lap, or even a pillow, though using a laptop on a pillow or any other soft, flammable surface while it’s hot is not recommended. Any soft surface can block the vents and prevent any airflow at all, which will only heat the device faster. The heat build-up is the result of excess heat having little or no room to breathe.
A cooling pad will provide more airflow for the laptop. For a more cost-effective solution, simply sitting the laptop on a flat surface and using a book or a small box to raise the back of the laptop up allows for more airflow. However, if the laptop doesn’t cool down it may cause the battery to overheat and swell. Many electronics today are manufactured with Lithium Ion batteries that are known to cause fires when damaged. To prevent battery swelling and a potential fire risk, if your laptop is overheating, turn it off, unplug it and take out the battery.
If your laptop is hot and you notice the bottom, or the keyboard is bulging, your battery is most likely swelling due to overheating. In this case, it’s best to call a professional who can safely remove the battery without damaging it. Keeping your laptop cool is extremely important and can damage your device if not taken care of properly.
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