Laptop overheating: how to fix it and when to call a technician

Laptop overheating is one of the most common problems we see in Benidorm. Here is how to diagnose it and what to do.

A laptop that runs hot is not just uncomfortable — it is damaging. When a laptop reaches critical temperatures it automatically reduces its own performance to protect the components, which is why an overheating laptop is also a slow laptop.

Signs your laptop is overheating

• Fans running at full speed even with light tasks
• Bottom of the laptop very hot to the touch
• Laptop suddenly much slower than usual
• Random shutdowns without warning
• Fan noise louder than it used to be

Common causes of overheating

Dust accumulation

The most common cause. Dust builds up in the fans and heatsink over months and years, blocking airflow. The solution is an internal clean with compressed air and new thermal paste.

Dried thermal paste

The thermal paste between the CPU and heatsink dries out over time and loses effectiveness. Replacing it can reduce temperatures by 15-25°C in some laptops.

Blocked vents

Using the laptop on a bed, sofa or pillow blocks the bottom vents. Always use it on a hard, flat surface or with a laptop stand.

Background processes

Malware or programmes running in the background can push CPU usage to 100%, generating excessive heat even with no visible activity.

The fix

If the laptop is more than 2-3 years old and overheating, an internal clean with thermal paste replacement is almost always the solution. At RepararElPC Benidorm we do this from €40 fixed price, usually completed the same day.