Laptops are prone to overheating.
Laptops can overheat easily if proper precautions are not taken to keep them cool. Laptop components are smaller than desktop components and accumulate heat more quickly because there is less surface area to heat. If internal components of your laptop overheat, your system will not perform as well and your components may become damaged. However, you can increase laptop cooling efficiency by understanding what causes overheating.
Poor Placement
The standard laptop cooling system consists of one or two fans, a heat sink and several intake and exhaust vents. The exhaust vents, which expel hot air, are often located on the back or bottom of a laptop. If these areas are obstructed, the heat generated from your laptop's internal components has nowhere to go. Placing your laptop on a hard surface allows air to flow out. Avoid placing your laptop on soft surfaces, because they will smother the laptop's exhaust vents.
Clogged Cooling System
Apart from poor position, the most common cause of laptop cooling issues is a clogged fan and heat sink. Dust particles and debris can enter the laptop and then be drawn to the fan. The fan blades attract dust, which reduces the effective ventilation space for air to flow out. Moreover, the dust that gathers on the heat sink prevents heat from going into the heat sink. According to MaximumPC, the dust usually collects between the fan and the sink. Carefully disassemble your laptop and remove the large clumps of dust with your fingers and use a can of compressed air to blow out the rest.
BIOS Updates
Your laptop's operating system BIOS, or Basic Input/Output System, contains information about how hardware and software operate. To access your BIOS, press F10 on your keyboard before Windows loads. When the BIOS menu appears, look for the option that controls fan speed.
