After using a laptop for a few years, you may notice the fan spinning incessantly and the bottom getting hot. While it is normal for it to heat up during heavy tasks, if the fan noise is loud even during light work like document editing, it may need to be checked.
1. Check the air vents first.
Laptops cool down by drawing in air and expelling hot air through vents on the bottom and sides. If you use the laptop on a soft surface like a blanket or sofa, the bottom vents become blocked, trapping heat. Using it on a flat desk and creating a gap between the laptop and the surface using a stand or cooling pad allows air to circulate, reducing heat generation. When using a cooling pad, make sure to check that the product is compatible with the laptop's ventilation structure and fan location.
2. Reduce background programs
If the fan keeps spinning rapidly even during light tasks, open Task Manager and clean up programs and browser tabs running in the background. In many cases, simply reducing startup programs and changing the power mode to 'Balanced' alleviates heat and noise.
3. Internal cleaning and thermal grease
Laptops used for more than 3 to 5 years experience severe overheating as dust accumulates internally and the thermal grease on the CPU and GPU dries out. The fundamental solution is to open the back panel, remove the dust, and apply new thermal grease. If you are hesitant to disassemble it, taking it to a repair shop is also an option.
4. Check the temperature as a number
You can check CPU and GPU temperatures using free monitoring tools like MSI Afterburner. Temperatures in the 60–70 degree range during work are considered good, but if the temperature exceeds 85 degrees and the system frequently freezes or shuts down, heat management is urgent. Laptops automatically slow down to cool down once they exceed a certain temperature, and slowdowns in operation during this process are a sign of this.
Caution: Signal to stop use immediately
If you smell a burning odor or the battery is swollen, turn off the power immediately and stop using it. If forced shutdowns occur repeatedly, do not endure it on your own; you must have it checked.
source: wikidocs — Laptop heat management, CIO — Laptop Cooling Tips
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