Overheating problem

[Bestmiler]

My Dell laptop overheats whenever I have it on. I just checked both fans and they work. Also, I have heat fans that you place on the bottom of the laptop as well with two fans (by Targus I believe). It's hottest on the left side. What could it be?

 

[munkyeetr]

The fans may work, but lots of dust can accumulate in the inner workings of the unit and cause heating issues. We get lots of those cases in our service department. Technicians then open the unit and give a thorough cleaning (vacuum and blow out with air).

 

[The_Other_One]

Be sure the cooling pad isn't cancling out the laptop fans. I've seen some that do this...

Heat is a problem in general with laptops. As mentioned, dust could be built up. Though sometimes just running it too hard(too many startup programs and all) can be enough to overheat it.

 

[Bestmiler]

I cleaned it last night as well just to make sure no dust was clogging the fan. I still have the problem. Could you be that the fans aren't spinning as fast as when I bought the laptop?

 

[oscaryu1]

Could be, bearings going down.... See if its the HDD or battery. Mine will literally warm up a desk in less than 1 minute to 100+ Fahrenheit

 

[Bestmiler]

Thanks for the help so far guys. My laptop started to randomly shut down yesterday. Could this be from overheating?

 

[DellCA]

Thermal Shutdown

I’m at Dell Headquarters in Austin, Texas and I just came across this thread. It sounds like overheating but to be sure see how long it lasts in hot vs. cold environments. Also you may be able to get more dirt out and get a better idea of whether or not the fans are in good working order by disassembling it and removing them. If you'd like I can look up the details of your system and possibly come up with more if you PM the details of the system.


Neil
Dell, Inc.

 

[Platinum]

Thanks for the help so far guys. My laptop started to randomly shut down yesterday. Could this be from overheating?

That's exactly what happens when your computer overheats. Make sure youre getting good air circulation around the laptop (especially the bottom). What type of surface is your laptop resting on? If it's a bed or something like that then thats not good, that will cause your laptop to overheat faster.

I don't know how youd test how long it lasts in cold vs warm environments as neil had suggested, unless youre planning on putting it in your refrigerator or freezer though.