If your computer is overheating, it is most naturally a sign that something is wrong with your computer, either software related or most naturally hardware related. In this article we will go through some basic troubleshooting steps to determine what the cause is and most importantly how to fix it.
An overheating computer could be the symptom of a virus.
A virus, worm or other type of malware can cause a computer to overheat by causing the processor to max out.
By continually maxing out the capacity of the computers CPU, the system can and eventually will overheat and could unexpectedly shut down. In order to fix this, update your antivirus definitions and do a complete system scan. You may want to use a root scanner to check .DLL files as well.
If you have a laptop and it constantly overheats, it could mean that the computer is not ventilated properly. As much as possible, do not block the air vents for your laptop. Avoid resting it on your lap for extended periods of time. Also, do not leave the laptop on while sitting on a sofa, carpet, pillow or other type of fabric. These fabrics hold heat and lead to eventual overheating.
Another big culprit of an overheating computer are non-functioning fans. Whether you have a laptop, desktop or an all-in-one, your computer utilizes fans to cool the system and when these fans break, the computer overheats. The best way to test if your computers fans are working is to put your hand over the air vent of the laptop or desktop. If you do not feel any type of air being pushed towards your hand than you most likely have a non-functioning fan which needs to be fixed.
The heat sink of your CPU may not be seated properly or the thermal paste could be missing. If your case fans are working but your CPU temperature is continually reading high, it could mean the CPU fan is malfunctioning and needs to be either fixed or replaced. This is not a complicated processor but if you have doubt about it, carry it to a trained professional for them to have a look at it.
Another issue could be excessive dust buildup within your PC. Even if all the computer fans are functioning correctly, but you are still experiencing overheating, it could be an indication that your computer needs a good old dusting. But don’t use a feather duster. Those things can carry static electricity which can damage the motherboard. Instead use a can of compressed air or an anti-static vacuum to remove excessive dust from your computer’s internal components.
Last but not least, check the temperature of the room. In some cases a computer can overheat if the humidity or the temperature is too high. To prevent this, keep the computer out of direct sunlight and away from space heaters and other appliances that give off excess heat.
If none of these solutions work you may have a defective CPU which needs to be replaced.