Laptop overheating: what causes it and how to fix it

Laptop overheating usually comes from dusty or blocked vents, soft surfaces, or programs keeping the processor busy. Use it on a hard surface, clean the vents and close busy apps. If it keeps shutting down, or the case or battery bulges, stop using it and get it serviced.

Last updated October 25, 2026 · Facts checked against Dell, Lenovo and Microsoft support pages

The short version

  • Some warmth is normal. Microsoft says devices may feel warm during normal use.
  • Warning signs: fans loud all the time, random shutdowns or restarts, and slowing down within minutes of light use.
  • Fix it in this order: hard surface, clean vents, close busy apps, update BIOS and drivers, lower the power mode, then get it serviced.
  • Stop using it right away if the case swells, you smell burning or chemicals, or it’s too hot to touch after shutdown.

Is it overheating or just warm?

Laptops get warmer when the processor and graphics chip are working hard, such as during games, video editing or with lots of apps open. That’s expected. Microsoft rates its Surface laptops for use in rooms between 32°F and 95°F (0°C to 35°C), and Dell recommends the same range for reliable operation.

Dell lists these as signs of a real problem:

That last one is thermal throttling. Dell describes it as built-in protection that lowers the processor’s speed when it gets too hot. Some throttling during long, heavy tasks is normal. Throttling during light use, or alongside crashes, points to a problem.

What causes a laptop to overheat

Quick fixes, in order

Test the laptop after each step. Most people won’t need to go past step 4.

1. Let it cool down

Turn it off, move it somewhere cooler and wait at least five minutes. That’s Microsoft’s advice for a Surface that has shut down from heat, and it works for any laptop.

2. Use it on a firm, flat surface

A desk or table keeps the vents clear. A laptop stand or a cooling pad with built-in fans can add airflow, as long as it doesn’t cover any of the vents.

3. Clean the vents

Shut the laptop down and unplug it. Lenovo suggests removing loose dust from the outside vents with the method your laptop’s maker specifies, such as a soft, lint-free cloth, a brush or compressed air, and says not to push objects into the vents.

4. Close programs that keep the processor busy

Open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc and sort by CPU. Look for programs that stay busy while you’re not using them, close the ones you don’t need, and turn off unneeded startup apps. Dell warns not to disable your antivirus. Our guides to disabling startup apps and speeding up a slow laptop go further.

5. Update the BIOS, drivers and Windows

Get BIOS and driver updates from your laptop maker’s support site for your exact model, and install pending Windows updates.

6. Use a lower power mode

Microsoft says the Best performance power mode can make a laptop run warmer. Switching to Balanced or Best power efficiency reduces the load, and so does lowering screen brightness. Our Windows power mode guide explains the options. Some makers add their own thermal modes in their support apps. Dell, for example, puts them in Dell Optimizer or the MyDell app.

7. Run the maker’s hardware diagnostics

Check your laptop maker’s support site for its hardware diagnostics. On Dell laptops, you can run the built-in fan test from the F12 boot menu or use SupportAssist, and Dell suggests noting any error codes it shows.

When overheating is dangerous

Stop now: Shut the laptop down, unplug the charger and stop using it if the case is swollen, you smell burning or chemicals, or it’s still too hot to touch after shutdown. Dell says not to open the laptop or try to remove a swollen battery yourself.

Heat is hard on batteries. Microsoft says high temperatures wear out lithium-ion cells faster and permanently reduce their capacity. It also says severely worn batteries may visibly expand. If the battery pushes against the case, stop using the laptop immediately, and don’t press on or puncture it.

Dell says batteries can swell because of age, the number of charge cycles or exposure to high heat. If a swollen battery is stuck inside the laptop, Dell says not to try to free it, because puncturing, bending or crushing it can be dangerous. Contact the manufacturer or an authorized repair service for a replacement.

Heat shutdowns are a protection feature, so treat repeated ones as a sign to fix the cause, not something to work around. Microsoft notes that sustained skin contact with warm surfaces can cause discomfort or injury, which is one more reason not to use a hot laptop on your lap.

How to check temperatures and throttling

You don’t need exact numbers to diagnose most overheating. Watch for the pattern Dell describes: slowing within minutes of light use, fans at full speed while idle, or shutdowns. Task Manager shows which programs are keeping the processor busy.

For a proper check, run the maker’s diagnostics, which test the fans and report thermal errors. Free third-party tools can display temperature readings, but treat them as a rough guide and rely on the symptoms and the manufacturer’s tests when deciding what to do.

When to get it serviced

Dell recommends contacting support when:

Replacing a fan or old thermal paste means opening the laptop. Lenovo advises following the service instructions for your exact model rather than changing internal parts without them. If you’re not comfortable doing that, a repair shop or the manufacturer’s service center can do it.

Frequently asked questions

Is laptop overheating dangerous?

Laptops protect themselves by slowing down or shutting off, so the usual result is lost work. Heat also wears out the battery faster, according to Microsoft. It becomes a safety issue if the battery swells, you smell burning, or the case stays too hot to touch after shutdown. In those cases, stop using it and contact the manufacturer.

Why is my laptop overheating when charging?

Heavy use while charging adds heat, and blocked vents make it worse. Microsoft advises against using or charging a laptop at high temperatures because heat wears out the battery faster. If the area around the battery gets very hot, or the case starts to bulge, stop charging it and get it checked.

Why does my laptop overheat and shut down?

Laptops shut down to protect themselves when they pass their maximum temperature. Clean the vents, use a hard surface and close busy programs. If it keeps happening, run the maker’s diagnostics and contact support. Dell notes that random shutdowns without heat can be a power or battery issue instead.

Is it normal for a laptop to get hot?

Feeling warm is normal, especially during games, video calls or big downloads. It isn’t normal for the fan to roar while the laptop is idle, or for it to slow down within minutes of light use.

Does a cooling pad or laptop stand help?

It can. A stand lifts the laptop so air reaches the vents underneath, and a pad with fans adds airflow. Check that it doesn’t cover any vents. Neither will fix a clogged fan, so clean the vents first.

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