10 Ways to Prevent Overheating in Your PC or Laptop

There’s nothing worse than your computer slowing down, freezing or shutting off completely, especially when you’re in the middle of something important. One of the most common causes of these issues? Overheating.

Heat is a natural byproduct of electronics, but if your PC or laptop is getting too hot too often, it can shorten the lifespan of your hardware, cause performance issues and even result in permanent damage. The good news is, most overheating problems can be prevented with a bit of knowledge, proactive care and the right setup.

In this article, we’ll explore the causes of overheating and share practical, easy-to-follow tips to help keep your device cool, efficient and running at its best.

Causes of Overheating in Laptops and PCs

However, before we jump into prevention, it’s helpful to understand the main reasons why PCs and laptops overheat:

• Dust and Debris: Over time, dust builds up inside your device, clogging fans, vents and cooling components.

• Poor Ventilation: Placing your device on soft surfaces (like a bed or couch) can block airflow.

• Aging Thermal Paste: Thermal paste between your processor and heat sink wears out over time, reducing its effectiveness.

• Outdated Hardware: Older components can struggle to keep up with newer software demands, generating more heat.

• Intensive Tasks: Running games, rendering video, or multitasking across several apps can push your hardware to its limits.

  
  

Now that we’ve identified the causes, let’s walk through some strategies to keep your system cool.

1. Keep It Clean Inside and Out

Dust is one of your computer’s worst enemies when it comes to overheating. It accumulates over time, especially around vents and fans, reducing airflow and insulating heat.

What you can do:

• Use an electric compressed air duster to blow dust out of vents every few months.

• If you’re comfortable opening your PC case or laptop (and your warranty allows it), gently clean the internal components using an electric compressed air duster and an anti-static brush.

• Clean your workspace too! A dusty environment leads to a dusty machine.

  
  

2. Improve Airflow and Ventilation

Whether you’re using a desktop or a laptop, airflow is crucial. Blocked vents mean trapped heat, and trapped heat leads to throttling or shutdowns.

For desktops:

• Make sure there’s plenty of space around your tower, especially behind it.

• Keep it off the floor, particularly if you have carpet.

• Consider adding extra case fans or upgrading to larger ones for better airflow.

  
  

For laptops:

• Avoid placing your laptop on soft surfaces like beds or pillows.

• Use a laptop stand or cooling pad to lift it off the surface and allow air to circulate.

  
  

3. Upgrade Your Thermal Paste

Thermal paste plays a crucial role in transferring heat from your CPU or GPU to the heatsink. Over time, it can dry out or lose effectiveness, especially if your computer is older.

Signs it might be time for new thermal paste:

• Your device is regularly overheating despite being clean and well-ventilated.

• You hear your fans working overtime for no obvious reason.

  
  

Replacing thermal paste is a delicate process, but if done right, it can dramatically improve cooling performance. If you’re not confident doing it yourself, a professional can help.

4. Monitor Your Temperatures

Knowledge is power, and knowing your average system temperature can help you catch problems early.

Tools to try:

• HWMonitor

• Core Temp

• MSI Afterburner (especially useful for gamers)

  
  

These programs let you keep an eye on your CPU, GPU and hard drive temperatures in real-time. Generally, if you see consistent temperatures above 85°C for CPUs or 90°C for GPUs, it’s time to act.

5. Update Your Drivers and BIOS

Believe it or not, software can help you stay cool too.

• GPU and CPU drivers are regularly updated to improve performance and thermal efficiency.

• BIOS updates can introduce fan curve optimisations or better power management.

  
  

Make a habit of checking your manufacturer’s website or using software like Windows Update or manufacturer-specific utilities to keep everything up-to-date.

6. Consider Undervolting or Optimising Power Settings

High voltage means high performance and higher temperatures. But most users don’t need their CPUs and GPUs to run at maximum capacity all the time.

Try:

• Undervolting: Lowering the voltage to your processor while maintaining stability. (This is an advanced technique and not recommended unless you know what you're doing.)

• Windows power plans: Switch to “Balanced” or create a custom plan to reduce stress on your hardware.

  
  

You’ll lose a bit of performance, but most users won’t notice, and your device will thank you.

7. Be Mindful of the Room Temperature

Ambient temperature matters. If you’re in a warm room, your device has to work even harder to stay cool. During summer months, try to:

• Use a fan or air conditioning to keep the room cooler.

• Avoid direct sunlight hitting your device.

• Give your device a break during the hottest parts of the day if needed.

  
  

8. Optimise Your Software Load

Sometimes, overheating isn’t the hardware’s fault.. It’s all the apps running in the background.

Tips to reduce software strain:

• Close unused programs and browser tabs.

• Disable unnecessary startup programs.

• Run antivirus scans to make sure malware isn’t hogging your resources.

  
  

Task Manager is your best friend here. It shows you exactly what’s using your CPU, GPU and memory at any given time.

9. Check for Failing Hardware

If you’ve tried everything and your PC or laptop is still overheating, it might be a sign that a hardware component is failing. This is most commonly the fans, GPU, power supply or hard drive.

A failing fan might spin irregularly or make strange noises. A dying hard drive may cause excessive heat or slow load times. If you're unsure, a professional diagnostic can identify the root of the problem and recommend replacements if necessary.

10. Get Professional Support When You Need It

If your PC or laptop is consistently overheating and none of the above tips solve the issue, don’t wait for a complete breakdown. At Capital Tech Solutions, we provide diagnostics, hardware upgrades, thermal paste replacement and custom cooling solutions tailored to your needs.

Sometimes, it’s a simple fix. Other times, a more serious upgrade is needed. Either way, expert advice can save you time, stress and money.

Overheating is more than just an inconvenience; it can have long-term effects on your computer’s performance and lifespan. But with regular care, good airflow, proper cleaning and some simple monitoring, most users can keep their devices running cool and smooth.

Whether you’re a casual user, a remote worker or a hardcore gamer, your PC or laptop deserves the best possible environment to perform at its peak. Prevention is always easier (and cheaper) than repairs down the track.

And remember! If you’re unsure what’s causing the problem or want a second opinion when it comes to preventing overheating in your laptop or PC, we’re always here to help.