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5 min fix 2 min read Recently reviewedBeginner

By , IT support technician

Quick Answer

Move your laptop to a hard, flat surface (like a desk) to unblock the vents on the bottom, and close any unnecessary background apps to reduce CPU usage.

How to Fix an Overheating Laptop on Windows ​

Estimated Time to Fix: 5 minutes

Applies to: Windows 11, Windows 10
Article Type: Troubleshooting
Last Updated: 2026-07-20

Summary ​

This article guides you through troubleshooting and fixing an overheating laptop by improving airflow and reducing system load.

Symptoms ​

  • Your laptop feels unusually hot to the touch, especially on the bottom or near the keyboard.
  • The internal fans are spinning very loudly and constantly.
  • The computer suddenly shuts down or freezes without warning.

Prerequisites ​

  • None required.

Instructions ​

1. Improve Physical Airflow ​

  1. Move your laptop to a hard, flat surface (like a desk or table). Using it on a bed, couch, or your lap blocks the bottom air vents.
  2. Ensure there is at least a few inches of clearance around the side and back vents of the laptop.
  3. If the vents look dusty, gently blow the dust out.

2. Close Power-Hungry Applications ​

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  2. Click on the CPU column header to sort the list by what is using the most processor power.
  3. If you see a non-essential app consistently using a high percentage of the CPU (e.g., above 30%), select it and click End task.

3. Adjust Your Power Plan ​

  1. Click the Battery icon in the bottom right corner of your taskbar.
  2. In Windows 11, click the Power mode dropdown and select Balanced or Best power efficiency instead of Best performance.
  3. In Windows 10, click the battery icon and drag the slider to the middle or left.

4. Verify Success ​

  1. After making these changes, wait 10-15 minutes to see if the fans quiet down and the laptop's temperature drops.

Troubleshooting ​

WARNING

If your laptop is overheating to the point of shutting down immediately after turning it on, do not continue trying to force it on. This can cause permanent hardware damage.

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
Fans never turn on, laptop is very hotBroken internal fanHow to Submit an Effective IT Support Ticket
Laptop only overheats when chargingDegraded batteryUnplug the charger to see if it cools down. If so, the battery or charger may need replacing.