How to Fix Laptop Overheating on Windows 11

How to Fix Laptop Overheating on Windows 11

by

Hey everyone!

I want to share my experience with laptop overheating. My laptop used to get really hot, and I thought that was normal. But it turns out you can significantly improve the situation with some simple methods!

Why Does Your Laptop Overheat?

  1. Clogged fans – dust prevents normal cooling
  2. Improper positioning – when your laptop sits on a soft surface or on your lap
  3. Too many running programs – they put a heavy load on the processor
  4. Outdated drivers – unoptimized drivers make your hardware work harder
  5. Incorrect settings – your laptop might be running at maximum power unnecessarily

My Simple Solutions

1-Minute Fixes

  1. Elevate the back of your laptop
    • I simply put a book or box under the back part
    • This immediately improves airflow and reduces temperature
  2. Close unnecessary programs
    • Press Ctrl+Alt+Del and select “Task Manager”
    • See which programs are heavily loading the processor (sort by “CPU” column)
    • Close unnecessary programs by clicking “End Task”
    • Especially Chrome with tons of tabs – it’s a real resource hog!
  3. Enable power-saving mode
    • Click on the battery icon in the bottom right
    • Move the slider to the left – this will reduce heat

10-15 Minute Fixes

  1. Blow out the ventilation openings
    • Turn off your laptop and unplug the charger
    • Buy a can of compressed air at a computer store (it’s inexpensive)
    • Blow out all the vents and grills with short bursts
    • If you don’t have a can of air, use a regular dry toothbrush
  2. Make a DIY cooling stand
    • Option 1: Take 4 plastic bottle caps and place your laptop on them
    • Option 2: Attach large binder clips to the bottom of your laptop
    • Option 3: Use a baking cooling rack from your kitchen
  3. Adjust power consumption
    • Press Win+R, type “control” and press Enter
    • Select “System and Security” → “Power Options”
    • Click “Change plan settings” → “Change advanced power settings”
    • Find “Processor power management” → “Maximum processor state”
    • Set it to 80% instead of 100% – this will reduce heat while barely affecting speed
  4. Monitor temperature
    • Download the free Core Temp program
    • It will show your current processor temperature
    • Normal temperature for regular work: 40-60°C (104-140°F)
    • Acceptable temperature for gaming: 70-80°C (158-176°F)
    • Dangerous temperature: above 85°C (185°F)

30-60 Minute Fixes

  1. Disable unnecessary startup programs
    • Press Win+R, type “msconfig” and press Enter
    • Go to the “Startup” tab → “Open Task Manager”
    • Disable programs you don’t need immediately after turning on your computer
    • I only keep my antivirus and graphics card driver
  2. Update drivers
    • Go to your laptop manufacturer’s official website
    • Find your model and download the latest drivers
    • Graphics card and chipset drivers are especially important
    • Updated drivers often work more efficiently and generate less heat
  3. Clean your system
    • Download the free CCleaner program
    • Remove temporary files and unnecessary programs
    • Clean the registry (but make a backup first!)
    • Scan your system for viruses – they can also cause overheating
  4. Adjust graphics settings in games
    • If you play games, lower the graphics settings
    • Instead of “Ultra,” set to “High” or “Medium”
    • Reduce the screen resolution in the game
    • Enable vertical synchronization (V-Sync) – this will limit FPS and reduce heat

More Serious Solutions (if you’re not afraid)

  1. Limit processor frequency
    • Download ThrottleStop (for Intel) or Ryzen Controller (for AMD)
    • Reduce the processor multiplier by 2-3 units
    • This will slightly reduce performance but significantly decrease heat
  2. Buy a good cooling pad
    • Choose a pad with fans at least 12 cm (4.7 inches) in diameter
    • The more fans, the better
    • You can find them on Amazon, but I recommend AliExpress – it might take longer to arrive, but it’s cheaper! If you’re interested, I’ll leave a link here (click me)
  3. Use external devices
    • Connect an external keyboard and mouse
    • Close the laptop lid and use an external monitor
    • This will reduce your laptop’s temperature and make work more comfortable
    • But then why didn’t I just buy a desktop computer… (rhetorical question)

What I Do Regularly

  1. Every week:
    • Close all programs I’m not using
    • Check the temperature in Core Temp
  2. Once a month:
    • Blow out the ventilation openings
    • Check if new drivers are available
  3. Every 3-4 months:
    • Clean the system with CCleaner
    • Check power settings

In Conclusion

Start with the simplest methods and gradually move forward if the problem persists. In most cases, it’s enough to just raise the back of your laptop, close unnecessary programs, and blow out the fans. You could go further and try to get inside to modify the cooling system. But that’s difficult because laptops are assembled in a specific way that doesn’t leave much room for additions.

Good luck cooling your laptop! If you have your own proven methods – share them in the comments!

Leave a Comment