Laptop overheating problem...?

[scuba steve]

Whenever i'm streaming video off my laptop recently the fans would get much louder as if they were struggling and the whole video would start to lag really badly until it went back to normal, the only problem is it's doing this every 10 seconds or so, so you can see the problem.

I don't really know why it's started to do this, I generally keep it on top of a book so the fans still have enough room for ventilation but recently even on the keyboard I can feel it's alot warmer... What can I do to stop this?

[Commander Thor]

Most likely the fins on the heatsink are clogged with dust/fuzz.
Depending on the laptop, and if you're comfortable with it, you should be able to pop the back of the laptop off, and clean it out, either using your fingers, or compressed air (Or both). You will probably need to remove the fan to get to the heatsink.
Note: DO NOT remove the heatsink from whereever it's attached, as you'll need to re-apply the thremal paste/compound. (Detaching it from the chassis is fine, just don't remove it from where it's attached on the motherboard)

[TheMatrix]

There are Laptop Cooling Pads available for sale at your local computer store.
They generally plug into a USB slot.

Living in the US(:(), I cannot recommend any ones online. I'm sure that your local computer store has them, though.

[scuba steve]

Most likely the fins on the heatsink are clogged with dust/fuzz.
Depending on the laptop, and if you're comfortable with it, you should be able to pop the back of the laptop off, and clean it out, either using your fingers, or compressed air (Or both). You will probably need to remove the fan to get to the heatsink.
Note: DO NOT remove the heatsink from whereever it's attached, as you'll need to re-apply the thremal paste/compound. (Detaching it from the chassis is fine, just don't remove it from where it's attached on the motherboard)

Would you be able to take the Vacum cleaner to it? I don't really want to take the laptop apart unless it's necessary.

[Kaya]

I had the same problem, and I just stopped using it on my lap. Now it doesn't overheat if it's on a flat surface...and when it does get hot, I just turn it off for a few minutes, then turn it back on.

[Sith Lord 13]

If you're running off AC power, take the battery out.

[scuba steve]

If you're running off AC power, take the battery out.

AC power as in with the cord in? Can you do that, I though that was unique to the Gameboy colour? :P

[Commander Thor]

Would you be able to take the Vacum cleaner to it? I don't really want to take the laptop apart unless it's necessary.
I wouldn't recommend doing that, but I suppose you can try. There is a slight chance static electricity can build up, so I wouldn't keep the vacuum on for long.
Though, trying to suck it out probably won't work. Right now you've got a clogged drain pipe. When you unclog a drainpipe, you don't try to suck the debris out, you pull it out from where its clogged. This is what you're probably going to end up needing to do.
AC power as in with the cord in? Can you do that, I though that was unique to the Gameboy colour? :P

Most laptops will run off of AC power with the battery removed, yes. There are a select few, in my experience its mostly been Gateway laptops, that require the battery to run.

[scuba steve]

I wouldn't recommend doing that, but I suppose you can try. There is a slight chance static electricity can build up, so I wouldn't keep the vacuum on for long.
Though, trying to suck it out probably won't work. Right now you've got a clogged drain pipe. When you unclog a drainpipe, you don't try to suck the debris out, you pull it out from where its clogged. This is what you're probably going to end up needing to do.


Damn, do you think it would be a pretty awkward procedure for a novice to perform?


Most laptops will run off of AC power with the battery removed, yes. There are a select few, in my experience its mostly been Gateway laptops, that require the battery to run.

You think this would benefit the laptop much? Could it be overcharging or something weird like that?

[Commander Thor]

Damn, do you think it would be a pretty awkward procedure for a novice to perform?

Nope.
Laptops are surprisingly easy to take apart.

You think this would benefit the laptop much? Could it be overcharging or something weird like that?

Doubtful.
An overcharged/overheating battery will not cause the rest of the system to overheat. When a system overheats, it's because the cooling system isn't working properly. Usually caused by blockages.

[scuba steve]

Nope.
Laptops are surprisingly easy to take apart.


Right, I think i'm going to give this a try tommorow morning, so just clean the dust out with my finger? Also will there be loads of delicate parts that I'll need to be extra careful of? Or will it just be: fans, clean them screws back in. Job done?


Doubtful.
An overcharged/overheating battery will not cause the rest of the system to overheat. When a system overheats, it's because the cooling system isn't working properly. Usually caused by blockages.

I actually noticed webpages loaded marginally faster when I took the battery and the systems gotten cooler, weird. May just be a placebo effect or me just getting used to it.

[Commander Thor]

Right, I think i'm going to give this a try tommorow morning, so just clean the dust out with my finger? Also will there be loads of delicate parts that I'll need to be extra careful of? Or will it just be: fans, clean them screws back in. Job done?
Nah, there's nothing you really need to be worried about breaking. If you're static-y, make sure to periodically touch a grounded surface.

@ the bolded bit; note that it's not the fans that are most likely blocked, it's the heatsink. The heatsink will look like a bunch of metal fins, closely spaced together.
The part you're looking for is most likely hidden to the side of the fan, meaning, you may need to remove the fan to clean out the blockage.
Though note: there may not even be a blockage if a malfunctioning charging system is to blame. (See below)
I actually noticed webpages loaded marginally faster when I took the battery and the systems gotten cooler, weird. May just be a placebo effect or me just getting used to it.

If the laptop is still under warranty, first, don't take it aprart ;) , second, see if having the charging system/battery looked at is covered under warranty. The battery /shouldn't/ be getting so hot that it's noticabally affecting system performace.

[Skatergirl]

My old laptop did this all the time. It would get so hot, and then just shut down.
I would have to put a fan upside down underneath it. That would work, but it was a pain.
What I do now for my new laptop is I put it on a shoe rack. One with legs. It works good cause it acts as a table too.

[paul955]

My laptop does that too, it's a Dell XPS Studio 1640 i wanna say? Anyways it heats up a lot, and it's probably cause of the processors working hard. Sometimes it over heats and my computer just starts lagging and crashing.