Overheating and Loud Fan

Overheating and Loud Fan

Use this when: The laptop is hot to the touch, the fan is loud for a long time, or it shuts down on its own.

Steps

Do this

What should happen

1. Check what is running: Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) > CPU.

A runaway process or a stuck update is the usual cause of a fan that will not settle.

2. Make sure the vents are not blocked — not on a bed, cushion, or bag.

Soft surfaces block the intake and the fan runs flat out to compensate.

3. Close heavy apps and browser tabs, then give it a few minutes.

The fan should slow as the load drops.

4. Restart to clear a stuck process.

A single hung process can peg the CPU indefinitely.

5. If it is caked with dust at the vents, note it for the ticket.

Dust build-up is a real cause and we can clean it.

If that did not work

It shuts down on its own from heat. Stop using it for heavy work and log a MEDIUM ticket. Repeated thermal shutdowns can be a failing fan.

The fan is loud even when idle and cool. The fan itself may be faulty. Log a ticket.

It is hot but silent — no fan at all. A dead fan is a real risk to the machine. Log a MEDIUM ticket and avoid heavy use until seen.

Log a ticket

MEDIUM — Same day — Thermal shutdowns, a fan that never settles, or no fan noise at all under load.


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