This document pertains to HP notebook PCs, also referred to as laptops. This video shows how to reduce heat inside your laptop computer Click here to see this video in full screen on YouTube. Symptoms of heat issues and causes of excessive heat Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP Windows 95, 98, and ME Step 1: Removing dust and lint by cleaning vents Figure : Dust accumulation Figure : Dust accumulation around a fan Figure : Side vents Figure : Bottom vents Step 2: Ensuring proper space for ventilation Step 3: Updating the BIOS After releasing a laptop, HP regularly provides updates for the BIOS and other components. Check for BIOS updates and install them using instructions in the HP support document Updating the BIOS. Step 4: Using HP CoolSense technology HP CoolSense technology is a feature in some HP notebook (laptop) computers that combines hardware, software, and mechanical design to dynamically manage the temperature of your laptop computer.

HP CoolSense uses a motion sensor in your laptop to sense when your laptop is being used in a stationary or mobile setting, and automatically adjusts the laptop performance and fan speed to keep the computer cool. You can set HP CoolSense software to your specifications. For more information, see HP Notebook PCs - HP CoolSense Technology. Step 5: Placing the notebook in a cooler room Step 6: Testing for hardware failure Testing for Hardware Failures (Windows 10, 8) Testing for Hardware Failures (Windows 7) Checking Your Notebook PC Using the HP System Health Scan for laptops running Windows Vista Fan Is Noisy and Spins Constantly, PC Is Warmer than Normal Tips for Using, Carrying, and Protecting Your HP Notebook PCOne day, you turn on your laptop. Maybe nothing happens, or maybe you get some error message about fan speed, or maybe you just get a “system halted” message. Then again, perhaps your computer works just fine, but it’s starting to sound like a vacuum cleaner because the fans are running at full blast!

At this point, you may be inclined to freak out. But don’t go there just yet… If this sounds familiar, it’s because you probably read my earlier post, How to Clean the Inside of a Desktop Computer. This edition is specifically for laptops. Usually, cleaning the fan and heat sink inside your laptop is a lot easier than you might think. With a few dollars and a bit of bravery, you can “dust” inside your laptop (without taking it apart, hopefully) even if you don’t know anything about how computers work.best way to clean metal mini blinds If you can dust your house, you can dust your lappy!best rated miele vacuum cleaner You will definitely need a can of “compressed air”, otherwise known as an “air duster”, “air squirter”, etc. best way to clean mahogany wood floor

You can buy them pretty much anywhere, and they look like this: DO NOT use a vacuum cleaner – bad idea (static electricity). Use an air duster! Note: The air duster can will become very cold as you spray. If it seems to run out of gas, put the can somewhere warm and use the 2nd can you bought. Once the 1st can warms up, it will once again have “spray power”. Right, so that was easy. Now you’re ready to carry on. All laptops have an air input, and an air output. best way to clean soiled leather car seatsCool air is sucked in somewhere, and the heated air is expelled somewhere else. vacuum cleaner best for allergiesNow, if you have some fancy new-fangled laptop, it may have vents that are very well hidden. best way to clean soiled leather car seats

For example, sometimes manufacturers (especially Fruity ones) hide the vents underneath the keyboard, or they disguise them as a thin and supposedly esthetically-pleasing slot or something. In any case, it is a simple fact that computers produce heat as they run, and all computers must remove that heat from their innards, and channel it elsewhere to avoid overheating and either damage or shutdown. There are some fanless laptops, but they are usually far less powerful than a normal laptop. Usually, they channel heat away from their internal components by using convection (natural air flow – no fan) or by using the the laptop case itself as a heat sink – especially if it’s made from something “fancy” like aluminum. In any case, if your laptop is making noise, it’s got a fan. And if it’s got a fan, it has vents. So, find the vents on your lappy. The following are some examples of where to find cooling vents on laptops: Well, as you can see, vents can be everywhere!

Normally, the one you are most concerned with is the Side Vent, and/or any Rear Vents. You can see which Side or Rear Vent is important because you’ll be able to see a (usually) copper heat sink just inside the vent, like so: The vent with the metal fins inside is the most important one to clean!Now, fire up the laptop. It will probably run much quieter, cooler, and you’ll be a happy camper. I usually do this on my laptop every 6 months or so. If you live in a dusty, smoky, or pet-hair-saturated environment, do it more often.What this probably means is that inside your lappy, you’ve got something like this: Note that in the above photo, all that grey fuzzy stuff is blocking the metal fins of the heat sink. That means no cooling, which means the fan will spin faster, and thus you have a vacuum cleaner instead of a laptop. In the picture above, the cooling fan should be on the right where the hole in the green board is, but it has been removed. In the following photo, you can see inside another laptop, and the arrows show where to clean with your spray can:

Now, if that still doesn’t work, you’ll have to remove the fan to clean the Grey Fuzzies from between the fan and the heatsink. Of course, this level of operation is not for the faint of heart. But, for those of you with some mojo, you’re probably wondering how to open your laptop and clean it out thoroughly without damaging anything. Unfortunately, each lappy is different, and thus you need to find out exactly how to open things up if you want to avoid any major headaches! Just search for something like: There are a ton of videos on this stuff out there, and someone has most certainly already done the hard investigative work for you.  All you have to do is follow their instructions.Like I said, most of the time, all you’ll need to do is spray out the vents, all kinds of dust will come blasting out (probably in your face, which is nice), and you’re done. But, if things have reached Dust Factor 9, you will have to do some video searching, and be prepared to use a micro-screwdriver – or two.