How to Keep Your Laptop Cool

Most laptops tend to overheat because the cooling fan beneath the base is obstructed, causing the hard drive to quickly deteriorate. By using one (or more) of the methods below, your laptop will stay cooler and run more smoothly.

Elevate your laptop. Place a book or any other object (such as an iPod docking station) underneath the laptop's battery area when it’s placed on a table. This slight incline allows more air to circulate underneath and helps to lower the laptop's temperature. Be sure to check that the book doesn’t block the ventilation holes.

• If the book obstructs airflow, you can use a less flat object instead. Try attaching four pieces of egg carton material to each corner of the laptop. You can attach them with tape or use bendable wire wrapped in tape for flexibility.

Buy a cooling pad or laptop cooling mat. There are many brands available to choose from (Thermaltake, Xion, Targus), which you can purchase on Lazada, Shopee, etc. You can even find a laptop stand or a computer holder with built-in ventilation.

• If you can’t find one or can’t afford a cooling pad, place a solid object under your laptop instead of something soft. For example, you could use a plastic box, folding table, or even a wooden plank to create a firm, flat, and more breathable surface.
• It’s not advisable to use your laptop on soft surfaces like sofas, carpets, folded blankets, or pillows. The ventilation holes underneath the laptop will be blocked, limiting airflow and causing the machine to overheat. If it gets too hot, it could even catch fire and cause a fire hazard.

Keep the surrounding environment cool. It’s best to use your laptop in an air-conditioned or cool space to help keep the laptop from overheating.

Consider using a metal heat sink. Use a thin metal strip instead of a separate cooling device. The principle is that the laptop must transfer enough heat to the metal block to prevent overheating. This means the larger the metal strip, the longer it will take to heat up. However, this method works only if your laptop’s casing is metal and feels warm to the touch.

Install temperature monitoring software. You can find various options online.

Avoid overclocking. Overclocking your computer will cause it to run hotter than usual. If you don’t overclock, there’s no need to underclock it, as this could slow down your machine.

Reduce maximum processor state. This option is only available on Windows. While you can do it on a Mac, it’s more complicated. Right-click on the battery icon and choose “more power options.” Click on “Change plan settings” under your current power plan, then select “Advanced power settings.” Next, click on “processor power management” and go to “maximum processor states.” Set both options to around 70-90% (80% is the recommended setting).

Lower screen brightness. This is also an effective method!