PC overheating or loud fans: causes and fixes

A computer that feels hot, slows down, shuts off or has a fan that sounds like a small jet is usually struggling to get rid of heat. Here are the causes you can fix yourself, in order, and the signs that mean you should stop using the computer.

Before you start

Computers produce heat, and a fan that speeds up during a game, a video call or an update is normal. It becomes a problem when the fan is loud while you are doing very little, when the computer is too hot to touch, or when it slows down or shuts itself off. Slowing down to protect itself is called thermal throttling (the computer lowers its speed to cool down).

Try these fixes in order

Fix 1: Give it room to breathe

Blocked vents are among the most common causes. This takes a minute.

• Use a laptop on a hard, flat surface such as a desk. Soft surfaces like beds, couches, blankets and pillows block the vents on the bottom and sides and can cause quick overheating.
• Dell, for one, does not recommend resting a laptop directly on your lap.
• Place a desktop upright on a hard surface with space on all sides, especially around the vents. Do not push it into a closed cabinet.
• Keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters. Dell gives 0 to 35 degrees C (32 to 95 degrees F) as the room temperature range for its PCs. Check your own model's guide.
• A laptop cooling pad with its own fans can improve airflow during long use.

Fix 2: Close what is working the processor

Heavy programs make the processor work harder and the fan spin faster. Windows updates can do this too, and often finish by themselves.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. If you see a small window, select More details.
2. On the Processes page, select the CPU column heading to put the busiest items at the top.
3. If a program you do not need is using a lot, select it and then select End task. Do not end items you do not recognize.
4. Restart the computer if the fan stays loud.

If the computer is slow as well, see PC running slow. On a Mac, open Activity Monitor from the Utilities folder inside Applications, select the CPU tab, and see Mac running slow.

Fix 3: Cut down start-up programs and use a balanced power mode

1. In Task Manager, open the Startup apps page (Windows 11) or the Startup tab (Windows 10).
2. Select programs you do not need at start-up and select Disable. Leave your security software alone.
3. On Windows 11, open Settings then System then Power & battery. Next to Power mode, choose a balanced option rather than the highest-performance one. The highest-performance setting uses more power, which can make a laptop run warmer. This option is not on every PC.
4. Restart the computer.

More on start-up items is in startup programs and slow boot.

Fix 4: Clean the dust from the vents

Dust and lint on the cooling fins make the fan work harder and louder. Cleaning the outside vents is safe. Opening the case is not covered here.

1. Turn the computer off, unplug it, and let it cool. For a laptop, also unplug the charger.
2. Find the vent slots. Laptops usually have them on the bottom and along one side or the back. Desktops have them at the back and sometimes at the front and sides.
3. Hold a can of compressed air upright and spray short bursts into the vents. Keep the can upright so liquid does not spray out.
4. Wipe the outside with a dry, soft cloth.
5. Wait a few minutes, then plug in and turn on.

Dust builds up again over time, so clean the vents now and then. In a dusty home with pets, do it more often.

Fix 5: Update Windows and the maker's software

Updates can include fixes for fan and power control. Use Settings then Windows Update on Windows 11, or Settings then Update & Security then Windows Update on Windows 10. If you need a firmware (BIOS) or driver update, get it from your PC maker's support page for your exact model, as in fix driver problems with Device Manager. Many makers also provide a hardware test, such as a fan test, in their own support app or at start-up. Look on your maker's support page.

If it still does not work

• If the fan never spins, or the computer shuts off by itself, stop using it and ask the maker or a repair shop to check the fan. A computer with a stopped fan can overheat quickly.
• Damage from blocked vents can be permanent, and it may not be covered by the warranty.
• If the heat started right after a crash or a restart loop, see blue screen errors.
• If a laptop battery is hot or swells, see laptop battery will not charge and stop using it.

Frequently asked questions