Laptop overheating and noisy: causes and fixes

A loud fan and a hot case are the most common laptop complaints — especially during a Tbilisi summer, when flats reach 35 °C. Here is where overheating comes from and how to deal with it.

Why laptops overheat

1. Dust in the cooling system. In a year or two the heatsink clogs with dust and hair, and air stops flowing.
2. Dried-out thermal paste. After 2–3 years it loses its properties and heat leaves the CPU less efficiently.
3. Soft surfaces. Beds and sofas block the vents underneath.
4. Background processes and malware. Miners and stuck apps can push the CPU to 100%.
5. A worn fan. Humming, rattling or whistling means the bearing is going.
6. A hot room. Laptop cooling is designed for normal room temperatures.

Why overheating is dangerous

The laptop throttles, slows down and may shut off suddenly. Prolonged overheating damages the graphics chip and motherboard — repairs that cost many times more than a preventive clean.

When to call a technician

If the laptop is more than 18–24 months old and has never been cleaned, the fan is loud even at idle, and CPU temperatures exceed 90 °C, it is time for a professional clean with fresh thermal paste. We do it on-site in Tbilisi, usually in 1–1.5 hours.