Why laptop is heating?

I've repaired laptops for 5 years, and 80% of overheating issues are due to dust buildup in the cooling system. The fans spin, but no air moves through clogged heatsinks. Here's a simple test: if your laptop gets hot but the fan isn't loud, it's probably dust. If the fan is screaming but it's still hot, the thermal paste might need replacing. For non-techies, I'd recommend getting it professionally cleaned annually. Also, elevate the back of your laptop just half an inch - this improves airflow significantly and can reduce temperatures by 5-10°C. Avoid those "laptop cooling mats" with multiple small fans - the single large fan types work much better.

From a technical perspective, your laptop heats up because all the electrical energy your components use eventually turns into heat. The more intensive tasks you run, the more heat generated. Modern laptops have thermal throttling - they actually slow down performance to prevent overheating damage. You can monitor your temperatures with free tools like HWMonitor or Core Temp. If your CPU is consistently hitting 90°C+, that's concerning. Also, check your power settings - "High performance" mode generates more heat than "Balanced." Regular maintenance (cleaning every 6-12 months) makes a huge difference in thermal performance!

Laptop heating is super common, and there are several reasons why it happens: Dust accumulation - The cooling vents get clogged with dust over time Heavy usage - Gaming, video editing, or multiple tabs can push your CPU/GPU Old thermal paste - The thermal interface material between processor and heatsink dries out Poor ventilation - Using laptop on soft surfaces like beds or couches blocks airflow Background processes* - Some apps run unnecessarily in the backgroundFor quick fixes, try cleaning the vents with compressed air, using a laptop cooling pad, and closing unnecessary applications. If it persists, you might need professional cleaning or thermal paste replacement.