How to Keep Your Phone or Laptop From Overheating

This article explains how to keep your laptop and smartphone from overheating on hot days.

Check the Temperature

Although it's perfectly normal for computers and smartphones to get warm thanks to the battery heating up, there is, of course, an upper limit to how hot these devices can get before they start overheating.

If your laptop feels like it's running too hot and has started showing performance problems, use a free temperature monitoring tool to see if your laptop is in danger of overheating. You'll know if your laptop is overheating if you see the telltale signs.

Some smartphones offer built-in temperature sensors that can tell you if the phone or battery is getting too hot, and many smartphones will automatically shut down if the phone gets too hot.

For storing your iPhone or MacBook, you can keep it in temperatures between -4° and 113°F (-20° to 45°C).

Keep Your Laptop or Smartphone out of Direct Sunlight and Hot Cars

Be careful where you leave your gadgets. Anyone who has been in a closed up car on a hot day can tell you that it gets really, really hot, and our skin isn't the only thing that hates hot weather. 

If you leave your phone or computer in direct sunlight or baking in a hot car, even touching it can burn your hand. It gets worse if it's playing music, taking a call, or charging, since the battery is already working up a sweat.

Turn your device off in those high-heat areas and try to only use them in the cooler shade. One option is to cover it with a shirt or sit with it under a tree. If you're in a car, try pointing the air conditioning vent in its general direction.

Wait to Use Your Hot Laptop or Smartphone

When moving from a hot area to a more temperate one, wait until your laptop or smartphone has cooled off a bit before turning it back on. Ideally, wait until the device resumes its normal thermal operating range.

Turn Off the Most Battery-Intensive Applications

Turn off the most battery-hungry apps and features. Not only do features like GPS and 4G/5G or the highest screen brightness tax your laptop or smartphone battery life, but they also make your battery run hotter.

Similarly, use your device on its battery-saving (e.g., "power saver") setting to use less battery and reduce battery heat automatically.

This mode is available on Android, iPhone, and most Apple and Windows laptop models.

Airplane Mode instantly quits broadcasting on all radios, which disables Wi-Fi, GPS, and your cellular connection. While this mode prevents phone calls and internet access, battery usage declines sharply and gives the device time to cool down.

Use a Laptop Cooling Stand

A laptop cooling stand is a great investment. These stands not only draw heat away from your laptop but they also position your laptop ergonomically.

Pop your laptop into a cooling stand if it's getting too hot. It's really not a big deal if you're already using your laptop on a desk because the cooling stand will barely change how it's positioned.

Shut Down Your Laptop or Smartphone When Not in Use

When it's really hot, perhaps the best thing you can do is turn off your device, reserving the power for when you actually need to use it.

Some devices turn off automatically when they get too hot, so shutting down all of the power to every component is one of the quickest ways to cool down the phone or laptop.

After 15 minutes of being in a cooler space, you can safely turn it back on and use it normally if it's mostly adjusted and is within its recommended thermal operating limits.