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Is my slow computer overheating? Overheating symptoms and causes | How To Fix Slow Computers
How To Fix Slow Computers

Is my slow computer overheating? Overheating symptoms and causes

Computers are built with fans and other parts which are meant to protect computers from overheating. Still, they can and do overheat. The most common problem for overheating is when there is not adequate air flow around the computer. Air flow must be able to move into the computer, through the fans and back out. This can be caused by the type of desk you have it in. If your computer tower is kept behind a closed door in the desk, air flow cannot reach the computer. You must be sure there is air flow to the computer at all times it is running

A computer can overheat due to dust and other debris building up inside the computer. This is bound to happen over time but if you keep a can of compressed air handy and occasionally use it through the air holes on the back of your computer, you should be fine. If you feel confident enough doing so you can also remove the back or any portion of the tower and give the entire inside a blast of compressed air. Dust and other particles can hinder the fan from working correctly which can quickly cause a computer to overheat. The compressed air should do the trick.

If a fan stops working, your computer will over heat very, very quickly. If this happens and you are sure it is a fan, turn off your computer until you can get a replacement fan. Many times the fan will become loud before it stops working. This is a signal that it is soon going to be inoperable. You can also always add additional fans to ensure that the system stays cool. Fans should be situated so that there is air moving toward the motherboard and memory and air moving out of the computer.

In most cases overheating causes the computer to shut down unexpectedly. You can be working away on a project or playing a game and the computer will shut down. If this happens very suddenly it is probably a burnt out fan. If it happens more frequently over time, it may be dust and debris or improper air flow. Regardless of the reason, you must find the cause and correct it.

Computer fans, like any fans can run down and quit working over time. That is why it is best if you have a couple of extra fans installed. If you don’t have them installed when you get the computer and the fans overheat, be sure to replace the fans immediately and do not run the computer until you do. Since you now know that the fans can overheat, buy extra and have them installed.

Overheating of a computer is a common problem but more often than not it can be fixed fairly easily. There are some unscrupulous people who will tell you that if your computer has overheated it cannot be fixed. This is usually not true unless the motherboard itself is damaged.