Overheating, loud fans, and thermal throttling
The computer generates excessive heat, causes cooling fans to run at maximum speed continuously, or shuts down to protect components.
Internal desktop parts run on harmless 12V DC voltage and cannot shock you. Simply unplug the wall power cable first, then touch the unpainted metal case frame to ground static electricity.
Common Symptoms & Tells
- Case fans scream at maximum RPM even while sitting on the desktop
- Laptop chassis or desktop case feels uncomfortably hot to the touch
- Sudden frame drops and stuttering in games after 10-15 minutes of play
Interactive Fix Checklist
0 of 5 steps completedSafety power-off and discharge
Shut down the PC, turn off the power supply rocker switch (O), and unplug the AC power cord from the wall outlet. Press the front power button once while unplugged to discharge residual capacitor energy before touching any internal components.
Check hardware temperatures with HWiNFO64
Download HWiNFO64 (Sensors only mode). Check CPU Tctl/Tdie, Core, and Hotspot temperatures. Temperatures exceeding 95°C on CPU or 105°C on Hotspot indicate thermal throttling.
Clean dust out of intake filters and heatsink fins
Use compressed air or an electric duster to blow dust out of radiator fins, heatsinks, and mesh case filters. Hold fan blades still so they don't overspin.
Repaste CPU and GPU with high-grade thermal paste
Wipe dried paste using isopropyl alcohol (90%+) and apply fresh compound (Noctua NT-H2, Arctic MX-6, or Thermal Grizzly) with even cross-pattern mounting pressure.
Adjust fan curves in BIOS
Enter setup → Q-Fan / Hardware Monitor. Verify fan headers are set to PWM mode (for 4-pin fans) and create a progressive curve hitting 100% fan speed at 85°C.
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