Why Do My PC Run Slowly After Overheating?

Is slowing down your PC a recurring topic in your technological journey? Have you ever been annoyed when your fast PC slows after heating up? So, here’s a quick instruction on how to repair it! 

Many content creators, programmers, office workers, and researchers frequently spend long periods on their computers for their work. But sometimes your PC gets slower. Resolving this problem is essential to keep your workplace running smoothly and your PC efficiency optimally.

In this article, we’ll go into the nitty-gritty of why your system slows down after overheating. We will find all the causes of the slowness and provide you with the best tips and methods for cooling and easy strategies to speed things up again. Let’s peel back the layers of this technological enigma!

Why Do My Computer And Laptop Run Very Slowly After Overheating?

Mainly your system overheats from insufficient internal airflow, overheating GPU, overheating CPU, exhaust fan malfunctioning, or the external temperature is too hot. This overheating reduces the efficiency of components like CPU, GPU, and RAM. That’s why your laptop runs very slowly after overheating.

Computer devices generate heat as they work. Often they can regulate the heat with various cooling methods. When a fan or similar source isn’t available to adequately cool a working component, it will slow itself down to generate less heat. It cools that component.

It is done to avoid a crash and help prevent permanent damage. The processor throttle the clock speed to help manage the temperature. So, to save internal components from overheating and failing, computer performance becomes slow.

Dust build-up can significantly impact its performance and stability. It can also affect components causing them to run slower and increasing the risk of damage and failure. It can contribute to many problems, such as reduced airflow and increased noise. There is no proper ventilation, which increases the risk of overheating.

• Overheated RAM
  Overheated RAM slower the overall performance of the PC. As it refuses to store the temporary files resulting in slow performance.
• Overheated CPU
  CPU is the most crucial component. Overheating CPU malfunctions and becomes unavailable for running programs or operating systems correctly. Sometimes overheating for a long time may permanently damage your CPU.
• Overheated Hard drives
  Hard drives store all your media, including the operating system. Overheating hard drives degrade faster. You may also notice low health after sometime. As the hard drive runs the operating system, overheating slows down the whole system’s hard drive

The cooling fan is a crucial component of the cooling system in a computer or a laptop. It is responsible for dissipating heat from the internal components. a damaged fan can no longer regulate the internal temperature, due to which the overheating increases and causes the slow down of your system. It can cause significant damage to the internal components.

Reasons for Overheating In a Laptop

Sleeve-bearing fans are the most susceptible to damage. To check if your fan is damaged, spin the fan with your finger. Watch how it rotates and comes to a stop. If your fan stops suddenly, it is not turning as really as it should, and you must replace it.

As you know, fans blow in one direction. If your system’s fans work against each other, the air will become stale, and parts will overheat. Make sure you have enough fans placed in a certain way for better in and out movement of the air. 

These play a critical role in dissipating heat from the internal components of a computer or laptop. As mentioned earlier, dust is the main culprit. When the vents become clogged with dust and debris, it can disturb the flow of air, making it difficult for the cooling system to regulate the internal temperature.

The CPU is a primary component responsible for executive instructions and performing calculations. When it is overworked, it can become scorching and cause the system to slow down or shut down to protect itself from damage. It occurs due to intensive games, video editing software, virtual machines, or when you run multiple programs at once.

A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is responsible for graphics video and other visual content. Like a CPU, it can also generate heat when overworked, which can result in overheating. The system protects itself from heat damage and slows down performance. Overheating can also cause permanent damage to the GPU.

The motherboard is the main circuit board in a computer or laptop that connects all the components. It enables the communication between them. When a laptop is overheated, it can cause permanent damage to the motherboard. It leads to decreased performance and instability. In some cases, the motherboard needs to be replaced. 

Insufficient thermal paste between the CPU and heat sink can cause overheating and performance issues. A thermal paste is a conductive material that helps in transferring heat from the CPU to the heat sink and dissipates it into the air. So, in this case, heat will not be transmitted effectively, causing the system to overheat and slow down.

It can overwork the CPU and cause it to overheat and slow down. When the system is under heavy load, it generates heat which can cause the system to slow down and become less stable. Running too many programs simultaneously consumes large amounts of memory, disk space, and other resources. So, it is difficult for the system to manage all the processes.

Malware and viruses can install additional software and run background processes that can consume system resources and cause the system to overheat. It can also slow down the performance of your computer or laptop. It makes it difficult for the system to manage processes.

HDD problems such as insufficient disc space or an old hard drive can cause a computer or laptop to slow down and overheat. If you run system-intensive programs, but your hard drive is worn out, overheating occurs. In response to this heating, the computer or laptop becomes slow to save resources.

Increasing the speed of the processor beyond what it’s designed to run stably is called overclocking. It is the only way to fully overheat the processor and damage it. An overclocked processor generates more heat and adds more voltage than your cooling system can handle.

If you are using the wrong power adaptor, then it can cause overheating. It can happen if you have more than one laptop and somehow got the adapters swapped by accident. You should check that you are using the correct one for your computer. The power adaptor must not be older than five years.

The room’s temperature also plays a big part in how hot your computer gets. Cooling your laptop or computer becomes difficult if you live where it gets very humid and hot. In situations like this, make sure that your room has proper ventilation.

Physical damage can also cause the system to become overheated. The physical damage may include broken components or damaged ports. When the components are old, the system can not bear the stress of intense applications and might slow down.

How To Resolve Low Performance Due to Overheating in Laptops? 

Overheating and slowing down your system can be prevented in many ways. There are many solutions to this problem, such as cleaning, replacing, checking, or installing software. Let’s see the most common keys one by one.

Cleaning the air vents can help remove dust build-up and improve the system’s ventilation, performance, and stability. You can clean the air vents by using a can of compressed air or a soft brush. Also, You can do it regularly to maintain proper ventilation and prevent overheating. You should remember to cut off the power supply before doing this.

A damaged fan can cause a computer laptop to overheat and slow down. It is recommended to replace the fan with a professional overfalling repair guide. You may need to purchase a replacement and use the appropriate tools to install it. 

Adding more fans is an effective solution to reduce the risk of overheating in a computer or laptop. Adding a fan or two to the system can improve airflow ventilation and reduce the temperature of components. In a computer with more significant cases, 5 fans are recommended. 

Firstly, you need to identify the correct fan size. The size depends upon your laptop. Then, choose the right location. Keep in mind the place of other components as well. Now, connect the new friends to the power supply and secure them. Lastly, update the fan settings in the system BIOS and monitor the system temperature.

Apply good thermal paste. It can help to improve the transfer of heat, preventing overheating and enhancing performance. You must purchase a thermal paste and use the appropriate tools to apply it. Thermal pages transfer heat from the components to the heat sink, and the system can overheat if it becomes dry and infective.

You should ensure that your CPU is not too old and overworking. Your CPU might be struggling to keep a with the workload you demand. Open up the windows task manager and select CPU under the performance tab. Check that the CPU usage does not stay in the high percentage uses range. If it does, you might want to consider an upgrade. 

You can check the temperature of internal hardware components by using software like SpeedFan, HWMonitor, etc. You can also use BIOS to check the CPU temperature. For this, you need to restart your computer and enter the BIOS. It is recommended to avoid stock CPU coolers and opt for a good quality third-party cooler.

A PSU can be overheated too. Ensure that your power supply is not too old and not too rusty. Also, check the power supply’s fan spins up when generating some heat. If your power supply is older than five years, you might consider replacing it for optimal system performance.

Using a laptop on a bed or your lap is not the best idea. There are small vents under it. The cooling system relies on these vents to be free from obstruction and draw in air to cool the inside components. Use a laptop cooler or other laptop table for use in bed safely.

Conclusion

Overheating is a common issue. There are many reasons why a computer would overheat. Using the solutions that we have provided will help you keep it cool. It can be prevented and addressed with proper maintenance. By taking these steps, your computer and laptop will run smoothly for years to come.