Can CPU Overheating Cause Black Screen?

Black Screen error, also known as Death Error of Windows, is the most common error due to overheating the system’s hardware, usually overheating the CPU.

Several problems can cause a black screen error, ranging from CPU overheating to corrupt Windows and malware, causing the hardware to overheat. Users can easily resolve these issues by following simple step-by-step methods to find the possible causes. Sometimes, it requires changes.

In today’s article, we will discover possible reasons, preventions, and step-by-step solutions for black screen errors due to CPU overheating. We will also discuss the causes in detail. So, let’s get into this topic without wasting any more time.

Can CPU Overheating Cause Black Screen?

Yes, a CPU that has become too hot can cause the black screen error. Corrupt or outdated versions of Windows, malware, and virus infections are all potential causes of CPU overheating errors. It could also be due to a lack of airflow in your case or dry thermal paste on your CPU. 

The temperature often depends on CPU usage and capability. High-demanding programs that exhaust the capability of your CPU can also cause it to overheat. Avoid opening multiple tabs on the browser, and close the unresponsive useless programs running in the background to save CPU usage.

Some hardware malfunctions can cause the CPU to overheat, leading to black screen errors. Blocked or dusty air vents preventing your computer’s chassis airflow can also be one of the reasons because it traps the heat inside the case. Never put your PC in a hot environment to operate.

These are the possible reasons for CPU overheating, causing a black screen error, but before doing any type of diagnosis. Ensure to reboot your PC after the first encounter; if the system and Windows don’t work together to resolve the error and it persists, follow the fixes below.

CPU Overheating

The black screen error, also known as the death error, is due to an overheating of the hardware components, usually the CPU, but sometimes it can be expected for other reasons. It is important to ensure the CPU is overheating, not some other components like GPU or memory RAM causing this issue.

The recommended temperature for your CPU is based on the environment your computer is situated in, but it is said that anything below 70 degrees is acceptable. The laptop CPU’s temperature can reach 80 degrees, but anything above that will be considered unstable and too hot.

• How To Check It?

You can easily check your computer’s CPU temperature using the Core Temp software utility, which allows you to monitor the temperatures of all cores in real time. Download and install the software from their official website and launch it to open the temperature readings. It will show you the processor model.

Dry Thermal Paste

Thermal paste is a silver or grey semi-liquid substance applied to the processor or chipset to eliminate heat. It transfers heat from the processor or chipset to the heatsink more efficiently. Thermal paste must be applied to your processor for it to work properly.

These thermal pastes don’t last forever; they dry up over time. It depends on the usage and how much heat it transfers, but the manufacturer’s thermal pads or pastes can last up to 7 years. Most common thermal pastes you apply to your computer’s processor require replacement after 2-3 years.

• How To Fix It?

You can easily apply thermal paste to your processor. Open your computer’s chassis, plug out the heatsink’s fan wire from the motherboard, and unscrew the 4 binding screws of the processor’s heatsink. Pull out the heatsink and clear the remains of dried thermal paste with a tissue. Do not use wet wipes.

Apply a very small amount of thermal paste at the center of your processor. It should look like a drop. Applying too much thermal paste can short-circuit your processor and motherboard, so be aware. After applying the thermal paste, place your heatsink and tighten up the screws. Inspect the after results.

Corrupt Or Un-Updated Windows

Windows are often corrupted due to an unlicenced version or incomplete installations. Misuse of some features or installation of cracked applications can also cause Windows to get corrupted over time because these applications or modifications replace, delete, and modify the system files.

Corrupt or old, un-updated Windows versions can lead to unnecessary open programs in the background; it also causes the system programs to run unstable using more RAM and CPU usage. More usage leads to higher and unstable temperatures that can dry up the thermal paste, causing the processor to overheat.

• How To Fix It?

Install a premium antivirus software, or update the Windows and Defender files using “Windows Update & Security Center.” To do that, open the settings by pressing the “Win + I” shortcut keys. Go to “Update & Security” and click the “Check for updates” button.

It will automatically locate the crucial updates over the internet network to download and install. Sometimes, it requires a restart for the updates to complete the installation process, so reboot your computer after it shows you the “Update and restart” option in the “Power” commands.

Malware And Virus Inflictions

Malware and virus inflictions into Windows files are the most common problems users face that corrupt Windows. These viruses can interfere with the applications and run unwanted files and programs that increase the usage of your CPU, thus increasing the CPU’s temperature.

Removing these viruses using Windows Defender or any trusted third-party software is necessary. Installing a fresh version of Windows will also eliminate the threats in your Windows files, increasing CPU usage by running useless and harmful background processes.

• How To Fix It?

Update your Windows and Defender files first, and run a “Quick scan” from the Windows Defender. Open your Windows Security from the settings. In the dashboard, open the “Virus & Threat Protection” tab and click the “Quick scan” button mentioned above. It will detect and eliminate the viruses permanently.

Overclocking

Overclocking is also the most common reason for a CPU to overheat. It involves increasing the potential default capability of your CPU to the maximum numbers, which increases the performance and usage; it will require more power and will have a higher temperature.

Suppose you have bought a used processor and don’t know much about overclocking. You can easily detect if the processor is already overclocked by using a third-party utility application that shows the real-time clock speed of the installed processor and then compares it to the default clock speed of your CPU. 

• How To Fix It?

Download and install the CPU-Z utility software from CPUID’s official website. Open the application, and it will show you the complete information about your CPU. In the bottom left corner, the “Clocks (Core #0)” graph will show the real-time core speed of your processor.

Suppose the core speed has a higher Megahertz value than the default core speed of your processor. Then, it means that the CPU has been overclocked. Some of the latest motherboards support overclocking on the CPU, which can be accessed using BIOS settings.

Blocked Air Vents

Blocked or dusty air vents of a computer’s chassis are the most problematic issues because they trap the heat inside, not letting it escape, causing a significant increase in the temperature of the CPU and all the installed components on the motherboard. Faulty or slow fan speed can also be the reason.

If you are building a custom PC, always use a case that supports good airflow mechanics to eliminate the heat faster. Fans play the most crucial role in eradicating heat; good airflow using fans can be the most efficient way to prevent CPU overheating issues. 

• How To Fix It?

Open the chassis of your computer, and make sure the fan of the CPU’s heatsink is running and blowing heat at a good rate. Clean the dust out of the system using an air blower or compressed air spray can. Most importantly, clean the air vents of your chassis because these parts collect most dirt from the air.

How Do I Know If My CPU is Damaged from Overheating?

The most common evidence of CPU damage is CPU throttling. CPU throttling is commonly used for a slow computer processor that provides an imperceptive and unstable performance. A slow processor will not perform the required tasks at the required time and speed. 

Your computer will also show a black screen error that can lead to a restart. The fan on the processor’s heatsink will also make excessive noise, and the system will continue to hang while performing tasks such as opening programs or starting a game. Heat can leave permanent damage to your CPU.

Conclusion

The black screen error due to overheating the CPU is also termed the death error, in which the screen goes black, resulting in a reboot. CPU overheats due to dry thermal paste, which can be easily replaced with a new and improved compound, which will help the heat to transfer faster from CPU to heatsink.

Corrupted or un-updated Windows can also run unstable background processes and programs. These can increase the computer’s CPU usage, consuming more power and increasing the temperature simultaneously. Avoid using unregistered Windows and cracked software.

Update to repair your Windows using Windows Update & Security Center, which will automatically detect, download, and install the missing and required files. Malware and viruses can also lead to high CPU usage due to unnecessary and harmful background processes.

Always keep your PC clean. An air blower or pressure spray can clean the components and air vents, preventing heat from escaping. It traps the heat inside the computer’s chassis, resulting in a significant increase in heat temperatures.