How to Fix a Computer Running Hot

An overheating computer throttles performance and can cause permanent hardware damage. These steps will help you identify the cause and restore normal operating temperatures.

1. Check CPU and GPU temperatures. Download HWiNFO64 or Core Temp to monitor your system temperatures. Run the software and note the CPU and GPU readings under load. CPU temperatures above 80°C or GPU temperatures above 85°C indicate overheating.
2. Clean dust from fans and vents. Power down your computer and unplug it completely. Use compressed air to blow dust out of all intake and exhaust vents, CPU cooler fins, and graphics card fans. Hold fans still while cleaning to prevent damage from overspeeding.
3. Verify all fans are spinning. Power on your computer and visually inspect that all case fans, CPU cooler fan, and graphics card fans are rotating. Check BIOS or use MSI Afterburner to confirm fan speeds are responding to temperature changes.
4. Check thermal paste on CPU. If temperatures remain high after cleaning, remove the CPU cooler and inspect the thermal paste. Old paste appears dried, cracked, or separated. Clean off old paste with isopropyl alcohol and apply a rice grain-sized amount of new thermal paste.
5. Improve case airflow. Ensure proper airflow direction with intake fans at the front and bottom, exhaust fans at the rear and top. Remove any cables blocking airflow paths. Consider adding case fans if your system only has one or two.
6. Adjust power and performance settings. Open Windows Power Options and select Balanced or Power Saver mode instead of High Performance. In BIOS, enable CPU thermal throttling if disabled. Consider undervolting your CPU or GPU to reduce heat generation while maintaining performance.
7. Monitor and test the fix. Run stress tests like Prime95 and FurMark for 30 minutes while monitoring temperatures. Verify that CPU stays below 80°C and GPU below 85°C under sustained load. Check that the system remains stable without thermal throttling.