About Gateway Laptop Overheating

Certain Gateway laptops, as well as other brands, have an infamous reputation for overheating and abruptly shutting down. This can be frustrating and highly problematic, especially if you are in the middle of creating an important document or winning a game. Find out what you can do to solve and prevent this problem.

Significance

Laptops come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. Unlike their desktop counterparts, the components of various laptops are far less consistent. This means one laptop uses completely different equipment or technology than the next brand or model, different ways to bundle all those components inside the little cases, and different ways of cooling off. Because of this, certain models tend to overheat more often. If your laptop relies on a fan or drawing air through the case to cool, it will be more prone to overheating.

Effects

When your laptop relies on small holes in the case to ventilate and cool off, dust and dirt commonly accumulate in these openings. This will end up blocking your laptop's airflow, causing it to overheat and shut down. Environmental sources can cause these effects as well. If you expose your laptop to full sunlight for an extended period of time or lock it in your hot car, the heat will affect it. Other causes can be close proximity to a heater or radiator, or simply a dead fan motor.

Prevention/Solution

Clean dust and dirt from your laptop. Start by shutting it down completely, removing any cables and cords, and removing the battery pack. Use dry cotton swabs to clean out slots and small openings. Remove any covers over the fan or other components, and dust with swabs here as well. A can of compressed air with a long, thin, straw-like attachment will help you reach other dusty yet inaccessible areas. Replace the battery and other covers prior to turning your laptop back on.

Considerations

Specially made notebook pads sit beneath your laptop and safely draw heat away from it. These attachments are inexpensive, with prices ranging from under twenty dollars to around fifty dollars. They are easy to use, too. All you need to do is plug it into your laptop with a USB cable. Avoid using your laptop outside, especially on hot, sunny days. If your desk is near an east- or west-facing window, be sure to close the blinds or curtains, or consider rearranging your furniture.

Warning

If repeated overheating occurs, your laptop can become unstable or even stop working altogether, so take steps to remedy this problem right away. Do not force cotton swabs into tight areas when cleaning. You could damage sensitive components inside. Be careful when using compressed air to clean your laptop, especially near the motor fan. If the air spins the fan blades too much or too quickly it can actually damage the motor bearings. Likewise, don't invert the spray can during use. This can cause the liquid inside to become extremely cold, which can damage your laptop.

Resources

• Laptop Cooler Reviews and Ratings