Laptop overheating and loud? What you can do yourself and when to go to a repair shop
A laptop that used to be quiet and now roars and burns your lap is, 9 times out of 10, simply full of dust. You can do some things yourself, no screwdriver needed.
- Most common cause
- dust in the heatsink and dried-out thermal paste
- Time
- 20 minutes
- Repair shop, if nothing helps
- 120–250 zł for cleaning and new paste
Don't vacuum the vents with a regular vacuum cleaner, because it builds up static electricity. When using compressed air, hold the fan still (for example with a toothpick through the grille) so it doesn't spin too fast. Opening a laptop that's still under warranty may void the warranty.
Step by step
Put the laptop on a hard surface
Duvets, sofas and your lap block the air intakes on the bottom. Simply putting the laptop on a desk or a stand lowers the temperature by a few degrees.
Check what is loading the processor
Windows: Ctrl+Shift+Esc → Task Manager → sort by CPU. Mac: Activity Monitor. If a program is using 30–100% of the processor for no reason, close it. It's often a browser with many tabs or an update running in the background.
Blow out the vents with compressed air
Turn the laptop off and unplug the charger. Blow out the exhaust vents (usually on the side or the back) in short bursts while holding the fan still. If dust comes out, there's a lot more of it inside.
Set the power mode to balanced
“Best performance” mode pushes the processor and fans harder. For office work and videos, balanced mode is enough. On gaming laptops, check the manufacturer's app (for example Armoury Crate or Legion Vantage) and use the quiet mode.
Update the BIOS and drivers
Manufacturers often improve fan curves in updates. Download them from the laptop manufacturer's website or through its app.
Consider a cooling pad
A pad won't fix a dusty heatsink, but it lifts the laptop and gives it more air. A good solution for gaming laptops and for working on your lap.
- The laptop shuts down on its own under load (games, video). That's overheating protection.
- The fan knocks, grinds or doesn't spin at all.
- The laptop is 2–3 years old and has never been cleaned inside. After that long, the thermal paste has usually dried out.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Cooling system cleaning + new paste | 120–250 zł |
| Gaming laptop (liquid metal, thermal pads) | 200–400 zł |
| Fan replacement | 150–350 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
Cleaning with new paste is one of the best-value “repairs”. For approx. 150–200 zł, the laptop is quieter, faster and lasts longer. You do it once every 2–3 years, and more often on gaming laptops.
Check if it's worth cleaning your laptop or replacing it
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Open the calculator →FAQ
What laptop temperature is normal?
At idle, the processor is usually at 40–60°C, and under load at 70–90°C. It's worse if it goes above 90°C during normal work or the laptop slows down (so-called throttling).
Can I replace the thermal paste myself?
If you have experience and the laptop is out of warranty, yes. You need a good screwdriver, plastic spudgers, isopropyl alcohol and paste. On many models you have to remove the entire motherboard. If it's your first time, it's better to go to a repair shop.
Is a cooling pad enough?
It helps, but it won't remove the dust inside. If the laptop still overheats with a pad, it's time for cleaning.