How to Fix an Overheating PC

An overheating PC will throttle performance, crash, or shut down automatically to protect components. The fix is usually straightforward.

Likely causes

• Dust blocking fans and heatsinks
• Dried-out thermal paste on the CPU
• Poor case airflow
• Fan failure
• Ambient room temperature too high
• Overclocked components

Step-by-step fix

1. 1
   Monitor temperatures first

   Download HWMonitor or Core Temp (free). CPU temperatures above 90°C under load indicate overheating. Idle should be below 50°C.

2. 2
   Clean your PC

   Shut down, unplug, and use compressed air to blow dust from all fans, heatsinks, and filters. This alone often solves overheating.

3. 3
   Improve cable management

   Tangled cables restrict airflow inside the case. Tie cables to the sides neatly using cable ties.

4. 4
   Check all fans are spinning

   Power on and visually check that the CPU fan, case fans, and GPU fan are all spinning. A failed fan must be replaced.

5. 5
   Reapply thermal paste

   If your PC is 3+ years old, the thermal paste on the CPU may have dried out. Clean the old paste with isopropyl alcohol and apply a small amount of fresh thermal paste.

6. 6
   Improve case ventilation

   Ensure the case has at least one intake fan (front) and one exhaust fan (rear or top). A case with no airflow will always overheat.

Frequently asked questions

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