Use the Dell Power Manager app to make your laptop cooler or quieter or increase performance
Computer Heat and Fans
A computer generates heat while it's working and it will become hotter the harder it works. Feeling heat on a laptop is normal but it shouldn't be too hot to touch. To ensure your laptop does not overheat and is safe to hold, there is a fan inside to blow out the heat. The fan will operate when needed; when operating you will hear the fan and feel hot air coming out of the laptop vent.
There are a few simple recommendations to keep your laptop functioning properly.
- Avoid using your laptop in direct sunlight. This will make your laptop even hotter and cause the fan to work harder and louder.
- Ensure your laptop's vents are clear. Typically air will be drawn in using a vent underneath the laptop and out through the side.
- Always place a laptop on a hard surface. A soft surface may suck the material covering the intake vent and blocking air from getting in.
- Avoid using your laptop on your lap! This is to prevent clothing from blocking the intake vent and prevent your legs from being burned.
- Make sure the laptop is raised on its rubber feet to allow air to be drawn in underneath. If you spot one or more feet are missing from the bottom of the laptop please raise a support ticket to report and replacement feet will be provided.
- Shutdown your laptop when you are not using it, like overnight, rather than using sleep or shutting the lid.
How do I restart or shutdown my Windows computer? >- Do not leave your laptop on when it's inside a laptop bag as it will not be able to draw in fresh air to keep it cool and your laptop may overheat.
Warning: Overheated laptops can affect performance and blocked or failed fans can damage your laptop. If you suspect your fan is not functioning correctly please try changing the configuration with Dell Power Manager first (see below). Raise a support ticket if this does not resolve your issue.
Configure your fan with Dell Power Manager
- Select the Windows Start menu
and type Dell Power Manager or find it under All apps
- If you can't find it please raise a support ticket and the IT Team will install it for you.
- Open Dell Power Manager
- Select Thermal Management
- Choose your desired setting:
| Setting | Temperature | Noise | Performance |
| Optimized | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced |
| Cool | Cooler | Louder | Reduced |
| Quiet | Hotter | Quieter | Reduced |
| Ultra Performance | Hotter | Louder | Increased |
