Have you ever been happily gaming on your tablet when suddenly you notice the screen and back of your device feels warmer than usual? Switching between apps feels slow and laggy and the camera flash stopped working. Then you are greeted by a warning that your device is overheating and about to shut off. Before you panic and buy a new tablet, here are a few things you can do to fix the problem.
First, let’s find out why your tablet is overheating. There could be a number of reasons why your tablet is too hot. Sometimes it can be fixed easily, and others may need repair from a professional. The number one reason why most tablets overheat is because the user is playing games that use heavy 3D graphics. Playing these sorts of games on your tablet uses a ton of power to render the complex visuals, and the result is a whole lot of heat coming from your tablet’s GPU.
But sometimes it’s not just one application causing a heat surge on your tablet. Network processes like location, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, they can all be spinning at full power to service apps still running in the background. Try disabling the functions and applications you aren’t using if you notice your tablet getting hot despite not doing a whole lot.
Another heat culprit can be traced back to your charger. Officially, you’re only supposed to use USB charging or the wall charger that was included when you bought your tablet. Using third-party chargers, cables, or power products designed for non-Apple/Android devices, especially over long periods of time, is just a recipe for disaster.
Another reason why your tablet may be overheating is the environment it’s in. If you’ve been sitting in the same spot on your tablet with direct sunlight shining on the rear or screen, heat is going to build up pretty quickly, even if it’s not an overly hot day. Just so you know, tablets don’t have a fan like laptops do, so there’s nothing that cools down the tablet if it does become hot. There’s also not a whole lot of exhaust vents or ports for heat to escape, so an overheating issue is only going to get worse until you give it a rest for a while.
If your tablet is getting a little toasty, there are a few little tricks you can try. Turn it off and turn it on again. A hard reset often fixes more than one nagging little issue. If your tablet is hot but still functioning, there are a few things you can do to try and reduce the temperature and keep it running. First, remove any connected chargers. Charging the battery is only going to add to the temperature, not help it cool down. Second, turn off any unneeded functions like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and location services. Finally, reduce your screen’s brightness to lower power consumption.
If you’ve left it too late and your tablet’s giving you the dreaded “tablet needs to cool down before you can use its screen” message, place your tablet in a cool spot out of direct sunlight and away from any heaters. Take off any cases, covers, or attachments you might have as these could be contributing to the problem. Wait for 10 to 15 minutes for the heat to dissipate and the tablet to regain function.
If after all this, you’re still having chronic episodes of your tablet overheating, it might be time to take it in for a repair. There might be an issue with one or more internal components that needs replacing. The only problem is the longer you wait, the longer other components of the tablet are exposed to heat damage.
Remember, never put your tablet in the fridge, freezer, or in front of an air conditioner. Doing this can cause condensation to build up inside your tablet, damaging the internal mechanisms, and voiding your manufacturer’s warranty. Room temperature is much safer.
In conclusion, keeping your tablet from overheating is easy if you follow these simple steps. Don’t use heavy 3D games, disable unneeded functions, use the correct charger, and keep your tablet away from direct sunlight, heaters, and extreme temperatures.