HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15-ec2xxx overheating 81 idle

[hamzak109]

My laptop keeps overheating and reaching temperatures up to 81-90 while idling. I've recently re-pasted my laptop and it still reaches the same temperatures, I've cleaned my fans and the heat sink and it still reaches 80 I have no idea what to do.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @hamzak109,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be glad to help you!

It sounds like your HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15-ec2xxx is experiencing persistent overheating issues, even after re-pasting the thermal compound and cleaning the fans and heatsink. Here are some additional steps to help address the overheating problem:

1. Check Power Settings and Performance Mode:

• Go to Settings > System > Power & sleep > Additional power settings.
• Click on Change plan settings for your active power plan, then Change advanced power settings.
• Find Processor power management > Maximum processor state and set it to 99% for both On battery and Plugged in to disable Turbo Boost.
• Also, set the Minimum processor state to 5% for both modes.

2. Control Fan Speed:

• Install a fan control utility like HWMonitor or SpeedFan. These tools allow you to manually adjust fan speeds to improve cooling.
• If your laptop supports HP Command Center or another manufacturer-specific software, use it to set the cooling preference to "Performance" or "Cool."

3. Undervolt the CPU:

• Use software like ThrottleStop or Intel XTU (Extreme Tuning Utility) (if you have an Intel CPU) or AMD Ryzen Master (if you have an AMD CPU) to undervolt the CPU.
• Undervolting can reduce heat generation without affecting performance significantly. Start with small increments (e.g., -0.05V) and test stability.

4. Check for Background Processes:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager and check for any background processes or apps consuming high CPU usage.
• Disable or uninstall any unnecessary startup programs or applications running in the background.

5. BIOS and Driver Updates:

• Visit the HP Support website and enter your laptop model number.
• Look for any available BIOS or firmware updates, as these may include improvements for thermal management.
• Update your graphics driver (NVIDIA/AMD) and chipset drivers, which can help optimize performance and reduce heat.

Please find the remaining steps in the next post.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @hamzak109,

Please find the remaining steps below.

6. Consider External Cooling:

• Use a laptop cooling pad to help dissipate heat more effectively. A cooling pad with multiple fans or an adjustable stand can improve airflow.

7. Disable Turbo Boost (Intel CPUs) or Precision Boost (AMD CPUs):

• Use the ThrottleStop tool (for Intel CPUs) or Ryzen Controller (for AMD CPUs) to disable Turbo Boost or Precision Boost.
• Disabling these boosts can lower the maximum clock speeds, reducing power consumption and heat.

8. Check for Malware:

• Run a full system scan using Windows Security or a reputable antivirus tool to ensure that malware isn't causing high CPU usage.

9. Check the Laptop Placement and Environment:

• Ensure your laptop is placed on a hard, flat surface to allow proper airflow. Avoid using it on soft surfaces like beds or sofas.
• Keep the room environment cool and well-ventilated.

10. Reapply Thermal Paste and Ensure Proper Application:

• If you recently re-pasted, ensure the thermal paste was applied correctly and evenly. Using too much or too little thermal paste can reduce its effectiveness.
• Consider using high-quality thermal paste, such as Arctic MX-4 or Noctua NT-H1, which provides better thermal conductivity.

11. Monitor and Test:

• Use software like HWMonitor, Core Temp, or MSI Afterburner to monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures in real time.
• Check if any specific process or app is causing spikes in temperature.

These steps should help reduce your laptop's temperature and improve its performance.

If the problem persists despite all these measures, there could be a deeper hardware issue, such as a faulty cooling system or thermal sensor. Consider contacting HP phone support for repair-service options.  

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.