HP Pavilion Laptop 16-abxxxx overheating at 30% CPU load

[alihas7621]

I bought this laptop about a week ago and it is already overheating, reaching temperatures as high as 100 degrees Celsius at just 30% use. That can't be normal right? I assume there is something wrong with the cooling system so I have decided to return the laptop and get a new one which hopefully doesn't overheat. Anyone else who has had a similar issue? I would think that brand new laptops from 2023 would have appropriate cooling systems for their CPUs. Note that only the CPU is overheating, potentially an issue with the thermal paste? Maybe improper contact with the cooling system? I have run all the tests in the UEFI and every test passed. I have updated the BIOS after contacting HP support (which was a pretty tedious experience by the way, two days later and I just received a reply) and I have turned on every setting that concerns fan performance and gaming mode. Hopefully there was an issue with the assemblance of this laptop and it won't reoccur once I get a replacement. 

[Raj_05 · Accepted solution]

Hi @alihas7621,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It’s definitely unusual for a new laptop to overheat at such a low load. Overheating at 100°C with only 30% CPU usage suggests there might be an issue with the cooling system or thermal management. Here are some possible causes and steps to consider.

• Thermal Paste and Contact: Improper application of thermal paste or poor contact between the CPU and cooling system can cause overheating. Since you mentioned the issue started with a new laptop, it's possible there was a problem with the thermal paste application or cooler installation during assembly.
• Cooling System Issues: The cooling system might not be effectively dissipating heat. Check if the fans are working correctly and if there's any dust or obstruction in the vents.
• BIOS Settings: Although you’ve updated the BIOS and adjusted fan settings, make sure that any power-saving features or thermal management options are optimized for your use case.
• Drivers and Software: Sometimes, overheating issues can be linked to outdated or incompatible drivers. Ensure all drivers, especially those related to the chipset and graphics, are up to date.
• Background Processes: Check for any background processes or software that might be putting extra load on the CPU, even when you’re not actively using demanding applications.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support