“My Toshiba laptop suddenly shuts down by itself without any warning. Sometimes it works fine for hours, sometimes it shuts down in 10-15 minutes.” This complaint we hear from our customers over and over again. About 15-20% of all Toshiba laptops we get for repair, suffer from an overheating problem. Yep, OVERHEATING!
This is one of the most common problems with Toshiba laptops we deal with.
Indications of laptop overheating problem:
- The keyboard and the bottom of your laptop are very hot when the laptop is working.
- The CPU fans are working all the time at maximum rotation speed and operate much louder than before.
- The laptop suddenly shuts down by itself without warning. When it just started, the laptop was shutting down after 1-2 hours and how it shuts down after 5-10 minutes of operation.
- The laptop works fine when it runs idle, but shuts down as soon as you start using any memory demanding applications (DVD player, image editing software, video editing software, etc.).
Solution:
If the CPU heatsink is not clogged with dust and lint completely, you can use canned air and just blow it inside the laptop through the openings on the bottom and on the sides. It’s nice as a precaution measure, but it might not work if your laptop already has a problem and the heatsink is completely clogged.
- Open the laptop case, so you can access the CPU fan and the heatsink. In some cases you can access the heatsink through the latch on the bottom of the laptop. Sometimes (for example Toshiba Satellite A70/A75) you have to open the laptop case all the way down.
- Carefully disconnect the fan cables on the system board and remove the fan. If the fan makes unusual sound when it spins (grinding sound), I would recommend to replace the fan.
- Clean the fan and the heatsink with compressed air.
- I would also recommend removing old thermal grease from the CPU and applying new grease for better heat conductivity.
UPDATE: I just received a nice tip from MC N’Colorado. I think it could be useful for all of you with guys:
I decided to use a shop vac to suck the dust out and it worked. I tested it by letting the machine run all night and it worked. It’s been a couple of weeks now and I’m glad I did it. I was ready to take the machine apart, now I’m glad I didn’t. I’d suggest you use a heavy duty shop vac to clean out the fan and heat sinks first.
I agree. Try to fix the problem without taking the laptop apart first but I would recommend using a powerful air compressor instead of a vacuum cleaner.
If your laptop is still under warranty, you can take it to any Toshiba Authorize Service Provider and fix the problem at no charge to you.
Toshiba laptop disassembly guides with pictures and instructions.
Toshiba Satellite A15 Clogged Heatsink
Toshiba Satellite A35 Clogged Heatsink
Toshiba Satellite P15 Clogged Heatsink. Absolute champion!
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July 30th, 2006 at 2:58 am
Already sent it for repair. Will update
July 29th, 2006 at 12:37 pm
TRE2K3,
Apparently, the systemboard is bad.
In this model the battery connects directly to the systemboard, the power switch is located on the systemboard and the memory is integrated into the system board.
July 29th, 2006 at 3:59 am
My Toshiba A65 was sent to get repaired because it wouldn’t turn on. The person said the AC is not broken, power is going through, and the voltage is ok, but the it still wouldn’t power up nor charge battery. What can be the problem.
July 28th, 2006 at 9:46 pm
Fadi,
It is not necessary to replace the heatsink, just clean up the surface that contacts the CPU.
There are a few LCD screens for this model:
Samsung Part#: P000367840
LG Philips: P000367850
CMO: P000367860
LG Philips: P000367860
There are also three Sharp screens, but they require a special insulator.
Here are part numbers for the screen: P000367870, P000379090, P000383670
July 28th, 2006 at 8:21 am
Hey there, guys.
First off, I think it’s great that you provide these guides for everyone out there.
I’ve read through the guide and comments, and I’m almost sure that I need a new application of thermal paste. I have a Toshiba A15-S129, and I’ve disassembled (pretty easily) into the heatsink and found this:
http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....C00778.jpg
The color on this looks off, probably from oxidation or something like that. My question is: should I replace this part? Could this discoloration be a compromise to my cooling system?
One last thing, if you wouldn’t mind. Could you give a Model# for a replacement LCD screen for me? My Toshiba’s Part# is: PSA10U-0ZH6MV
Much thanks in advance for the help.
July 27th, 2006 at 11:00 pm
Angie,
Hard to say what is wrong only by the description you’ve provided. It could be a dead memory, dead CPU or something else. Try to remove the battery and start the laptop just using the AC power. If you have an extra memory module, try to remove it and turn on the laptop.
July 27th, 2006 at 4:04 am
Hi cj2600! Yes, it won’t turn on at all. When you plug the AC adapter, the only lights that turn on are the 2 left green lights, the 3rd one doesn’t light up. When you try turning on the laptop, one fan just hums, and the power button won’t turn on also. Do you have any idea why this happened? The only problem I encountered with the laptop, like everyone else, is the shutdown problem when the laptop overheats.
July 26th, 2006 at 9:39 pm
Angie,
Your laptop is completely dead? When you plug it the AC adapter, do you get any LED lights? I think that you still should be able turn on the laptop even though one fan not working.
July 26th, 2006 at 7:22 pm
Andy,
It’s not an odd think to ask. I’ve seen some heat sinks full of animal’s fur. One of our customers has a cat and she brings her laptop for cleaning every three-four months. May be here cat sleeps on the laptop?
July 26th, 2006 at 5:56 am
Hi! I own a Satellite A75 S209. I’ve had it for around a year now, and one day one of the fans suddenly stop working, and now my laptop won’t even turn on. What do you think is the problem, and do you think my documents and files will be lost because of this?