“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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October 6th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
I set both off the settings to what you suggested. Still it does the same thing. Im clueless I guess I have a toshiba paperweight now. Thank you for the suggestions!
October 6th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
I cannot find where to change the timing for system standby. I looked under all the tabs in the power management. I will try to set the lid close option to none and see what it does and let you know what happens. Thank You!
October 6th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Cjones,
Enter the power management utility. There should be a place where you can change timing for the system standby. Change it to “never” for the battery mode and AC mode. Does it make any difference?
Also, just in case, enter the advanced settings and find “when I close the lid of my computer” entry. Set it to “none”. If the lid close switch is malfunctioning, it should eliminate the problem.
October 6th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
I have a problem with my P25-s5262 . I know it is not overheating from experience with my A75. While im using the laptop it just goes to stand-by and then turns right back on. After it does it once it just keeps doing it every 5 minutes and then it will quit and run sometimes an hour before doing it again. I know when they overheat they just shut off completely. I think it may be something to do with software but Im afraid to run the restore dvd because if the machine goes to standby while restoring it could be a disaster. Do you have any idea what could be causing the laptop to go into stand-by over and over for no reason. Again thanks for the site !!!
October 6th, 2006 at 2:02 pm
Bret,
When you submitted the comment, you entered Toshiba Satellite P35-S6112 in the url field. I assume that’s your laptop. Satellite P35 heatsink designed similarly to Satellite A75 and this model tends to overheat because overtime the heatsink gets clogged with dust. When you play games, the CPU works harder and generate more heat. If the heatsink is clogged, the CPU will overheat. When CPU overheats, it slows down and the video might get laggy or freeze up completely. I think it might be your problem. Blow off the heatsink/fans with compressed air and see if it fixes the problem.
October 6th, 2006 at 11:34 am
I have to say I think the Toshiba EA60 55 is a problematic machine. The power connection broke on me last year – I think it’s a flaw in the design that it sticks out so much – and now it’s heating up too eaily and cutting out. I only have it 19 months after paying 900 euro so it’s hardly a reliable machine.
Great web page by the way and a great help. Thank you!
October 6th, 2006 at 2:34 am
I have tried to play video games on my computer, but for some reason every game I buy just freezes when I try and play it. I can play the games on my older dell that has even less memory for graphics. Any suggestions or anyone else run into the same problem.
October 5th, 2006 at 4:44 am
Here is an adapter that I recently purchased for $26.99 + shipping if this is of any use to anyone. It works fine. We have a Toshiba Satellite A45-3130, though it works with many Toshiba notebook models.
http://www.geeks.com/details.a.....38;cat=NBB
October 2nd, 2006 at 10:46 am
Cjones,
That’s strange; I guess Toshiba made a mistake. I just checked other adapters listed for Satellite P25-S5262 and found 2 more: K000006860 and K000040129. Sparepartswarehouse has first one for $76, you can find it faster if you google for the part number.
October 2nd, 2006 at 10:32 am
Ok I have two of these adapters. One that came with another laptop I have (toshiba a75-s226) it is part number PA3290U-2ACA . I also have the one I ordered for the p25-s5262 and it is part number PA3290U-1ACA. They both are the same size tip. I used the PA3290U-1ACA on the A75 and it fits fine(both adapters are interchangeable on the A75-S226). The PA3290U-1ACA is a generic ac adapter do you think that they just made a mistake when manufacturing thinking that because both had the same specs they were made the same. I can send pictures if you would like to show the two parts and tips. Thank you though for your speedy response