“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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September 24th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Hello,
My laptop (toshiba Satellite A50/110) shuts down suddenly every time as well. I have opened it and cleaned the cooling, although is was not dirty. The problem is not solved though!!. What should I do?
Regards,
Robbert van den Berg
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Hi I currentley own a satellite 1735 and i believe i am having simular problems such as “as im typing now and surfing the web the laptop runs fine but when i’m downloading updates my laptop will shut down. I know I should upgrade to something newer but Im one of those people who cant let things go plus the history I’ve had with my laptop for the past 8yrs that and its my first cpu also the whole can’t just afford to go out and buy a new system thing, besides I’m happy with it. So I was wondering if you had illistration guide on disassembly guide and if you know the part #s for a heatsink and a fan motor if I have to replace them. hope you can help thanks. Richard Jensen
September 21st, 2008 at 10:57 pm
John Downes,
If the laptop works properly with the old battery, even though it doesn’t hold the charge for long, but will not work with the new battery, apparently the new battery is defective.
September 21st, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I have purchased a new battery for a Toshiba T8200. When I plug in the power adapter the battery LED flashes with an orange colour. I left the T8200 on charge for hours but the LED continues to flash and when I try and use the T8200 on battery power it is dead as though the battery doesnt exist! I have tried to follow the new battery recalibration instructions but can’t seem to set the battery to empty (it always shows 100% charged). If I refit the orginal battery seems to charge but as it is old it doesn’t hold the charge for long. Is the new battery faulty? – Thanks – John Downes
September 13th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I have been given a toshiba portege 7010ct. At startup it momentarly shows blue screen, somehting about virus. It then stops on the select safe, normal etc. I have formatted to HDD by putting it in another toshiba laptop and loaded Windows XP but it still does not run other than what I described above. I have run regCure and registry mechanic which both found numerouse problems which they fixed but with the HDD back in my mchine it just goes in to the mode described above.
How do I fix this problem? Please
September 10th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I will try the things you recommend, however, my Toshiba Sattelite A215-S4757 laptop has done this since the very day we bought it. We have taken it back to Best Buy, had them look at it, they replaced all the memory, and lots of other things. Very Very frustrating. You would think as much as these things cost they would be much more dependable. I have lost so much work because of these sudden shut-downs.
September 9th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
BB,
If you delete system files, you can screw up the operating system.
I would prefer this method:
1. Back up all personal files.
2. Reinstall Windows from scratch using recovery discs.
September 9th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
BB,
To be honest, I’m doing the same with my ThinkPad T42. When I feel that my laptop runs hot, I just spray some canned air inside the fan grill on the side (there is no air intake on the bottom) while the laptop is on.
September 9th, 2008 at 7:50 am
I’m using Advanced windows care for pc maintenance. It allows a “find clone files” facility. When I run it, lots of clone files appear. Does anyone know if they are safe to delete even if they list the same file 2 times, should I delete 1. What if they are system files e.g dll? Thnx
September 9th, 2008 at 7:45 am
To free up HD spade, does anyone know how to delete files in C:\RECYCLER\NPROTECT, their size is upto 800mb each, their type is “.part file”?