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How to Lower High CPU Temperature in Windows 10 & 11?

8 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

A high temperature isn’t a good sign because it can lead to lower performance or in some cases permanent damage to your computer, so if you’re aWindows 10user, and you’re experiencing highCPUtemperature, you might want to learn more about it.

Users have reported lower performance which includes stuttering while watching multimedia, or while playing video games, and some users have even reported unexpected shutdowns. The unexpected shutdown isn’t a good sign because it means that yourCPUtemperature is too high and the computer shuts itself down in order to prevent any physical damage.

There are several ways you can check the temperature on your computer. If you’re familiar, you can enter BIOS and the computer temperature there, but if you’re not familiar how to do that, you can download software for yourWindows 10that will help you checkCPUtemperature in few clicks and with ease. Some of the apps for checkingCPUtemperature that we would recommend are: Speccy, HWiNFO, and SpeedFan. All of them are relatively easy to use, so you can easily checkCPUtemperature at any time.

On top of that, here are some more similar issues that are connected to highCPUtemperatures inWindows 10:

What to do if the CPU temperature gets high

1. Use the Power Troubleshooter and check for issues

The first thing we’re going to try is also the simplest one. We’ll just let the troubleshooter do the work for us. Here’s how to run the Power Troubleshooter inWindows 10:

2. Perform a Clean Boot

If you’re not familiar, Clean Boot lets you disable all the apps that might be starting with yourWindows 10. By default,Windows 10starts only the core applications that it needs, but as you install more software, that software sometimes automatically starts with your Windows, and sometimes it can cause highCPUusage as well as high temperature. So in order to disable all the non-core apps and processes that might be starting withWindows 10, you need to do the following:

3. Clean your CPU fan or change it

Sometimes CPU temperature issues are caused by dust that gets stuck in the fan, so you might need to clean it, or in some other cases, you might need to replace your CPU fan completely. If you don’t know how to do this, please contact an expert to do it for you.

4. Your hardware might not be compatible withWindows 10

Windows 10is still a new operating system and there could be certain issues with some hardware. Your motherboard or CPU might not work well together inWindows 10although they have worked fine in the previous versions of Windows. Changing your expensive hardware isn’t the best option, and we hope that Microsoft will release an update that will fix the hardware incompatibility issues in near future.

High CPU temperature onWindows 10, or any other Windows is a major concern, it can lead to unexpected shutdowns and other issues, and it can even cause permanent damage to your computer in some cases, so treat it with caution.

5. Run the SFC scan

The SFC scan is another troubleshooting tool we’re going to try. You can use this tool to resolve various issues inside the system. And by resolving system issues, hopefully, you’ll be able to cool down your computer, as well.

Here’s how to run the SFC scan inWindows 10:

6. Run DISM

And the last built-in troubleshooting tool we’re going to use is the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM). As its name says, this tool freshly deploys the system image and fixes some potential problems along the way. Hopefully, it’ll relieve us of the high CPU temperature.

Here’s how to run DISM inWindows 10:

7. Update BIOS

Keeping your BIOS up to date is essential for your computer’s functioning. If your BIOS version is outdated, it may interfere with some newer hardware drivers and cause unwanted issues, includingCPUoverheats.

Unfortunately, updating BIOS is a risky and complicated procedure. You can read more about it in ourHow to flash BIOSarticle. But remember to act with caution, or ask a professional to update your BIOS. If you make a wrong step, you may badly damage your system.

8. Turn off the integrated GPU

Chances are yourCPUfeatures an integrated GPU. Because most of the newerCPUsdo. And if you’re using a dedicated GPU, you don’t really need the integrated one. On top of that, having both GPUs turned on may rise theCPUtemperature. So, your best bet is to simply disable the integrated GPU, since you’re not using it.

Unfortunately, that’s not so simple and usually depends on your motherboard and configuration. That’s why we can’t post the exact instructions on how to disable your integrated GPU here. So, find out your motherboard andCPUmodel, and search the internet for the instructions on how to disable your integratedCPU.

9. Check for memory leaks

Memory leaks are a major foe of your computer’s performance. A memory leak caused by an app or program will drastically slow down your computer. However, it will also put extra pressure on yourCPU, therefore causing it to overheat. If you have no idea what memory leaks are, we have a lengthy explainer/guide on howwhat are memory leaksand how to fix them. So, make sure to check it out. Maybe there’s a memory leak in your system, and you don’t even know it.

10. Reinstall Windows

If none of the previous solutions worked, you probably should reinstall your system as a last resort. Maybe there’s something else inside that just keeps raising theCPUtemperature. So, the fresh installation might just be the best solution.

There are multiple ways to factory resetWindows 10, and if you don’t know any, check outour detailed guidefor additional info and tips.

ASUS Laptop high CPU

ASUS gaming laptops are the most frequent PC models with high CPU peaks. Here are some workarounds to help your ASUS laptop stop overheating:

☑️ Check the venting on the cooling assembly since there might be dirt/debris stuck in the cooling fins.☑️ Investigate if you can perform additional undervolting to reduce temperatures on startup.☑️ Limit the amount of graphical detail in your games, maybe even their resolution.☑️ CPU over temperature error liquid cooling indicates that it is most likely properly placed and that the cooler cannot cope with the heat produced by your CPU.☑️ Your liquid cooler is most likely faulty or has failed, therefore you should test its functionality, beginning with the pump. CPU over temperature error on boot and startup due to the thermal paste/grease being hardened, therefore it needs a replacement.

That’s about it, we certainly hope at least one of these solutions helped you resolve the problem with the highCPUtemperature. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, just let us know in the comments down below.

How to Lower High CPU Temperature in Windows 10 & 11?#

What to do if the CPU temperature gets high#

1. Use the Power Troubleshooter and check for issues#

2. Perform a Clean Boot#

3. Clean your CPU fan or change it#

4. Your hardware might not be compatible withWindows 10#

5. Run the SFC scan#

6. Run DISM#

7. Update BIOS#

8. Turn off the integrated GPU#

9. Check for memory leaks#

10. Reinstall Windows#