Fix thermal shutdown error in Windows 10
Thermal shutdown prevents overloading and overheating of the processor. This is a cooling system designed to keep the system processor cool at all times. If the processor overheats, the system shuts down. If your system has crossed the cooling threshold and become too hot, your system may experience a thermal shutdown error. If you are someone who is looking for solutions to this problem, then you are in the right place. We will not only inform you about the solutions to the problem, but also introduce you to the causes of the thermal shutdown. So, let’s take a detailed look at the problems causing your system to heat up and the appropriate solutions for them.
How to fix the thermal shutdown error in Windows 10
The dominant and most common cause that causes the thermal shutdown error in Windows 10 is a faulty process cooling system. Apart from this, the reasons for the thermal shutdown have been explained in the paragraphs below:
- A dirty computer can cause the cooling system to become blocked by dust, resulting in an error.
- Another reason for a thermal shutdown could be overclocking, which along with increasing the clock frequency also increases the temperature.
- If the processor is installed incorrectly, this can also be the cause of the thermal shutdown issue.
- If an app or game does not have enough resources on your system, it can cause an error.
- A virus or malware in the system can also cause thermal shutdown issues.
Usually, the methods used to fix an overheating issue are physical methods such as cleaning the computer, checking the fan, and more. As simple as these solutions may seem, they are equally important in solving the problem. So, let's start by learning more about these troubleshooting methods first:
Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting Methods
Try the following basic and simple steps before moving on to more advanced methods:
1A. Check fans
The first and most important thing to check when overheating is the fan. It is also necessary to check if there are any obstacles near the vent that prevent it from performing its cooling function. If you are using a laptop, you can make sure its airflow is not obstructed by placing it on your lap instead of on a table.

1B. Check the environment
Another reason that usually remains untouched is concern for the environment in which the system operates. It has also been observed that too hot or humid environments affect the response of the systems. Therefore, if you are working in an overheated environment; this may result in a thermal shutdown error.
1C. Run a malware scan
The next troubleshooting method that can be applied as a solution to fix a thermal shutdown is to run a virus or malware scan on your system as a virus attack is also causing the problem. You can read our guide on how to run a virus scan on my computer to learn more.

1D. Uninstalling programs
If you recently installed a program or application on your system and have since started encountering the thermal shutdown issue, then the installed program may be the cause of the error. To exclude this possibility, you need to uninstall the program by doing the following:
1. Right-click the Windows icon on the screen and select Apps and Features.

2. Find a program (such as CCleaner) using the search list and click on it.

3. Select Delete.

4. Click "Delete" to confirm.

Method 2: Close background processes
The next thermal shutdown on the list of solutions for laptops is to check the CPU utilization of the system. The fan will run faster and the system will use more resources if certain programs or processes increase the load or take up more disk space. If this is the case, you can check the mentioned issues using the Task Manager.
1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys at the same time to open the Task Manager.
2. Check running processes in the Processes tab causing high CPU usage.

3. Right-click such a process (for example, Paint 3D) and select End task.

If the above steps didn't help you solve your CPU usage problem, you can read our guide on how to fix high CPU usage in Windows 10 to find out more.
Method 3: disable overclocking
The next decision we face is overclocking. As discussed in the reasons above, overclocking leads to overheating and eventually causes a bug. For this reason, disabling overclocking is critical to getting past the thermal shutdown bug and keeping your system cool. Below are the steps that can help you disable it:
1. Press the Windows + I keys at the same time to open Settings.
2. Then click "Update and security" in it.

3. Select Recovery from the left pane.
4. Click Restart Now.

5. When the system reboots, select Troubleshoot.

6. Then select More options.

7. Now click on UEFI Firmware Settings and select Restart.

8. After the system reboots, the BIOS will automatically open, select the Advanced tab in it.
9. Then click "Performance" and select "Overclocking".
10. Now turn off the overclock option.
11. Finally, press the f10 key to save the BIOS changes and then start the system normally.
This is one of the effective thermal shutdowns in laptop solutions.
Method 4: Increase RAM
The next method that can be helpful in resolving the thermal shutdown error is to increase the amount of RAM. It is possible that there is not enough RAM in your system and more space is needed due to less memory, this can lead to system slowdown, freezing or overheating and hence error. So, in such a case, increasing the RAM from 2 GB to 4 GB can help you. You can also check out our How to Check RAM Frequency in Windows 10 guide for more information about RAM on your system.

Method 5: Check the internal temperature
If none of the methods helped you resolve the thermal shutdown error issue, you can try checking your system's internal temperature using a third-party program. With it, you can compare the temperature of your system with the standard core temperature.
1. Open the Core Temp official website and download the software.

2. After installation, run the application and check the temperature before each core.
3. If your system's core temperature is above the standard temperature, which is in the range of 40 to 65 degrees Celsius (or 104 to 149 degrees Fahrenheit) and none of the fixes worked for you, you can check your system. equipment expert.
Pro Tip: Check Thermal Grease and Heat Sink
Thermal paste helps to drastically cool your system through the fan. If the ventilation system is working fine for your device, but you are still encountering the “Thermal shutdown in laptop solutions” error, then it is likely that the thermal paste on your process is not applied correctly. In this case, the processor may overheat and cause an error. Therefore, it is important to check the thermal paste and heatsink on your CPU:
1. Remove the fan by carefully removing the screws just above the processor.

2. Apply coolant to the top of the processor.
3. Now screw the fan back into place.
4. After a while, restart your PC.
Hence, it is a thermal shutdown in laptop solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What temperature is dangerous for a computer?
Answer If your system is operating below 65 degrees Celsius, you have nothing to worry about. But anything over 70 degrees Celsius is dangerous to your system and needs to be cooled down.
Q2. What is thermal shutdown in PC?
Answer A PC thermal shutdown occurs when the CPU or CPU temperature reaches a critical level, causing the system to automatically shut down to prevent permanent damage.
Q3. What is meant by thermal shutdown?
Answer The thermal release is a bimetal thermal overload protection device in the system. This causes the circuit breaker to trip with a delay.
Q4. What happens if my computer overheats for a long time?
Answer Overheating the system for a longer period causes the computer to become unstable and eventually shut down. It can also lead to potential component damage.
Q5. How long does thermal paste last?
Answer Thermal paste lasts about 2-3 years in the case of conventional connections. While for more expensive formulations, the limit is 7 years.
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We hope our guide has helped you in every possible way to fix the thermal shutdown error and find out what is causing the thermal shutdown. Let us know which method helped you the most in solving the problem. If you have more questions or have valuable suggestions, please leave a comment for us.