We’re set for record breaking hot temperatures this week all over the UK! Although it’s crucial to keep yourselves and your pets cool and safe – it’s important to not forget about your technology. High temperatures can cause damage to your devices or completely break them. It’s like heatstroke, but for your electronics! Here are some tips to keep your technology cool in summer and the signs of overheating to look out for.
Know The Signs
Although iPhones display a temperature warning when they get too hot, other models of tech do not, so you need to know the signs. Other than your device being physically hot, other signs can include apps and programmes freezing, devices shutting down unexpectedly and basic tasks taking a lot longer than usual to perform. In addition to this, if your laptop fan is extremely loud it could be another sign it is overheating.
To prevent your devices from overheating, follow these simple tips during the summer months:
1. Keep your device out of direct sunlight
This tip seems quite self-explanatory, but you’d be surprised at how many people leave their devices out in direct sunlight when they’re sunbathing in the garden, at the beach or at a picnic. Taking simple actions such as placing your phone under a towel, keeping your tech away from windows, and ensuring your rooms are well ventilated can really help. Furthermore, if you use your phone for directions in the car, it is advised to listen to the directions through your in-car speaker and store your phone somewhere cool, instead of placing it on your car dashboard.
2. Don’t cover your computer’s vents
Your laptop and computer have fans located inside of them to help cool themselves down. If these get blocked, the air inside the device cannot travel properly, resulting in your computer overheating. For example, if you use your laptop on a soft or uneven surface like a bed, pillow or your lap, this can reduce or even block the airflow. It’s best to make sure your computer’s vents have plenty of space around them and use it on a hard, flat surface so the device can breathe. Also, it may be worthwhile to invest in a laptop cooling pad, which works as an external fan for your laptop. They are relatively inexpensive and can connect via the USB port in your device, you can take a look here.
3. Change your settings
Although it is advised to keep technology usage to a minimum in hot temperatures, if you do need to use your devices, it’s worth looking at your current settings. A lot of phones and devices have auto brightness turned on, which means your phone will automatically turn up the brightness to the maximum when you go outside. This uses more energy, and so increases the temperature of your device. You can turn off this setting in the majority of phone models. For iPhone, go to Settings, Accessibility, then click Display & Text Size. If you scroll to the bottom you can then switch off Auto-Brightness. For Android models, go to Settings, Display and Brightness and switch off Automatic.
You could also put your device on airplane mode and remember to close any tabs you aren’t using, to help reduce energy use and keep temperatures to a minimum.
4. Don’t leave your phone in your pocket
When you leave your phone in your pocket, it is often pressed against your skin, absorbing your body heat. If you’re out and about, it’s best to carry your phone in your bag and if you’re working, keep it on your desk with plenty of space around it. It can also help to remove your phone case, as in hot weather they act as a jacket for your phone. If your device starts to overheat, the heat will be trapped inside the phone case which can cause damage.
5. If in doubt, shut it down!
If your smartphone is getting uncomfortably hot, or your laptop is running a lot slower than usual, it’s best to switch off your device and avoid usage until it has fully cooled down. Usually this will take around 15 minutes, but it could take longer. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t rush the cooling process either. Rapid temperature changes can cause a lot of internal damage to your devices, so don’t throw your phone in the freezer!!
Conclusion
When it comes down to your devices overheating, a little prevention goes a long way! These simple tips will ensure your devices don’t overheat in the short term whilst we’re experiencing these high temperatures. If you try all of these and find your device is still overheating, it’s worth getting it checked by a professional as something more complex may be the cause.
We hope you enjoy the sunshine, but make sure you stay hydrated and stay safe 😊