If your tablet is overheating, try this

Whether it’s an iPad Pro M5 that you use as your primary work computer or a cheap Android tablet that fits in your palm, all devices are prone to overheating if not treated properly. Tablets typically don’t have internal cooling fans, which means they rely on passive cooling to dissipate heat. This makes them quieter and more convenient to use, but it also means they have a harder time dealing with overheating. The main cause of tablet heating is an overloaded processor. This is especially true for older devices, tablets used for graphics-intensive work, and those from unknown manufacturers who may not care about proper cooling and heat optimization.

If you find that your device is constantly overheating, the first thing you should do is close background apps. Habitually closing apps gives your processor more room to breathe, leading to a reduction in internal heat. You can also configure it so that apps and background processes close automatically from your tablet settings. On an Android tablet, the feature is usually found in the battery or performance optimization settings. On an iPad, you can turn off background app refresh under General in Settings. There are also device-specific features that can help mitigate overheating. If you have a Samsung Galaxy Tab, you can disable RAM Plus.

There are a number of simple and straightforward habits that will ensure your tablet stays cool. First of all, keep the software up to date. Next, avoid long periods of graphics-intensive work like heavy gaming or video editing. If you notice that the back is getting hot, pause whatever you are doing and close all applications until it cools down. Since high brightness also causes heat, keeping it low can also contribute to overheating. Additionally, using a tablet on your lap or an equally soft surface can disrupt passive cooling, as it prevents air from flowing freely through the rear metal chassis. If you’re using something that might overload your processor, it’s a good idea to raise the tab and remove its protective case.

Additionally, since devices often heat up while charging, make sure you don’t use your tablet while it’s connected to a charger. We also recommend using only official chargers or those from reputable brands, as a cheap charger can overheat your device and cause battery issues. Of course, the temperature and climate of your location also affect the tendency of your tablet to overheat. You can’t change the outside temperature, but try to minimize heavy use if you’re in a particularly hot environment without a fan or AC, especially while charging.

There is nothing unusual about appliances getting hot. However, there are certain cases where this overheating is not natural and can be dangerous. If you’ve tried all the steps above but your tablet still heats up often, it may be time to consult a professional or purchase a new device.

The main sign that you need a new tablet is if it heats up even without any CPU-intensive tasks. If it gets hot during long gaming sessions or when using fast charging, especially if you live in a warmer environment, there’s probably no reason to worry. However, if your device heats up when you launch a game or during casual browsing, there is probably something that needs to be fixed. This also allows you to compare your current performance to your past performance; If your tablet could handle games well a while ago but suddenly overheats under the same load, it may be time to consider a new device.