An overheating laptop throttles performance, causes random shutdowns, and can permanently damage internal components. If your ASUS VivoBook 15 feels hot to the touch, the fans are constantly loud, or it shuts down during basic tasks, here's how to cool it down.
Clean the Vents and Fans
Dust buildup is the most common cause of overheating in the VivoBook 15. Use a can of compressed air to blow out the vents on the sides and bottom of the laptop. I'd avoid using a vacuum cleaner, as it can create static electricity that might harm the components. For a laptop that's a year or two old, a good cleaning can often drop temperatures significantly.
Use a Hard, Flat Surface
Never use your VivoBook on a bed, couch, or blanket. These soft surfaces block the bottom air intakes and trap heat against the plastic chassis. Always place it on a desk, table, or a solid lap desk. Even propping up the back with a book or two can dramatically improve airflow underneath.
Adjust Your Power Plan
Go to Start > Settings > System > Power & battery. Set the Power mode to Best power efficiency for everyday use. This reduces the processor speed and heat output. You can switch it to Best performance only when you need the extra power for more demanding applications.
Manage Startup and Background Apps
The VivoBook 15 often comes with pre-installed ASUS software that can run in the background. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and sort by CPU usage. Close anything you don't actively need. You can also go to Settings > Apps > Startup and disable programs you don't need running automatically when Windows boots.
Update Drivers with MyASUS
ASUS provides a dedicated tool for this. Open the MyASUS app on your laptop and check the Customer Support or Live Update section. Install any available BIOS, chipset, or graphics driver updates. These updates frequently include improvements to the fan control algorithm and thermal management.
Consider a Cooling Pad
A laptop cooling pad is a great investment for the VivoBook 15. The extra fans provide direct airflow to the bottom vents, which can lower internal temperatures by a noticeable margin. Look for a pad with fans that align roughly with where your laptop's own intakes are located.
Check for a Faulty WiFi Adapter
Some users have reported that the budget WiFi adapter in certain VivoBook 15 models can overheat or cause system instability. If you notice the laptop gets particularly hot during network-intensive tasks, try switching to a wired Ethernet connection temporarily to see if the temperature improves. Updating the wireless driver through MyASUS can also help.
Reduce Screen Brightness
The display is a major source of heat. Lowering the brightness is a quick and easy fix. You can use the brightness keys on your keyboard or go to Settings > System > Display to adjust the slider. This simple step reduces power draw and heat generation immediately.
Repaste the Thermal Compound
If your VivoBook is several years old and still runs hot after cleaning, the factory thermal paste may have dried out. Replacing it with a quality paste like Arctic MX-4 can dramatically improve heat transfer from the CPU and GPU to the cooler. This requires opening the bottom panel, so it's best for those comfortable with hardware or done by a professional.
Perform a System Health Check
The MyASUS app has a built-in diagnostic tool. Open MyASUS and look for a section called System Diagnosis or Hardware Settings. Run the fan test and system stability check. This can help identify if a fan is failing or if there's a sensor issue causing improper thermal management.