Definition: Thermal throttling is a built-in safety feature. When the processor or graphics chip gets too hot, it automatically lowers its speed to cut heat. It protects the hardware, but your computer feels much slower while it’s happening.
How to recognise it
The laptop is quick when you first switch it on, then lags after a few minutes of work, gaming or video calls. Fans roar, the base feels hot, and games drop frames. In bad cases the computer shuts itself off to prevent damage.
Common causes
Dust-clogged fans and vents, dried-out thermal paste, a failing fan, or using the laptop on a bed or sofa that blocks the air intakes. A heavy workload in a hot room makes it worse.
How it’s fixed
Usually a full internal clean, fresh thermal paste and, if needed, a replacement fan. We test temperatures under load afterwards to confirm the throttling has stopped.
Related terms
→ Thermal Paste — the most common fix for throttling
→ GPU — graphics chips throttle too, especially in gaming
Laptop fast at first, then slow?
Free diagnosis to check temperatures and cooling, then a clear quote.