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How to Cool A Laptop While Gaming?

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8 min read
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Best Laptop Cooling Solutions to Buy in January 2026

1 havit HV-F2056 15.6"-17" Laptop Cooler Cooling Pad - Slim Portable USB Powered (3 Fans), Black/Blue

havit HV-F2056 15.6"-17" Laptop Cooler Cooling Pad - Slim Portable USB Powered (3 Fans), Black/Blue

  • ULTRA-PORTABLE DESIGN FOR ON-THE-GO PROTECTION AND CONVENIENCE.

  • ERGONOMIC STAND WITH ADJUSTABLE HEIGHTS FOR ULTIMATE COMFORT.

  • EXTRA USB PORTS FOR EXPANDED CONNECTIVITY AND DEVICE SUPPORT.

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$27.99 $39.99
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havit HV-F2056 15.6"-17" Laptop Cooler Cooling Pad - Slim Portable USB Powered (3 Fans), Black/Blue
2 Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad, Laptop Cooler with 5 Quiet Fans for 12"-17" Computer PC Notebook Gaming Laptop Fan, Height Adjustable Laptop Cooling Stand Laptop Accessories, Blue

Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad, Laptop Cooler with 5 Quiet Fans for 12"-17" Computer PC Notebook Gaming Laptop Fan, Height Adjustable Laptop Cooling Stand Laptop Accessories, Blue

  • WHISPER-QUIET OPERATION: FOCUS IN PEACE WITH SUPER QUIET FAN TECHNOLOGY.

  • ENHANCED COOLING PERFORMANCE: CONTROL 5 POWERFUL FANS FOR OPTIMAL COOLING.

  • DUAL USB HUB: EXPAND CONNECTIVITY WITH BUILT-IN DUAL USB PORTS.

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$25.99 $32.99
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Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad, Laptop Cooler with 5 Quiet Fans for 12"-17" Computer PC Notebook Gaming Laptop Fan, Height Adjustable Laptop Cooling Stand Laptop Accessories, Blue
3 AICHESON Laptop Cooling Pad 5 Fans Up to 17.3 Inch Heavy Notebook Cooler, Blue LED Lights, 2 USB Ports, S035, Blue-5fans

AICHESON Laptop Cooling Pad 5 Fans Up to 17.3 Inch Heavy Notebook Cooler, Blue LED Lights, 2 USB Ports, S035, Blue-5fans

  • ERGONOMIC DESIGN: 4 ADJUSTABLE HEIGHTS TO RELIEVE NECK AND BACK PAIN.
  • POWERFUL COOLING: 5 FANS WITH ADJUSTABLE AIRFLOW FOR OPTIMAL COOLING.
  • CONVENIENT PORTS: INCLUDES 2 USB PORTS FOR EXTRA CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS.
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$18.69 $32.99
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AICHESON Laptop Cooling Pad 5 Fans Up to 17.3 Inch Heavy Notebook Cooler, Blue LED Lights, 2 USB Ports, S035, Blue-5fans
4 KLIM Wind Laptop Cooling Pad - More Than 500 000 Units Sold - New Version - The Most Powerful Rapid Action Cooling Fan - Laptop Stand with 4 Cooling Fans at 1200 RPM - USB Fan - PS5 PS4 - Blue

KLIM Wind Laptop Cooling Pad - More Than 500 000 Units Sold - New Version - The Most Powerful Rapid Action Cooling Fan - Laptop Stand with 4 Cooling Fans at 1200 RPM - USB Fan - PS5 PS4 - Blue

  • MAXIMIZE PC LIFESPAN: PREVENTS OVERHEATING & BOOSTS PERFORMANCE!
  • POWERFUL COOLING: 4 SILENT FANS COOL YOUR LAPTOP IN UNDER A MINUTE!
  • BONUS EBOOK: GET TIPS TO ENHANCE YOUR COMPUTER'S PERFORMANCE!
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$21.97
KLIM Wind Laptop Cooling Pad - More Than 500 000 Units Sold - New Version - The Most Powerful Rapid Action Cooling Fan - Laptop Stand with 4 Cooling Fans at 1200 RPM - USB Fan - PS5 PS4 - Blue
5 Laptop Cooling Pad, Laptop Cooler 6 Quiet Fans for 12"-17" Laptops, Gaming Laptop Fan Cooling Pad with 5 Height Adjustable, Slim Portable USB Powered, 2 USB Ports & Phone Holder

Laptop Cooling Pad, Laptop Cooler 6 Quiet Fans for 12"-17" Laptops, Gaming Laptop Fan Cooling Pad with 5 Height Adjustable, Slim Portable USB Powered, 2 USB Ports & Phone Holder

  • HIGH-SPEED COOLING: 6 FANS DELIVER SPEEDY HEAT DISSIPATION FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE.

  • QUIET OPERATION: UNDER 30DB NOISE LEVEL ENSURES FOCUSED GAMING AND WORK.

  • ERGONOMIC DESIGN: 5 ADJUSTABLE HEIGHTS FOR COMFORT DURING LONG SESSIONS.

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$35.99
Laptop Cooling Pad, Laptop Cooler 6 Quiet Fans for 12"-17" Laptops, Gaming Laptop Fan Cooling Pad with 5 Height Adjustable, Slim Portable USB Powered, 2 USB Ports & Phone Holder
6 ChillCore Laptop Cooling Pad, RGB Lights Laptop Cooler 9 Fans for 15.6-19.3 Inch Laptops, Gaming Laptop Fan Cooling Pad with 8 Height Stands, 2 USB Ports - A21 Blue

ChillCore Laptop Cooling Pad, RGB Lights Laptop Cooler 9 Fans for 15.6-19.3 Inch Laptops, Gaming Laptop Fan Cooling Pad with 8 Height Stands, 2 USB Ports - A21 Blue

  • EFFICIENT COOLING: 9 SUPER FANS COOL YOUR LAPTOP FOR OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE.

  • ERGONOMIC DESIGN: 8 HEIGHT ADJUSTMENTS ENHANCE COMFORT AND REDUCE FATIGUE.

  • CUSTOMIZABLE RGB: ENJOY 10 LIGHTING MODES FOR A VIBRANT GAMING ATMOSPHERE.

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$36.98
ChillCore Laptop Cooling Pad, RGB Lights Laptop Cooler 9 Fans for 15.6-19.3 Inch Laptops, Gaming Laptop Fan Cooling Pad with 8 Height Stands, 2 USB Ports - A21 Blue
7 Targus 17 Inch Dual Fan Lap Chill Mat - Soft Neoprene Laptop Cooling Pad for Heat Protection, Fits Most 17" Laptops and Smaller - USB-A Connected Dual Fans for Heat Dispersion (AWE55US)

Targus 17 Inch Dual Fan Lap Chill Mat - Soft Neoprene Laptop Cooling Pad for Heat Protection, Fits Most 17" Laptops and Smaller - USB-A Connected Dual Fans for Heat Dispersion (AWE55US)

  • STAY COOL AND COMFORTABLE: ERGONOMIC DESIGN WITH DUAL FANS!

  • DUAL USB CONNECTION: POWER FANS AND CONNECT DEVICES EASILY!

  • CUSHIONED SUPPORT: SOFT NEOPRENE MATERIAL FOR LAP COMFORT!

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$25.99 $39.99
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Targus 17 Inch Dual Fan Lap Chill Mat - Soft Neoprene Laptop Cooling Pad for Heat Protection, Fits Most 17" Laptops and Smaller - USB-A Connected Dual Fans for Heat Dispersion (AWE55US)
8 TECKNET Laptop Cooling Pad, Portable Slim Quiet USB Powered Laptop Notebook Cooler Cooling Pad Stand Chill Mat with 3 Blue LED Fans, Fits 12-17 Inches (Black)

TECKNET Laptop Cooling Pad, Portable Slim Quiet USB Powered Laptop Notebook Cooler Cooling Pad Stand Chill Mat with 3 Blue LED Fans, Fits 12-17 Inches (Black)

  • TRI-FAN COOLING: 3 POWERFUL FANS PREVENT OVERHEATING WHILE GAMING.
  • USB POWERED: EASY SETUP WITH DUAL USB PORTS FOR CONVENIENCE.
  • ERGONOMIC DESIGN: ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT FOR BETTER COMFORT AND VIEWING.
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$24.89 $29.99
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TECKNET Laptop Cooling Pad, Portable Slim Quiet USB Powered Laptop Notebook Cooler Cooling Pad Stand Chill Mat with 3 Blue LED Fans, Fits 12-17 Inches (Black)
9 llano V12 RGB Laptop Cooling Pad, Gaming Laptop Cooler with 5.5 Inch Powerful Turbofan, Fast Cooling Laptop 15.6-21in, Adjustable Speed, Touch Control, LCD Screen, Black (RGB)

llano V12 RGB Laptop Cooling Pad, Gaming Laptop Cooler with 5.5 Inch Powerful Turbofan, Fast Cooling Laptop 15.6-21in, Adjustable Speed, Touch Control, LCD Screen, Black (RGB)

  • ULTRA-FAST COOLING: 360° COOLING IN SECONDS-NO DELAYS, NO FLICKERS!

  • CUSTOMIZABLE RGB: 10 MODES & COLORS FOR AN IMMERSIVE GAMING SETUP.

  • USER-FRIENDLY CONTROLS: TOUCH BUTTONS FOR EASY ADJUSTMENTS WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS.

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llano V12 RGB Laptop Cooling Pad, Gaming Laptop Cooler with 5.5 Inch Powerful Turbofan, Fast Cooling Laptop 15.6-21in, Adjustable Speed, Touch Control, LCD Screen, Black (RGB)
10 KeiBn Laptop Cooling Pad, Gaming Laptop Cooler 2 Fans for 10-15.6 Inch Laptops, 5 Height Stands, 2 USB Ports (S039)

KeiBn Laptop Cooling Pad, Gaming Laptop Cooler 2 Fans for 10-15.6 Inch Laptops, 5 Height Stands, 2 USB Ports (S039)

  • RAPID COOLING: DUAL FANS AND METAL MESH FOR FAST OVERHEATING PREVENTION.
  • ERGONOMIC DESIGN: FIVE ADJUSTABLE HEIGHTS FOR OPTIMAL COMFORT AND USE.
  • VERSATILE PORTS: TWO USB 2.0 PORTS FOR EASY CONNECTIVITY WITH DEVICES.
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$15.98
KeiBn Laptop Cooling Pad, Gaming Laptop Cooler 2 Fans for 10-15.6 Inch Laptops, 5 Height Stands, 2 USB Ports (S039)
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ONE MORE?

When it comes to gaming, laptops can sometimes overheat due to the heavy demands placed on the hardware. This can potentially lead to performance issues and even damage to the internal components. Cooling your laptop while gaming is essential to maintain optimal performance and prevent any potential issues. Here are a few ways you can cool your laptop while gaming:

  1. Use a cooling pad: A cooling pad is a stand with built-in fans that helps improve air circulation around your laptop. It assists in dissipating heat and keeps your laptop cooler, allowing for better gaming performance.
  2. Elevate the laptop: Elevating the laptop slightly can help improve airflow and prevent the accumulation of heat. Using a laptop stand or propping it up on a book can create space underneath for better ventilation.
  3. Clean the vents and fans: Over time, dust and debris can accumulate in the laptop's vents and fans, obstructing proper airflow and causing overheating. Regularly cleaning these areas can help improve cooling efficiency.
  4. Avoid obstructing vents: Ensure that the laptop's vents are not blocked or obstructed by any objects, such as pillows, blankets, or clothing. This allows the hot air to escape freely from the laptop.
  5. Optimize your gaming settings: Adjusting the in-game settings can significantly reduce the strain on your laptop's hardware, resulting in less heat generation. Lowering the graphics settings and frame rates can help keep the laptop cooler.
  6. Manage background applications: Close any unnecessary applications running in the background, as they can consume resources and generate additional heat. Prioritize gaming by closing any apps or processes that are not needed while you play.
  7. Limit multitasking: Running multiple resource-intensive tasks simultaneously puts additional strain on your laptop, leading to increased heat generation. To cool down your laptop, try to avoid multitasking while gaming.
  8. Avoid direct sunlight and hot environments: Exposing your laptop to direct sunlight or keeping it in a hot environment can drastically increase its internal temperature. Find a cool and well-ventilated area to set up your gaming space.

Remember, cooling your laptop while gaming is crucial for its longevity and performance. By implementing these methods to keep your laptop cool, you can enjoy uninterrupted gaming sessions while minimizing the risk of overheating.

How to prevent laptop overheating during gaming sessions?

There are several steps you can take to prevent laptop overheating during gaming sessions:

  1. Ensure proper ventilation: Make sure the laptop is placed on a hard and flat surface that allows air to circulate freely around it. Avoid using the laptop on soft surfaces like beds or couches, as they can block the vents and trap heat.
  2. Clean the cooling system: Dust and debris can accumulate in the laptop's cooling system over time, hindering airflow and causing overheating. Regularly clean the vents and cooling fans using compressed air or a soft brush to remove any buildup.
  3. Use a cooling pad: Invest in a laptop cooling pad that sits underneath your laptop and enhances airflow. These pads usually have built-in fans that help dissipate heat and keep the laptop cool.
  4. Limit background processes: Close any unnecessary programs or processes running in the background to reduce the strain on your laptop's CPU and GPU. This will help prevent excessive heat generation during gaming.
  5. Adjust power settings: Lowering the screen brightness, setting the cooling policy to "active" in the power settings, and using the "high-performance" power plan can help reduce heat production and optimize performance.
  6. Manage graphics settings: Lower the graphics settings of your games to reduce the workload on the GPU. High graphic settings demand more processing power, generating more heat.
  7. Monitor temperature: Use software tools to monitor the temperature of your laptop during gaming. If you notice it consistently reaching high temperatures, take breaks to let it cool down or consider investing in additional cooling solutions.
  8. Overclocking caution: Overclocking the laptop's components can increase heat production. If you overclock, ensure that you have sufficient cooling measures, or consider dialing back on the overclock settings.
  9. Update drivers and firmware: Keeping your laptop's drivers and firmware up to date can help ensure optimal system performance and temperature management.
  10. Consider external cooling solutions: If your laptop continues to overheat despite taking the above measures, you might want to explore additional cooling solutions such as laptop cooling stands or external fans.

It's important to note that if your laptop consistently overheats even with these precautions, it may be worthwhile to consult a professional technician to diagnose and resolve any underlying hardware issues.

How to prevent the laptop from shutting down due to overheating while gaming?

Here are a few tips to help prevent your laptop from shutting down due to overheating while gaming:

  1. Use a cooling pad: A cooling pad can help increase airflow around your laptop and prevent overheating. It typically has built-in fans that provide additional cooling.
  2. Clean the vents and fans: Over time, dust and debris can accumulate in the vents and fans, reducing airflow and causing overheating. Regularly clean these areas using compressed air or a soft brush.
  3. Monitor your temperature: Make use of software that monitors your laptop's temperature while gaming. This way, you can keep an eye on the temperature levels and take necessary steps if it gets too hot.
  4. Adjust your graphics settings: Lowering the graphics settings in your games can help reduce the strain on the laptop's GPU (graphics processing unit), resulting in lower temperatures.
  5. Place your laptop on a hard surface: Using your laptop on a hard surface, like a desk or table, allows for better heat dissipation. Avoid using it on soft surfaces like beds or cushions, as they block vents and can cause overheating.
  6. Take breaks: Extended gaming sessions can put a significant strain on your laptop's components. Taking regular breaks during gaming sessions will allow your laptop to cool down.
  7. Update your drivers: Make sure to keep your graphics card drivers up to date. New driver updates often include performance optimizations and can help reduce heat generation.
  8. Limit background processes: Close any unnecessary programs or processes running in the background while gaming. These can consume system resources and contribute to overheating.
  9. Use a laptop cooling software: There are various laptop cooling software available that allow you to manually control fan speeds, adjust power settings, and optimize system performance, helping to keep temperatures in check.

If despite taking these measures, your laptop continues to shut down frequently due to overheating, it may be advisable to have it inspected by a professional technician to identify any underlying hardware issues.

How to optimize laptop airflow for better gaming cooling?

To optimize laptop airflow for better gaming cooling, you can follow these tips:

  1. Clean the vents: Over time, dust and debris can accumulate in the laptop vents, restricting airflow and causing overheating. Use a can of compressed air or a small brush to clean the vents regularly.
  2. Use a laptop cooling pad: Investing in a laptop cooling pad can significantly improve airflow. These pads have built-in fans that help dissipate heat from underneath the laptop, reducing the strain on the internal cooling system.
  3. Elevate the laptop: Placing the laptop on a raised surface, such as a laptop stand or even a couple of books, allows air to circulate more freely around the device, promoting better cooling.
  4. Avoid blocking the vents: Ensure that the laptop's vents are not obstructed. Avoid using the laptop on soft surfaces like beds or cushions, as they can block the airflow. Instead, use it on a hard surface like a desk or table.
  5. Monitor background programs: Close or disable any unnecessary background programs or processes that might be running while gaming. These programs consume system resources and generate additional heat, leading to increased temperature.
  6. Adjust power settings: Adjust your laptop's power settings to favor performance over power saving. By default, many laptops have power-saving settings, which limit the performance of the components. By changing to a performance mode, you can boost the cooling system and improve gaming performance.
  7. Limit overclocking: Overclocking the CPU or GPU can increase gaming performance but also generates more heat. If you're experiencing overheating issues, consider reducing or disabling overclocking to ensure better cooling.
  8. Clean the internals: If you're comfortable with it, open up your laptop and clean the internals using compressed air. Dust and debris can accumulate within the laptop, inhibiting airflow and leading to overheating. Be cautious when doing this and refer to your laptop's manufacturer's guidelines.
  9. Use appropriate power settings: When gaming, it's generally recommended to keep the laptop plugged in to ensure it receives a consistent power supply. Running on battery power can cause the laptop to switch to power save mode, leading to reduced performance and cooling capability.
  10. Consider external cooling solutions: In extreme cases, you might consider using external cooling solutions like laptop cooling docks, liquid cooling systems, or laptop vacuum coolers. These solutions provide additional cooling power for intense gaming sessions.

Remember, laptop designs can vary, so it's also helpful to consult your laptop's user manual or the manufacturer's website for any specific cooling recommendations tailored to your model.