Solved Why is my CPU overheating?

Sheikh · Jul 16, 2025

BJC1992 said:
Upon restarting my computer whilst it was installing Windows Updates the computer beeps at me twice and at the bottom of the screen it says the CPU is overheating. When the desktop appears I open an app called Speccy and my CPU temperature is 94 degrees. I had this CPU installed last November so is it possible it's now faulty?
The computer was only installing updates and nothing else, so the computer isn't working hard. As soon as I saw the temperature in Speccy I shut down the computer to prevent further overheating and possible damage.
I'm not sure where I should start in trying to find the problem so any help is much appreciated.

has anyone recommended you changing the silicon paste in this thread?

BJC1992 · Jul 16, 2025

Sheikh said:
has anyone recommended you changing the silicon paste in this thread?

Yes it has been mentioned that the paste could be a potential issue. But finding out the fan is loose suggests that is the culprit. If the problem persists after tightening up the fan then looking at the paste is the next step.

bobkn · Jul 16, 2025

If by "wobbly", you mean that it's not firmly clamped onto the CPU, that's likely to be the problem.

I wonder what sort of CPU cooler it is? Your specs list an I7-8700, with a "standard" Intel cooler. But the specs for the I7-8700 was not sold with a stock cooler. Was one from an older CPU re-used?

If memory serves, some Intel CPU coolers just pushed in place. (I've never used one; I always bought a third-party cooler.) I wonder if that retention mechanism would be damaged if the cooler wasn't removed from the motherboard carefully enough?

I'm in the US, so not best able to suggest a UK source for a new cooler. This one is probably more than adequate:

Amazon.co.uk

By the way, thanks for providing all that detail in "My Computer".

BamaInArk · Jul 16, 2025

Your system specs say this is a normal Intel cooler. If it is the type that uses push pins to lock into place I would begin by checking all 4 pins to check if they are all seated properly. It's possible one could have popped loose or even broke causing the cooler mounting to have less pressure in a certain spot lowering cooling efficiency.

SIW2 · Jul 16, 2025

might be wotth repasting and putiing on one of those cheap thermalright fans . Varies betwenn £15-£17 at amazon and similar

thermalright e.g.

Amazon.co.uk

a bit of paste

Amazon.co.uk

jvickers · Jul 16, 2025

BJC1992 said:
Yes it has been mentioned that the paste could be a potential issue. But finding out the fan is loose suggests that is the culprit. If the problem persists after tightening up the fan then looking at the paste is the next step.

If you're going to have your system open and will be adjusting the fan, it stands to reason that applying new thermal paste would be a good idea. After all, the thermal paste on your CPU is probably a little old. Might as well do both at the same time.

Hazel123 · Jul 16, 2025

BJC1992 said:
Upon restarting my computer whilst it was installing Windows Updates the computer beeps at me twice and at the bottom of the screen it says the CPU is overheating. When the desktop appears I open an app called Speccy and my CPU temperature is 94 degrees. I had this CPU installed last November so is it possible it's now faulty?
The computer was only installing updates and nothing else, so the computer isn't working hard. As soon as I saw the temperature in Speccy I shut down the computer to prevent further overheating and possible damage.
I'm not sure where I should start in trying to find the problem so any help is much appreciated.

So if this has only just happened out of the blue, has anything changed recently? Installed anything new? Upgraded to 24H2? If not and it's happened out of the blue, then as others suggest, it could be hardware. Have you checked to see if there is a new bios update? If there is - read what it says about it - sometimes they say specifics like - addresses overheating on upgrade to 24H2 (or whatever).

BJC1992 · Jul 16, 2025

bobkn said:
If by "wobbly", you mean that it's not firmly clamped onto the CPU, that's likely to be the problem.

I wonder what sort of CPU cooler it is? Your specs list an I7-8700, with a "standard" Intel cooler. But the specs for the I7-8700 was not sold with a stock cooler. Was one from an older CPU re-used?

If memory serves, some Intel CPU coolers just pushed in place. (I've never used one; I always bought a third-party cooler.) I wonder if that retention mechanism would be damaged if the cooler wasn't removed from the motherboard carefully enough?

I'm in the US, so not best able to suggest a UK source for a new cooler. This one is probably more than adequate:

Amazon.co.uk

By the way, thanks for providing all that detail in "My Computer".

So the CPU was purchased last year, and everything else is original. So the CPU cooler was just put back in place but perhaps wasn't secured properly so I'll be sure to check that.
If indeed this is the problem does that explain why the temperature rises so fast and equally decreases as fast?

Nothing new has been done it's just happened out of the blue.

As with regards to the paste, that would have only been put in during November last year. But of course it could still be an issue, but will investigate that if fixing the fan doesn't sort the issue.

Kees · Jul 16, 2025

BJC1992 said:
If indeed this is the problem does that explain why the temperature rises so fast and equally decreases as fast?

Yes, if the (mostly used) copper surface of the cooler has a bad contact to the CPU, there is air between the two.
Air is very bad heat conductor! Only needs to be a very small gap, a few µm would (as I assume) already act as an isolator...

But if that really was the cause, the thermal conducting paste will no more do it's job, not even after tightening the cooler.
Better replace the thermal conducting paste. But remember that some of those stuff can be poiseness, better wear (chirurgical) gloves to do the job.

Don't forget to avoid static electricity: connect yourself by a grounding wristband to a metal part of the computer case.
Or at least touch that metal part after every movement of your body to remove any built-up static voltage from your body.

bobkn · Jul 16, 2025

BJC1992 said:
So the CPU was purchased last year, and everything else is original. So the CPU cooler was just put back in place but perhaps wasn't secured properly so I'll be sure to check that.
If indeed this is the problem does that explain why the temperature rises so fast and equally decreases as fast?

Nothing new has been done it's just happened out of the blue.

As with regards to the paste, that would have only been put in during November last year. But of course it could still be an issue, but will investigate that if fixing the fan doesn't sort the issue.

It sounds like the loose cooler is the problem.

If it was one of the push pin types, you may need to replace it. Preferably with one that has a more positive mounting type.

Checking the thermal compound would also be wise, in case it has been shifted.

I don't know about the need to wear surgical gloves. If you're concerned about cuts, latex gloves may not offer enough protection.

BJC1992 · Jul 16, 2025

SIW2 said:
might be wotth repasting and putiing on one of those cheap thermalright fans . Varies betwenn £15-£17 at amazon and similar

thermalright e.g.
Amazon.co.uk

a bit of paste
Amazon.co.uk

I'm happy to but a replacement CPU fan if necessary, but wouldn't the old one just clip back into place. Or is it just a good idea to replace it to save the issue happening again?
Also would the replacement listed here definitely fit my PC?

SIW2 · Jul 16, 2025

the intel stock fans arent great.

thermlaright 120 se should fit.

I had one of those asus h310m-a for a short while. It was from a pcspecialst machine and had their win10/11 pro key in the bios msdm table

I have got slightly smaller thermalright called ax90 or something like that. With an 8700 cpu the 120 is probably better

antspants · Jul 16, 2025

Hi, BJC1992
Just an observation.

You said a Tech replaced the CPU for you. I assume this was the case because you had never done it before or you would have done it yourself.

If this is the case, I would advise you take it back to a Tech.
You can buy the fan yourself if you choose to, and give it to the Tech
The Tech can reapply Thermal Paste and replace the fan

If you haven’t done it before, messing with a CPU can be dangerous.
Applying Thermal Paste has to be done correctly (However there are plenty of Videos)
If the CPU comes out or you are going to reseat it, there is a risk of bending pins on the CPU if not done very carefully. This is bad.

If you’ve worked with a CPU before, then all good. Still, take great care.

SIW2 · Jul 16, 2025

Need to put the backplate on with most coolers. Dont know if that is easily accessible on your machine. Otherwise have to take the motherboard out to do it.

plenty of videos on youtube show how

review I think that is the single fan variant. Double fan should be slightly better

bobkn · Jul 16, 2025

BJC1992 said:
I'm happy to but a replacement CPU fan if necessary, but wouldn't the old one just clip back into place. Or is it just a good idea to replace it to save the issue happening again?
Also would the replacement listed here definitely fit my PC?

If the current cooler popped out, it may be because it was damaged. (Like when it was removed.) Might be a fortunate failure, as the cooler is probably poor in performance.

The one given by "SIW2" in post 25 claims to be compatible with your motherboard type (Socket 1151).

For an air cooler, the main concerns are whether it would be too tall for your case, or that it would interfere with your RAM. I hope that's no issue with the Thermalright Assassin Spirit 120 V2 PLUS. (For some coolers similar to that, the rear fan needs to be adjusted up a little to clear the RAM.)

As remarked, it uses a backplate. If your case has a port to access that area (when the side cover behind the motherboard is removed), it'd be fairly simple. If not, the motherboard would have to be removed from the case.

Scott · Jul 17, 2025

@BJC1992 In 2018 I built a computer using the exact CPU you have. As it didn't come with a fan I went with
a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO (which is now installed in my System Two). It actually brought my core temps
down to room temperature several times while idling.
You should go with a similar type CPU cooler like the ones mentioned above.

Helmut · Jul 17, 2025

Clearly this is a badly fitted stock cooler, possibly a mechanical fault.
It needs to be removed and inspected.

Assuming it is basically functional then clean it and fit it again properly with new Thermal compound.

Stock coolers are OK, but only just good enough.

Longer term is to fit a better(larger) Cooler. That requires measuring the space and obstructions you have so that it can be fitted.
Obviously you will have to do that and select one that physically fits.

BJC1992 · Jul 17, 2025

Thanks to all who's offered advice. I did indeed get a tech to fit the processor previously so I'll be seeing him again to fit a new fan and reapply some new paste.

Kees · Jul 17, 2025

BJC1992 said:
...to fit a new fan...

Better to have fit a complete new cooler (including a new fan) from a somewhat better quality than a stock cooler.

BJC1992 · Jul 17, 2025

I was looking at the fan mentioned in post 25, I saw pictures online where screw holes are at the top, but there's nowhere for them screws to go. I see the RAM could be a bit close, and the other fan at the back of the PC could be in the way.

Solved Why is my CPU overheating?

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