Overview
The goal of this document is to identify if a device is experiencing an overheating issue, how to fix it when it is identified, and best practice to avoid this issue.
Troubleshooting Steps
Faculty/Staff: The current model of devices (i.e. Latitude 7430, 7440, and 7450 models issued during or after the 2023 refresh) tend to run warmer due to the compact chassis. When a large amount of Windows and Dell Command Updates are delayed until all of them run at once, the computer can have a tough time handling the load after Villanova group policy forces the updates. The computer may become completely unresponsive whether on a docking station or isolated by itself. The computer itself may still be warm or even hot to the touch. If the computer is experiencing these issues, more likely than not the cause of the issue is a cascade of updates overloading the system.
The best way to prevent this issue is to make sure to periodically update the device. While it is not necessary to power off a device every day or to check for updates each night, make sure to restart your device once a week.
Technician:
To remedy this issue:
- Unplug the battery.
- Unplug the CMOS battery.
- Hold down the laptop power button for 20-30 seconds.
- Plug the CMOS battery back in.
- Test if the device boots up on AC power alone.
The laptop will likely exhibit signs of starting up not present before (power button light, keyboard back lights flash on and off). It may show that updates are underway; please allow them to run completely. Once the device is back online, we can confirm if the time and date need to be corrected. You may see a BIOS error about this when it first boots, which might resolve after it goes to the login screen. If needed, go to Date and Time Settings and force a sync to the correct time and date. Finally, make sure to plug the battery back into the laptop, and reseal the device.