How to solve overheating issue?

Generally, after using a computer for one or two years, it is necessary to clean dust and replace thermal paste, which is computer maintenance, especially for AMD CPUs which generate more heat and whose thermal paste dries faster, requiring regular maintenance.

• If the device is frequently used in dusty environments, it is recommended to clean dust every 6 months. For normal use in a standard indoor office environment, cleaning once every 12 months is sufficient.
• For mini PCs in daily and frequent use, it is recommended to replace the thermal paste every 2–3 years. For light or occasional use, thermal paste can normally last up to 5 years without issues.
   

Self-operation:

• Dust cleaning: Turn off the mini PC and completely disconnect the power supply, open the bottom cover, use a compressed air can (or blower) to blow out the grille, fan, and heat sink from the ventilation openings. Use a soft brush to remove dust accumulated on the fan, heat fins, and gaps.
• Thermal paste replacement: Carefully unscrew the heat dissipation module, clean off the old thermal paste with a tissue. Apply a pea-sized drop of new thermal paste in the center of the processor, spread it evenly with a plastic card, then reassemble the heat dissipation module.

If you are unsure whether you can do this yourself, it is recommended to take the device to a nearby computer repair shop for dust cleaning and thermal paste replacement, which can greatly improve machine performance.

The compact design of the MINI PC requires good air circulation. Placing it in enclosed spaces, against walls, on soft surfaces (such as carpets, sofas), or inside cabinets will severely affect heat dissipation.

Optimization steps:

• Place on a hard, flat surface (such as a desk), ensuring at least 5-10 cm of clearance around ventilated areas.

• Avoid placing it inside closed drawers, cabinets, or boxes.
• Avoid using fabrics or carpet surfaces that block bottom ventilation.
• Recommended to use MINI PC cooling stands with fans (which elevate the device and provide active airflow).
• In summer or warm climates, avoid exposing the mini PC to direct sunlight.

If using a non-original or mismatched adapter with power lower than the device's TDP requirement, the system will enter Power Limit Throttling under high load. You can try powering the computer with another adapter of the same specification as the original to see if overheating still occurs.

In addition, the adapter itself may malfunction. When using, touch the adapter: normally it will be warm (around 50-60°C), but if it is hot to the touch (cannot be held for long) or has a strange smell, it is likely faulty. 

The older version of the adapter is a larger MOSO model, which has a built-in green LED. If the LED is steadily green, the adapter is most likely normal. If the adapter indicator light is abnormal, you can contact customer service to request a replacement adapter.    GEEKOM Customer Service

Running too many programs simultaneously, accumulated browser tabs, or unnecessary background software will continuously increase CPU usage, generating sustained heat.

Control processor workload:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) (Windows)

2. Sort processes by CPU usage, right-click and close those that are using excessive resources without reason.

   

3. In power settings, switch to Balanced mode instead of "Best Performance" for daily use.

   

Hidden viruses or crypto-mining tools can silently push CPU usage to 100%, causing unexplained overheating even when no visible applications are running. If your mini PC overheats for no apparent reason, malware should be one of your primary suspects.

You can use reliable antivirus software to perform a full system scan to ensure no malicious programs are running in the background causing overheating.

 

Outdated drivers or old BIOS may mismanage processor power configurations and fan settings, causing the computer to run at higher frequencies than necessary.

1. Visit the GEEKOM Technical Support website: Geekom

2. Download the latest BIOS and EC versions for your model, as well as updated chipset drivers.

   

In some cases, the internal fan of the Mini PC may age, get stuck, or malfunction over time.

To determine whether the fan is running after powering on, place your hand behind the exhaust vent to feel if warm airflow is blowing or listen closely near the device for fan noise. If airflow is present, the fan is running normally. If there is no airflow or the sound is very low while the case is hot, the heat dissipation module may be malfunctioning and you should contact customer service for assistance.

GEEKOM Customer Service

If the device still overheats after the above troubleshooting steps, you can consider adding external cooling:

• USB cooling pad with built-in fan, suitable for desktop use.
• Use a small USB fan directed at the Mini PC’s exhaust vent.
• Attach thermal pads to the bottom of the device to improve heat conduction to the desk.