Can Laptops Cause Fire? The Truth!

Often, we find ourselves overexerting our electrical gadgets, such as our laptops. We sometimes do this without thinking of the repercussions.

Has it ever occurred to you that can my laptop cause fire? The thought of this might sound scary, but you’re about to find out if laptops cause fire; if yes, why and how does it happen?.

Your laptop or computer can catch fire. Fire can envelop your property due to poor upkeep and irresponsible use. Like any other electrical gadget, laptops can catch fire at any time. A short circuit from the charger adapter or an overcharged battery could result in a fire.

Laptops plugged in and charging and placed on a flat surface, such as a bed or a couch cushion, can quickly become very hot. However, Lithium-ion cells become thermally unstable at 302°F, releasing burning gases.

The story of the exploding laptop is not a rumor; it does happen, but statistically, it is unlikely. In other words, the laptop’s battery warms up to the point that a component hits its ignition point.

Consequently, we now know that laptops can cause fire with the facts mentioned above, but the chances are slim. 

Do you know what laptops are USA-made? Not really, have a quick read of What Laptops are Made in USA.

Can Laptops Cause Fire

Is Leaving a Laptop Plugged In a Fire Hazard?

We have heard stories of people leaving their electrical gadgets plugged in and the gadgets exploding. It makes us wonder if leaving a laptop plugged in is really a fire hazard.

Leaving your laptop plugged in is not a fire hazard when done correctly. However, overcharged, short-circuited, submerged in water, or broken batteries, on the other hand, might cause a fire. In addition, It is also critical that they are charged safely.

There are no substantial dangers. It is no different from leaving a television or microwave oven plugged in. These devices are frequently left plugged in. To reduce battery degeneration, try to avoid leaving your laptop plugged in and charging all the time.

A laptop’s vents are normally found on the side or bottom of the machine. If you leave your laptop plugged in and turned on on your bed or carpet, the vents on the device may become blocked. The computer’s hot air can build up and harm internal components, resulting in expensive repairs and replacements. Place your laptop on a hard surface that allows the computer’s vents to dispel the hot air if you plan to leave it plugged in and turned on or charging.

If you’re going to leave the computer unattended and plugged in for an extended period of time, make sure it’s on a hard surface, such as a table or desk, or get a laptop cooler. Never leave a computer plugged in, charging, or turning on combustible material to avoid a fire. If you don’t have anywhere else to place the laptop, unhook it from the computer and the outlet, then turn it off completely.

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How Do I Stop My Laptop from Catching Fire?

You need to know that computers that catch fire are most likely due to overheating. It occurs when the computer cannot cool itself due to poor airflow. When a computer is turned on, the components generate heat, which is dissipated via the cooling system (mostly by a fan).

Dust bunnies clog the air tubes that carry the heated air. As a result, cool air cannot circulate throughout the structure. When hot weather is included, the issue becomes even more aggravated, increasing the likelihood of an accident. To prevent this, dust bunnies should not be allowed to collect on the outside computer case vent covers.

By the way, you can also use some Laptop Cooling Pad like Havit HV-F2056 15.6″-17″ Laptop Cooler Cooling Pad

A manufacturing flaw in laptops causes the cause of overheating. Recalls for defective power cords are not commonplace among laptop manufacturers. Extending extension cords to connect several devices might result in overload, resulting in a fire. These cords are intended for occasional use, and hefty extension cords should be used if at all possible.

When exposed to temperatures above 150 degrees Celsius, the powerful lithium-ion battery in laptops becomes unstable. Always place your laptop on a hard surface such as a table or the floor, rather than on a couch or bed.

You need to ensure the following for your laptop:

In the room where you keep your computer, keep it cool.

Keep objects off the top of your laptop

Cleaning your computer every year is a good idea.

Periodically inspect the laptop vents and fans for dust accumulation.

Never close the air vents on your laptop.

Use a lap desk to raise your laptop so that airflow from below is not hindered.

Reduced fan speed might cause your laptop to overheat quickly. To control the fan speed, download SpeedFan for Windows.

It should be at temperatures ranging from 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit when using your laptop.

Not sure about 2-in-1 laptops, have a quick read of What are the Cons of 2-in-1 Laptops? A Must Read!

How Hot Is Too Hot for a Laptop?

You can find temperature extremes and lows in a variety of electronic gadgets. A question that keeps cropping up in the head of a laptop owner/user is, how hot is too hot for a laptop?

Laptops operate in a temperature range of 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (10 – 35 degrees C). Extreme temperatures can cause LCD panels to freeze or cause your laptop to malfunction and shut down. Because heat can harm various components of a laptop, it’s better to switch it off and let it alone until it cools down to room temperature.

Temperature sensors are also built into modern computers. This eliminates the need for guesswork. A good temperature monitoring gadget will alert you when your machine becomes hot. Keep in mind that too much heat will shorten the life of your machine. It is impossible to avoid heat as a by-product of power usage! However, there are always steps you can take to keep things under control.

Are you a Hp lover? You may like to know What Gigabits is Best to Work from Home On An HP Laptop?

Do Laptops Explode?

For the most part, electronic equipment is exceptionally well-behaved, but when something goes wrong, it may quickly escalate from bad to worse to horrible.

Any device with a high-capacity battery that has to be charged, such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, has the potential to explode. A laptop’s odds of catching fire are slim, but not zero.

Thermal runaway, according to Gizmodo, is a typical event that can cause laptop batteries to explode. When a fault causes the battery to produce more heat than it can handle, a thermal runaway might happen, resulting in an explosion.

There is a news item online about a boy who slept off with his laptop plugged into his bed overnight. His laptop battery blasted and injured him severely.

Laptop batteries, as well as other items like a pressure cooker, are always dangerous. The way you use them affects your safety. If the membrane fails, the chemistry can overdrive and discharge the entire battery’s energy at once. Temperatures can climb to above 1,000° F in seconds, resulting in a fire or explosion.

Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, may be used in both smartphones and computers. Therefore, the chances of an explosion are slim unless there is a manufacturing flaw.

A swollen Lithium-ion battery may explode or catch fire. When removing a swollen battery from an electronic device, proceed with extreme caution and at your own risk.

Overcharging, over-discharging, undesirable carbon buildup, and other variables play a role. In the event of overcharging or other problems, a Lithium battery contains built-in mechanisms to disengage from the device and nearby cells. A defective laptop battery lacks devices to protect the cells from overcharging and other hazards.

There have been numerous reports of laptops exploding due to overheating. When your laptop overheats, it slows down the process and damages internal components like the battery and motherboard. The system will abruptly shut down, signaling a failure, and you will be at risk of an explosion.

Looking for an affordable laptop? Check out our list of Some Good Laptops Under 400 Dollars?

Final Verdict

This article summarises that laptops can cause fires, but the chances are slim. Leaving your laptop plugged in will not result in a fire hazard, but try to avoid leaving your laptop plugged in and charging.

Avoid leaving your laptop plugged in and turned on on your bed or carpet. The vents on the machine may become blocked and can cause damage to your laptop. Always place your laptop on a hard surface such as a table or desk. If you don’t have a surface on which to place your laptop, unplug it and switch it off.

Overheating is the most likely cause of laptops catching fire. To prevent your laptop from catching fire, you have to:

  • Keep your external environment cool.
  • Keep objects off the top of your laptop.
  • Clean it regularly.
  • Use it on a flat, hard surface.
  • Do not close the air vents.

Laptops are meant to operate in a temperature range of 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (10 – 35 degrees C).

Extreme temperatures can cause LCD panels to freeze or cause your laptop to malfunction and shut down. Thermal runaway, a regular occurrence, can cause laptop batteries to explode.

A bloated lithium-ion battery has a higher chance of exploding or catching fire. When it comes to electrical devices, the only way to stay safe is to exercise caution.

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