My Surface Pro 8 is overheating

Question

My Surface Pro 8 is overheating just after half hour usage. After 2 hours it becomes unusable and very slow on response. Have to shutdown, let it cool for sometime and then use it again

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for posing in Microsoft Community.

I understand how frustrating it may be to have a device that is having performance issues and gets warm. Definitely not the situation we want you to have with your Surface. Let me ask few questions to help us further isolate the issue.

1. When did this issue start occurring?
2. Does this issue occur randomly or after you do something specific?
3. Does the issue go away if you reboot?

If a Windows application or service uses lots of CPU resources for an extended period, the processor will get warm. That is expected and normal, regardless of what brand of computer you're using. You can determine this by looking at task manager in the CPU column (sort by) to see if particular application is consuming the CPU.

Or can be the CPU is throttling- You can see if the device CPU is throttling by opening task manager, performance tab and looking at CPU speed.

Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Check if there are any updates available for your Surface Pro 8. Sometimes, updates can help improve the performance and reduce the heat generated by the device.
2. Make sure that your Surface Pro 8 is not running too many programs or apps at the same time. Running too many programs can cause the device to overheat.
3. Adjusting CPU speed (frequency): To adjust how the fans and CPU perform, you can select the battery icon on the task bar and adjust the power mode. Setting the power mode to Recommended helps limit the fan speed and provides quieter operation. 

To switch to a different power mode:

Windows 11: Select Start > Settings > System > Power & battery > Power mode > Recommended.

4. Check which apps have heavy CPU utilization in Task manager. 
   1. In the Search box, type Task Manager, and open it from the list of results.
   2. Select More details, if necessary, to expand the window.
   3. Select CPU to sort the tasks running by their CPU utilization.
   The requirement for the fan to be on is partly attributed to processes with high utilization. You can contribute to a decrease in CPU utilization and the requirement for fan assistance by being aware of what applications need to be closed and what needs to run at all times.
5. Disable Startup Programs using the Task Manager app.
   1. Open the Task Manager app.
   2. Navigate to the Startup tab.
   3. Check the applications that you don't want to be running in the background if you rarely use their services.
   4. Click the "Disable" option.
6. Check if the vents on your Surface Pro 8 are blocked or obstructed. If the vents are blocked, the device may not be able to cool down properly, which can cause it to overheat.
7. If you are using your Surface Pro 8 on a soft surface like a bed or a couch, try using it on a hard surface like a desk or a table. Soft surfaces can block the vents and cause the device to overheat.
8. If the device is being used in a warm environment or in the sun, move device to cooler environment.

Surface devices adhere to all laws and guidelines related to temperature and thermal. It complies with the user-accessible surface temperature limits defined by the International Standards for Safety (IEC 60950-1 and IEC 62368). See Product safety warnings and instructions - Microsoft Support refer to sections called “Heat related concerns” and “Heat related concerns for wearable devices”.

Kind regards,

Lavenia

Answer 2

Hello,

We haven't heard from you, so we assume that your issue has already been addressed. We will not be monitoring this thread moving forward so, if you need further assistance, please create a new thread to discuss these concerns by clicking this link: Create a new question (microsoft.com).

Thank you for understanding. 

Kind regards,

Lavenia