ASUS's article on overheating and fan problems, for notebooks and gaming handhelds, begins with two facts that explain most cases: the fan will not run if the device temperature does not exceed its activation threshold, and overheating usually comes from abnormal program CPU or memory use or from a fan that has slowed with wear. Its steps: update the BIOS, Windows packages and drivers through MyASUS, then change the fan mode in MyASUS (most models let you balance performance and temperature;
some show it as ASUS Smart Performance Technology and the available modes vary by model), then check for apps consuming resources. For ROG gaming machines ASUS points to the gaming fan settings in Armoury Crate. A thin Zenbook or Vivobook can warm and slow under sustained load by design, while a Zephyrus G14 or ProArt P16 runs its fans hard under load.
Differential
Likely causes of “ASUS laptops runs hot or the fan is loud”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A program using the CPU or memory
What separates it The fan runs hard with little running and the machine is warm
How to confirm ASUS lists abnormal program CPU and memory consumption as a cause; open Task Manager and close or update the app
- 2
A fan that has slowed with wear
What separates it Temperatures rise and the fan sounds weak or noisy
How to confirm ASUS lists a fan slowing down after prolonged use and wear; run diagnostics and contact ASUS
- 3
The fan mode is set for performance
What separates it The machine is loud in Performance or Turbo mode
How to confirm Choose a quieter fan mode in MyASUS or Armoury Crate; modes vary by model
- 4
Blocked vents or a soft surface
What separates it The machine is hot on a bed or blanket
How to confirm Use a hard, flat surface with the vents clear
- 5
An old BIOS or driver
What separates it The fan behavior changed after an update because of an old BIOS or driver
How to confirm Update the BIOS, Windows packages and drivers through MyASUS System Update
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The fan mode in use and the top processes in Task Manager
- What the machine was doing, the surface it sits on and the room temperature
- Whether it shuts down or shows any swelling sign
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedMove it to a hard surface
ReversibleMove it to a hard surface, by putting the machine on a flat, hard surface with the vents clear.
Change the fan mode
ReversibleIn MyASUS, choose a mode that balances performance and temperature; on ROG models use Armoury Crate.
Find heavy programs
ReversibleFind heavy programs, in Task Manager, sorting by CPU and memory, and closing or updating the worst one.
Check the charger
ReversibleCheck the charger, since ASUS notes that the AC adapter affects performance, so use the original adapter.
Reduce the load
ReversibleReduce the load, by lowering the graphics settings and closing background apps on the laptop.
Run System Diagnosis
ReversibleRun System Diagnosis, in MyASUS, System Diagnosis, and contact ASUS if the fan test fails.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Cooling by model
- Zenbook S14 UX5406 (1.2 kg) and Vivobook S15 S5507 (14.7 mm): thin cooling that warms under load. ProArt P16 and Zephyrus G14: discrete NVIDIA GPUs with strong fans that run hard under load. ROG Ally X: handheld with a fan that runs in demanding games.
- Fan and power modes
- MyASUS offers fan or power modes; Armoury Crate offers Silent, Performance and Turbo-style modes on ROG models; the Ally X uses Armoury Crate SE. Available modes vary by model.
- Tools and supplies
- The original ASUS charger and cable, a flashlight to look into the ports and vents, a dry towel for the desk and a FAT32 USB stick if you need to recover the BIOS. The machine should not be opened at home.
- Repair cost
- Cleaning the vents and closing heavy apps costs nothing. A thermal or board repair at an independent shop is typically $99 to $299 with a free diagnostic, per BadgerLayer's 2026 laptop repair guide.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the ProArt P16 H7606, ROG Zephyrus G14 GA403, Vivobook S 15 S5507, ROG Ally X handheld.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If MyASUS diagnostics fail the fan or thermal test, contact an ASUS service center
- !If the machine shuts down from heat on a hard surface with clear vents, book a service check
- !If the case swells or the machine is very hot while idle, stop using it and go to a service center the same day
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Fan threshold, abnormal program use, fan wear, MyASUS fan modes and gaming series notes.
Power mode, accessories and the AC adapter's effect on performance.
The Zenbook premium ultrabook line.
The Vivobook mainstream laptop line.
The ROG Ally handheld gaming PC line.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is my fan not spinning?+
ASUS says that if the device temperature does not exceed the fan activation threshold, the fan will not operate, which is normal at low load.
What does ASUS list as causes of overheating?+
Abnormal program CPU and memory resource consumption, and a fan that has slowed down from prolonged use and wear.
What is ASUS Smart Performance Technology?+
ASUS says some models show it in MyASUS as the place to choose a mode between performance and temperature; other models show different names, and modes vary.
Do ROG models handle fans differently?+
ASUS's article points ROG and TUF gaming computers to the gaming fan controls in Armoury Crate.
Does the ROG Ally X get hot?+
It warms and its fan runs under load, which the catalog notes as normal for a handheld; use a lower performance mode to reduce heat.
Is a thin Zenbook warm on the lap normal?+
As a thin ultrabook it can warm and throttle under sustained load. A hard surface and a quieter mode help.