Discover why thermal paste application should be checked first when a laptop shuts down randomly under heavy workloads, as required for the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 exam. Learn how proper thermal paste ensures efficient heat transfer and prevents overheating-related shutdowns.
Table of Contents
Question
A user reports that their laptop shuts down randomly during heavy workloads. The fan is running, and vents are clear. What should the technician check first?
A. Thermal paste application
B. Battery health
C. Power adapter voltage
D. BIOS power settings
E. Hard drive errors
Answer
A. Thermal paste application
Explanation
Random shutdowns during heavy workloads are often due to overheating, which can result from degraded or improperly applied thermal paste on the CPU or GPU.
Random shutdowns during heavy workloads are commonly caused by overheating, even when the fan is running and vents are clear. The effectiveness of heat transfer from the CPU or GPU to the heatsink depends heavily on the quality and condition of the thermal paste. If the thermal paste is degraded, improperly applied, or insufficient, microscopic gaps between the processor and heatsink can trap air, significantly reducing heat dissipation.
This results in rapid temperature increases during high CPU or GPU usage, triggering thermal protection mechanisms that forcibly shut down the laptop to prevent hardware damage. Proper application of thermal paste ensures optimal contact and efficient cooling, directly impacting system stability and performance. Checking and, if necessary, reapplying thermal paste is the most logical first step when addressing random shutdowns related to thermal issues.
CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 exam and earn CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 certification.