It would help if you did not leave your laptop in a hot car because the excessive heat can damage the screen, cause moving parts to fail over time, and accelerate the battery’s depletion. People are asking How Long Can A Laptop Stay In A Hot Car.
Compared to normal conditions, lithium-ion batteries degrade 40% more quickly when stored at a temperature of approximately 104°F.
The battery capacity will drastically diminish if you frequently store your laptop in a hot car.
Extreme heat may also threaten the motors and moving parts within laptops that operate CPU cooling fans and optical drives.
Read Also: Why Is My Laptop Battery Draining So Fast
Damage Prevention Tips
Instead of leaving your computer in your car, you should leave it at home. However, if you encounter this issue, simply follow the steps in this article and your laptop will be fine.
Laptop Storage in the Trunk
If you must leave your computer in a hot car, the trunk should be your first choice. The vehicle’s trunk will heat up considerably more slowly than the passenger compartment. This is due to the absence of direct sunlight.
The trunk’s temperature increase may significantly lag behind that of the passenger compartment.
Ensure Your Laptop Is Completely Off
Ensure that the laptop or computer is shut down properly. Sometimes people leave their laptops in standby mode, which still indicates that they are powered on. The device should be completely turned off to keep the temperature as low as possible.
Do not leave a laptop in sleep mode in a hot car. It must be completely powered down; otherwise, it will produce its heat.
Read Also: How To Increase Battery Life of Laptop
Cooling Pad
A cooling pad can assist in preventing overheating. Additionally, you can place a cooling pad atop your laptop. Additionally, it protects the laptop’s screen and helps reduce the internal heat exposure.
Utilize Sunshades
A sunshade will help you maintain a cooler interior temperature in your vehicle. The screen of your laptop will be less likely to overheat.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Laptops quickly overheat when exposed to direct sunlight. Always ensure that your laptop is facing away from the sun; closing the windows will prevent light from entering the vehicle.
Leave The Window Open an Inch
Especially if there is a breeze outside, a small window crack could let in sufficient cool air to alleviate the stifling heat inside your vehicle.
Ensure It Is Cool Before Resuming Operation
When you return to your vehicle, check the device’s temperature before activating it. Before restarting the laptop or computer, ensure that it is not overheated, as this could cause damage.
Back Up Your Data
If your laptop is frequently exposed to higher temperatures, you should back up your photos and other data regularly. An external hard drive kept in a room with air conditioning may be useful for this purpose. The majority of manufacturer warranties do not cover heat-related damage.
Read More: How To Choose Processor for Laptops
Remove The Battery
The battery of your laptop is most vulnerable to high temperatures. The majority of laptops are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which can be degraded and damaged by heat.
Read Also: HOW TO CHARGE LAPTOP BATTERY MANUALLY
Additional Considerations
If you are planning a beach vacation, you should be aware that sand is harmful to laptops and will be present in addition to the heat. Therefore, leaving your electronic device at home at the beach is best. If you intend to bring it along, use it only when you are away from the water, and always cover it when you are finished.
If you must use your computer to navigate a car, remember that the area directly behind the windshield can become extremely hot. In addition, the associated programmes place significant strain on the devices. Turn on the air conditioning and, if possible, utilise it in the back seat, away from the windshield.
Related FAQs: How Long Can A Laptop Stay In A Hot Car
What will happen to my MacBook if I leave it in a hot car?
Depending on the interior temperature, if the temperature exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit, your MacBook may overheat and be damaged.
How do I determine if my laptop is overheating?
In the bottom right corner of your screen is a thermometer. It will display the prevailing temperature. It may be easy to forget to check your laptop’s temperature, but you should do so frequently.
Is It Common for a Laptop to Grow Warm?
Depending on usage, the temperature of your laptop’s internal components may vary. If you use your processor for an extended period, its temperature may rise above normal. This is why always using your laptop in a cool environment is essential.
What is more damaging to electronics, Warmth or cold?
Heat is more damaging to a laptop than cold temperatures. If you are using your computer outside, the lid should be closed. Avoid the heat generated by your laptop, especially after prolonged use.
How long can a laptop be left in a hot vehicle?
If the laptop is powered down and stored in the trunk, it can be left in a hot car for more than eight hours. If you remove the battery and store the computer in a cooler bag with insulating properties, your computer will not sustain heat damage. Before leaving, park in the shade and ensure the laptop is cool.
Can I Left My Laptop in A Hot Car 2022
In the summer, the heat in a car can reach temperatures high enough to melt plastic, meaning it can also melt delicate components in your laptop. When left in a hot car, your hard drive, display, and connector cables could all be damaged.
Final Words
This is a question asked by the majority of people. How long can a laptop stay in a hot car? It will automatically shut down. Additionally, the item may be damaged. The worst thing that could happen to your computer is a fire! Thus, it is not worthwhile. You would benefit from carrying your laptop with you at all times.
Higher temperatures can accelerate the battery’s self-discharge and the device’s deterioration. A heated device should not be activated because it lacks a cooling mechanism.
In the worst case, the housing of a black computer left in a locked car under the blazing sun may warp. Due to the different coefficients of expansion of the used materials, even cracks are possible.
