How to fix a laptop that reboots randomly

2 days ago

A laptop experienced random shutdowns, initially attributed to unnecessary software.
The issue persisted after uninstalling software and continued despite the user assuming it was a software problem.
Attempting to install an alternative operating system (CachyOS) also led to shutdowns, indicating a hardware issue.
HWmonitor revealed temperatures peaking at 100°C, pointing to overheating.
Upon inspection, the fan inlet was clogged with dust, likely from use on soft surfaces like beds or carpets.
Dust accumulation prevented heat dissipation, triggering thermal protection shutdowns during heavy use, but not during idle periods.
Cleaning the dust and debris resolved the problem, restoring normal laptop function.
The user recalled a similar issue 20 years prior with another laptop, highlighting dust as a recurring problem.
Modern fanless devices like MacBooks may avoid such issues, but laptops with fans remain susceptible to dust-related overheating.

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