How to Keep the Summer Heat from Damaging Your Technology

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Your tech devices go with you everywhere, but in these hot summer months, you can take your laptops, tablets, and smartphones for granted; they're delicate machines that can suffer catastrophic problems if left to bake in the hot summer temperatures. Most devices have protection to shut your devices down if they start to overheat, but there are certain steps you need to take to ensure your technology doesn't fail permanently if it overheats. Here is what you need to know:

Before I get into the practical tips, let’s talk about what the summer heat does to your tech. Electronics generate a lot of heat when in use. When you add in high outdoor temperatures or direct sunlight, it becomes harder for them to stay within safe operating ranges. When things get too warm, your device might start to slow down, freeze, or shut itself off to prevent internal damage. You might also notice your battery draining faster or your fan running constantly just to keep up. This kind of stress can wear down your hardware and lead to a shorter lifespan overall.

Even brand-new devices aren’t immune to heat-related issues. Whether it’s a laptop on a sunny desk or a phone left in a hot car, exposure to extreme temperatures can create problems fast. That’s why a few small changes to your routine can make a big difference. Follow these tips:

Know the "safe" temperature range for your devices.

Most tech devices will work well in temperatures of 50° to 80°. Anything warmer than this is asking for trouble. Laptop, smartphone, and tablet batteries don't operate well in heat. Also, the components of your delicate hard drive or internal storage might expand, sometimes causing permanent damage, which puts you at risk for losing documents, photos, and music stored on your devices.

NEVER leave your tech in a hot car.

Treat your tech like a baby and don't ever leave it in a warm car, not even in the trunk. The temperatures in your car on a warm day are almost always going to reach outside the safe range of your device. If you must leave your tech in a car, make sure it's been turned off completely.

Avoid high humidity.

Many laptops, tablets, and smartphones can experience electrical problems when the humidity is very high, such as 80 percent. Don't work outside with your device on days like this, or you could fry it.

Stay out of direct sun, if you can.

Yes, heat usually comes with lots of direct sunlight. We've heard all the urban legends about your device's screen becoming damaged from sun exposure, but we can't find anything to support it. Either way, it's better to be safe than sorry.

By following these tips, hopefully you can keep your devices cool and healthy in those hot summer months. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.

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