CPU Temperature

What is CPU temperature?

CPU temperature measures how hot your processor is at any given moment. Processors generate heat when working, and they're designed to handle high temperatures—but only up to a point.

Modern CPUs have built-in protection: when they get too hot, they automatically slow down to reduce heat generation. This is called "thermal throttling." It prevents damage but causes noticeable performance drops.

Why it matters

Video calls push your CPU hard with continuous video encoding and decoding. If your computer runs hot, thermal throttling kicks in, leading to:

• Choppy or freezing video
• Audio that cuts out or lags
• Overall sluggish performance during calls
• Loud fan noise as the system tries to cool down

Laptops are especially prone to overheating because their compact designs limit airflow. Using a laptop on soft surfaces like beds or couches makes this worse by blocking the vents.

What you can do

Immediate cooling:

• Use your laptop on a hard, flat surface—never on beds, pillows, or your lap for extended periods
• Check that vents aren't blocked by dust, papers, or positioning
• Close resource-heavy applications you're not using
• If you hear the fan running loud, give your computer a break before your call

Long-term solutions:

• Use a laptop cooling pad with built-in fans for video call-heavy workdays
• Clean dust from vents periodically (compressed air works well)
• Keep room temperature reasonable—a hot room means a hot computer
• Consider a laptop stand that elevates the device for better airflow
• If your computer consistently overheats, it may need professional cleaning or thermal paste replacement

What Network Weather shows you

Network Weather monitors CPU temperature to identify when heat—not network issues—is degrading your call quality.