Overheating

Overheating occurs when IT hardware generates or absorbs more heat than the available cooling system can dissipate. Components affected can include processors, servers, switches, power supplies, storage systems and other electronic equipment. Common causes include insufficient ventilation, blocked air vents, defective fans, dust accumulation, high ambient temperatures or intensive system workloads. If components exceed their permitted temperature ranges, automatic protection mechanisms such as thermal throttling can reduce performance or shut down the system. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can also affect hardware reliability and service life. Temperature monitoring, suitable cooling systems, sufficient airflow and regular maintenance are therefore important measures for reliable IT operations.