Phone Overheating Problems: Causes and Fixes

It’s normal to have a hot phone after extensive use. Overheating, however, is what happens when your device gets so hot that it throttles back performance, dims the screen or turns off apps entirely, flashes a temperature warning and refuses to charge at all. If it occurs frequently, you should act right away — because heat can silently […]

It’s normal to have a hot phone after extensive use. Overheating, however, is what happens when your device gets so hot that it throttles back performance, dims the screen or turns off apps entirely, flashes a temperature warning and refuses to charge at all. If it occurs frequently, you should act right away — because heat can silently damage your battery and internal components.

In this guide, you’ll learn what causes your phone to overheat, the best solutions you can do at home and the obvious signs it’s time to book a repair.

Why phone overheating matters (and what it can damage)

Heat isn’t just annoying.Over time, phone overheating can:

* Decrease battery life (battery swells, drains fast or does not charge).

* Lead to random shutdowns, lag and apps crashing.

* cause harm to charging ports, screens and internal chips

* Set off moisture indicators (as heat + humidity = risk for condensation).

So, while one hot day in the car might not kill your phone, repeated overheating absolutely can. Get details on Phone Repair in Campbelltown.

Common causes of phone overheating

Let’s break down the real reasons most phones get too hot.

1) Heavy apps and background activity

Gaming, video editing, TikTok/Instagram scrolling, GPS navigation, and video calls push your processor hard. Also, if apps keep running in the background, your phone never truly “rests”.

What you’ll notice:

* Phone warms up near the camera area (often where the CPU sits)

* Battery drops fast while doing “normal stuff”

* Phone gets hot during video calls or gaming

2) Poor signal or constant network searching

If you’re in a place where the signal is low, your phone does extra duty trying to find reception. That extra power translates into heat — especially on 4G/5G.

Clue: phone overheats most in lifts, basements, rural zones, or inside large buildings.

3) Charging issues (big one)

Charging creates heat naturally. Still, excess heat while charging can mean:

* Cheap or damaged cable/adapter

* Dirty charging port

* Fast-charging conflict

* Battery health issues

* Charging while gaming or streaming

If your phone gets hot and slows charging, that’s a warning sign.

4) Direct sun and hot environments

Australia’s sun is no joke. Placing a phone on a dashboard, beach towel or in front of a sunny window can cause the temperature to quickly exceed safe levels.

Tip: dark phone cases absorb heat more than you think.

5) Battery ageing or swelling

An older battery can generate more heat under load. In worse cases, it starts to swell and push against the screen or back cover.

Don’t ignore these signs:

* Screen lifting slightly

* Back cover bulging

* Sudden shutdowns at 20–40%

* Battery dropping fast + phone running hot

6) Software bugs or updates

Sometimes an app update (or system update) causes runaway background activity. Your phone may heat up even when you’re not using it—because something is stuck in a loop.

7) Case and ventilation problems

Some thick cases trap heat, especially during charging or gaming. If your phone only overheats with the case on, that’s an easy fix.

8) Water damage or internal component fault

Moisture exposure can corrode circuits and cause abnormal power draw. Also, a failing component (power IC, charging IC, shorted board line) can create heat fast.

This is where DIY fixes stop helping. Looking for a Phone Repair in Bossley Park?

Quick fixes you can try at home

Before you worry, go through these steps in order. They are easy and, surprisingly often, they work.

Step 1: Stop charging and cool it down safely

* Unplug the charger.

* Move it out of sunlight.

* Close heavy apps.

* Let it cool naturally.

Avoid: fridge/freezer (temperature shock can cause condensation and damage).

Step 2: Turn on Airplane Mode for 5–10 minutes

If signal hunting is the reason, this instantly reduces heat. After cooling, switch Airplane Mode off again.

Step 3: Check battery usage (find the “heat hog”)

Go to Settings → Battery and look for apps using unusual power. Then:

* Force close the app

* Disable background activity (where possible)

* Update the app or uninstall it

Step 4: Reduce load and heat triggers

Small changes make a big difference:

* Lower screen brightness

* Turn off location services when not needed

* Disable 5G if your area has patchy coverage

* Stop playing while charging (seriously, this is a major cause)

Step 5: Replace your charger/cable with a quality one

Use genuine or certified accessories (Apple MFi, reputable USB-C PD adapters). Cheap chargers can run hot and stress the battery.

Step 6: Clean the charging port (carefully)

Lint in the port can cause poor connection, resistance, and heat.

* Use a torch to check inside

* If you’re confident, gently remove lint with a non-metal tool

If you’re unsure, don’t poke around—bring it in. A damaged port costs more than a quick clean.

Step 7: Restart, then update software

A restart clears stuck processes. After that:

* Update your phone OS

* Update apps

* Check if overheating started right after a specific update (that’s useful for diagnosis)

Step 8: Last option: backup and reset (only if needed)

If overheating continues and battery stats show no obvious culprit, a reset can help. Still, if it’s hardware-related, a reset won’t fix it. Get details on Mobile Repair Shop in Casula.

When overheating means you need a repair

Here’s when it’s no longer “normal” warmth and you should get it checked.

You should book a repair if:

* The phone shows a temperature warning repeatedly

* It overheats during light use (messages, calls, idle)

* It overheats every time it charges

* Battery drains extremely fast, even after closing apps

* The phone shuts down randomly or throttles constantly

* You notice battery swelling, screen lifting, or back cover separation

* The charging port feels hot or smells “burnt”

* The device was exposed to water and now runs hot

At ED Mobile, we typically check:

* Battery health and charging behaviour

* Charging port condition and cable fit

* Thermal patterns (where the heat starts)

* Software load vs hardware load

* Board-level faults (if required)

And yes—sometimes it’s just a tired battery. Other times, it’s a charging IC or power management issue that needs proper tools.

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How to prevent phone overheating in everyday Aussie conditions

A few habits keep your device cooler and healthier:

* Don’t leave your phone in the car (even “just 10 minutes”)

* Remove thick cases during gaming or fast charging

* Charge on a hard surface, not a bed or couch

* Use Wi-Fi when possible (it often runs cooler than weak mobile data)

* Keep apps updated

* Replace your battery when health drops and heat becomes common

FAQs: Phone Overheating Problems

1) Is it normal for my phone to get hot?
Yes, slight warm is normal while gaming, video calls, and charging. But regular overheating of your phone, complete with hot warnings, lags and shutdowns is not normal.
Soars is a bad charger, a broken cable, fluff in the port or an aging battery. Charging + heavy use makes it worse, too.
Yes. Heat speeds up battery wear and can cause swelling or decreased capacity.
No. If the currently warm phone cools off suddenly, condensation can form inside it and cause corrosion.
It's often a background app, signal hunting, or software glitches. If it persists even after the updates and restart, it is probably hardware issue.
It can, especially in places with scarce access. 4G can lower the heat and help preserve your battery.
Yes, thick cases can hold in heat. If the overheating problem is solved without the case, you’ve just found an easy fix.
Fast battery drain, Random power off, Overheating with light use, Swell(screem lift/back bulging).
If it’s very hot and warning or shutting down, stop using it and let it cool. Repeated overheating should be inspected.
That’s thermal protection. The phone reduces brightness and performance to cool down.
On occasion, yes— particularly if an app or OS bug is generating high background activity. If it’s a hardware issue, updates will not fix it.
If it overheats while simply being used lightly, charging is consistently hot, you see warnings or you observe swelling/crashes, bring it in for a quick diagnosis.