How to Make a Laptop Cooling Pad

A laptop cooling pad is an essential tool if you are using your laptop heavily. As you run games and other heavy applications on your laptop, its processor works at higher speeds, which could lead to overheating problems. This is where a laptop cooling pad comes in. A laptop cooling pad is a docking platform for your laptop containing cooling fans and constructed in such a way that it allows air to freely circulate beneath your laptop to prevent the laptop from overheating. One of the most common causes of an overheating laptop is when it is placed on a soft surface, such as a bed or a cushion, instead of a flat surface. You do not have to purchase a laptop cooling pad; instead, you can make your own using the materials listed below and following the instructions thoroughly.

Step 1-Cut out the Acrylic

Measure the length and width of your laptop and transfer the measurements on a large acrylic sheet, which you can purchase at your local home improvement store. Use a power saw to cut the acrylic sheet to its measurements. Mark the position of the cooling fan at the bottom of your laptop and cut a hole large enough to accommodate the fan of your laptop cooling pad on the acrylic sheet.

Step 2-Connect the USB Cable Wires to the Fan

Using pliers, cut off one end of the USB cable. Leave the end of the USB cable that is attached to your computer. There will be four wires: black, green, red and white. You will only use the black and red wires, so you can disregard the other two wires. Connect the red wire of the USB to the red wire of your cooling fan and do the same with the black wires. Make sure that the wires are well connected to each other. Secure each pair of wires with electrical tape.

Step 3-Mount the Fan

Insert the cooling fan in the hole on the acrylic sheet that you earlier cut in step 1. Make sure to position the fan in such a way that it rotates in the same direction with your laptop’s cooling fan. Secure the cooling fan on the acrylic by either using superglue or screws.

Step 4-Lay Felt Circles

Attached a layer of felt circles at each of the corner of the acrylic sheet and secure with superglue. You can purchase felt circles at your local home improvement depot. The layers of felt circles give vertical clearance between your acrylic cooling pad and any surface.

Step 5-Finishing Touches

Put your laptop on top of your homemade acrylic cooling pad. Take note that the fans in your laptop and in your cooling pad is aligned. Plug the cooling pad USB to the USB port of your laptop and check if the fan in your cooling pad is turning. If not, it is most probably because of incorrect wiring. Check your wiring and make the necessary changes.