Why Does My Tablet Overheat During Video Calls Cooling Tips That Work

Video calls have become a daily necessity—for remote work, virtual classes, or staying in touch with loved ones. But if your tablet grows uncomfortably hot during these sessions, you're not just risking discomfort; you're potentially shortening the device's lifespan. Overheating can throttle performance, drain the battery faster, and even trigger automatic shutdowns. Understanding why this happens and how to prevent it isn't just convenient—it's essential for maintaining your tablet’s health and efficiency.

The truth is, modern tablets are powerful but compact. When pushed hard—especially during prolonged video calls—they generate significant heat. Unlike laptops, they lack internal fans and robust ventilation, making thermal management a real challenge. However, many of the causes are avoidable, and most overheating issues can be mitigated with simple, practical steps.

Why Tablets Overheat During Video Calls

Video calling is one of the most demanding tasks for a tablet. It requires simultaneous use of multiple high-power components: the camera, microphone, speaker, Wi-Fi or cellular radio, display at full brightness, and the processor handling encoding and decoding of video streams. This convergence of activity creates what engineers call a \"thermal load.\"

When all these systems run at once for extended periods—such as during a 60-minute Zoom or Google Meet session—the internal temperature rises quickly. Without adequate airflow, that heat accumulates. Most tablets rely on passive cooling (dissipating heat through the chassis), which works well under normal use but struggles under sustained stress.

Additional factors like direct sunlight, thick cases, or background apps further restrict heat dissipation. Even software inefficiencies—like poorly optimized video conferencing apps—can cause the CPU to work harder than necessary, increasing power consumption and heat output.

Tip: Close unused apps before starting a video call to reduce CPU strain and lower heat generation.

Common Causes of Tablet Overheating

Not all overheating is caused equally. Some triggers are environmental, others are usage-related, and some stem from device design limitations. Recognizing these can help you take targeted action.

• Prolonged video call duration: The longer the call, the more continuous processing is required, leading to heat buildup.
• High screen brightness: Brighter screens consume more power and generate more heat, especially on OLED displays.
• Thick or insulating cases: Rubberized or bulky cases trap heat instead of allowing it to escape.
• Direct sunlight or warm environments: Using your tablet near a window or in a hot room increases ambient temperature, reducing cooling efficiency.
• Background apps and processes: Syncing, updates, or streaming music in the background add to CPU load.
• Outdated software: Older operating systems or app versions may lack power-saving optimizations.
• Charging while in use: Charging generates additional heat, and combining it with video calls compounds thermal stress.

“Tablets are designed for intermittent high performance, not sustained loads. Continuous video calling pushes them beyond their intended thermal envelope.” — Dr. Rajiv Mehta, Electronics Thermal Management Specialist

Proven Cooling Tips That Work

Preventing overheating doesn’t require expensive tools or technical expertise. With a few smart habits and minor adjustments, you can keep your tablet running cooler and more reliably—even during back-to-back meetings.

1. Optimize Your Environment

Avoid using your tablet in direct sunlight or near heat sources like radiators or stoves. Even ambient room temperature plays a role. Ideally, keep your environment below 77°F (25°C). If you’re near a window, close blinds during peak sun hours.

2. Remove Protective Cases During Long Calls

While cases protect against drops, they also act as insulation. For long video sessions, remove the case to allow better heat dissipation. If you must keep it on, choose a slim, ventilated model made of materials like aluminum or mesh fabric.

3. Lower Screen Brightness

Reduce screen brightness to 50–60% during video calls. You don’t need maximum brightness indoors. Consider enabling auto-brightness so the tablet adjusts dynamically.

4. Disable Unnecessary Features

Turn off Bluetooth, GPS, and haptic feedback when not needed. These services run in the background and contribute to energy use and heat. Also, disable any animated wallpapers or live widgets.

5. Use Wi-Fi Instead of Cellular Data

Wi-Fi is generally more power-efficient than 4G/5G. If you're on a cellular-connected tablet, switch to a stable Wi-Fi network whenever possible to reduce radio strain.

6. Avoid Charging During Calls

Charging adds heat from both the battery and power circuitry. If your battery is above 30%, delay charging until after your call. If you must charge, use a low-wattage adapter (e.g., 5W) instead of fast chargers.

Tip: Place your tablet on a cool, flat surface like a wooden desk—not on bedding or your lap—where airflow is restricted.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooler Video Calls

Follow this sequence before and during your next video meeting to minimize overheating risk:

1. Prep Phase (5 minutes before):
   • Close all unused apps.
   • Lower screen brightness to 50%.
   • Turn off Bluetooth, location services, and notifications.
   • Remove the tablet case.
   • Ensure you're connected to Wi-Fi.
2. Setup Phase (2 minutes before):
   • Position the tablet on a hard, flat surface.
   • Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources.
   • Launch only the video conferencing app.
3. During the Call:
   • Disable camera if audio-only is sufficient.
   • Use headphones to reduce speaker load.
   • Monitor device temperature—if it feels hot, pause and let it cool.
4. Post-Call (Immediate):
   • Close the video app completely.
   • Let the tablet rest for 5–10 minutes before resuming heavy use.
   • Reapply case only after it has cooled down.

Do’s and Don’ts: Tablet Cooling Best Practices

Do’s	Don’ts
Use your tablet on a hard, flat surface	Place it on a bed, pillow, or blanket
Remove the case during long sessions	Keep thick rubber cases on during calls
Lower screen brightness	Run at 100% brightness unnecessarily
Close background apps	Leave streaming or gaming apps running
Use Wi-Fi over cellular data	Rely on 5G for long calls without strong signal
Take breaks between long meetings	Chain multiple hour-long calls without pauses

Real Example: How Sarah Fixed Her Overheating iPad

Sarah, a freelance graphic designer, started experiencing frequent iPad shutdowns during client Zoom calls. Her device would grow hot within 20 minutes, eventually triggering a warning: “iPad needs to cool down before you can use it.” Frustrated, she considered buying a new model—until she reviewed her usage patterns.

She realized she was using the iPad on her couch, covered by a wool blanket, while charging with a 20W fast charger. She also had five apps running in the background, including a cloud sync service and a music streamer. After removing the case, switching to a desk, lowering brightness, and closing unused apps, her iPad stayed 15°F cooler during calls. She no longer faced interruptions, and battery degradation slowed noticeably over the next three months.

Sarah’s experience highlights how small behavioral changes can have outsized impacts on device performance and longevity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it dangerous if my tablet gets hot during a video call?

Occasional warmth is normal, but excessive heat—hot enough to be uncomfortable to hold—can damage internal components over time. Lithium-ion batteries degrade faster at high temperatures, and prolonged exposure can reduce overall lifespan. If your tablet frequently shuts down due to heat, it’s a sign to change your usage habits.

Can I use a cooling fan or pad for my tablet?

Yes, small USB-powered cooling fans designed for phones and tablets can help. While not as effective as laptop cooling pads, they improve airflow around the device. Alternatively, placing the tablet near a desk fan (not directly blowing water or dust) can assist passive cooling. Avoid refrigerating or freezing devices, as condensation can cause internal damage.

Does closing the video feed reduce overheating?

Absolutely. Turning off your camera reduces the load on the front-facing camera sensor, image processor, and encoding system. In group calls where your video isn’t essential, disabling it can significantly lower CPU usage and heat output. Audio-only mode is far less taxing on the system.

Cooler Calls, Longer Device Life

Your tablet is built to handle video calls—but not indefinitely under poor conditions. By understanding the thermal limits of your device and adjusting how you use it, you can prevent overheating, maintain smooth performance, and extend its usable life. The key is proactive management: optimize settings, control your environment, and respect the device’s physical constraints.

These strategies aren’t temporary fixes—they’re sustainable habits that protect your investment. Whether you're teaching online, attending board meetings, or catching up with family, a cooler tablet means fewer interruptions, better battery health, and a more reliable experience overall.

💬 Have a tip that helped you keep your tablet cool? Share your experience in the comments and help others avoid the frustration of overheating devices.