Why Is My Tablet Overheating During Video Calls And How To Prevent It

Tablets have become essential tools for work, education, and staying connected with loved ones. With the rise of remote communication, video calling apps like Zoom, Google Meet, and FaceTime are in constant use. But many users report a growing concern: their tablets get uncomfortably hot during these calls. While some warmth is normal, excessive heat can degrade performance, shorten battery life, and even cause permanent hardware damage. Understanding the root causes—and knowing how to mitigate them—is crucial for maintaining both comfort and device longevity.

Why Tablets Overheat During Video Calls

Video calls place significant demands on a tablet’s hardware. Unlike reading an e-book or browsing social media, video conferencing requires simultaneous operation of multiple high-power components:

• Camera and microphone: Both front and rear cameras must remain active, processing visual and audio data in real time.
• Processor (CPU/GPU): Encoding and decoding video streams, especially in HD or 1080p, consumes substantial processing power.
• Display: Bright screens running at high resolution increase energy draw.
• Wi-Fi/Network module: Constant data transmission to send and receive video and audio adds to thermal load.
• Background apps: Other processes continue to run, competing for resources and generating additional heat.

When all these systems operate simultaneously over extended periods—such as during a one-hour team meeting or family call—the internal temperature rises. Without adequate cooling mechanisms (tablets lack fans), heat accumulates faster than it can dissipate.

“Prolonged thermal stress can accelerate battery degradation by up to 40% over six months,” says Dr. Alan Reyes, senior electronics engineer at the Mobile Device Research Lab. “Many users don’t realize that heat is more damaging than battery cycles.”

Common Causes of Excessive Heat Buildup

While video calls inherently generate heat, certain factors worsen the problem. Identifying these can help you take preventive action.

Poor Ventilation

Using your tablet on soft surfaces like beds, couches, or laps traps heat underneath the device. These materials block air vents (often located along the edges or back) and act as insulators, preventing natural convection cooling.

High Screen Brightness

Brightness levels above 70–80% significantly increase power consumption. The display alone can account for up to 60% of total energy usage during video calls.

Running Multiple Apps Simultaneously

Having email, messaging, browsers, or streaming apps open in the background forces the processor to multitask, increasing CPU utilization and heat output.

Outdated Software or Firmware

Older operating systems or unpatched apps may contain inefficient code or bugs that cause unnecessary resource strain. Manufacturers often release updates that optimize thermal management and improve app efficiency.

Direct Sunlight or Hot Environments

Using your tablet in direct sunlight, near radiators, or in a hot car compounds internal heat generation. Ambient temperatures above 35°C (95°F) make cooling nearly impossible.

Tip: Never leave your tablet charging in direct sunlight—even briefly. Combined heat from charging and solar exposure can trigger thermal shutdown.

Step-by-Step Guide to Prevent Overheating

Preventing overheating doesn’t require technical expertise. Follow this practical sequence before and during your next video call.

1. Close all unnecessary apps. Swipe through your recent apps menu and close anything not essential to the call.
2. Lower screen brightness. Adjust to 50–60% or enable auto-brightness to let the tablet adapt to lighting conditions.
3. Use a hard, flat surface. Place the tablet on a desk, table, or tray—never on fabric or your lap directly.
4. Disable Bluetooth and GPS. Turn off features you aren’t using to reduce background system load.
5. Enable Airplane Mode temporarily (if possible). If you’re connected via Wi-Fi, turning on Airplane Mode and then re-enabling Wi-Fi disables cellular radios, which can generate excess heat.
6. Position the tablet upright with a stand. This improves airflow around the chassis and reduces contact with surfaces.
7. Take breaks during long calls. Pause for 2–3 minutes every 30 minutes to let the device cool down.
8. Keep the room cool. Use fans or air conditioning to maintain ambient temperature below 27°C (80°F).

Do’s and Don’ts: Tablet Thermal Management

Do’s	Don’ts
Use a ventilated tablet stand	Place the tablet on a pillow or blanket
Update your OS and apps regularly	Ignore software update notifications
Turn off unused features (GPS, Bluetooth)	Run games or videos in the background
Charge fully before long calls	Use the tablet while fast-charging
Clean storage to improve performance	Cover the device with cases during calls

Tip: Remove thick or insulated cases during video calls. They trap heat and hinder dissipation.

Real-World Example: Sarah’s Work-from-Home Setup

Sarah, a freelance graphic designer from Portland, used her iPad Pro daily for client meetings. After just 20 minutes on Zoom, the device would become too hot to hold. She noticed lagging video and occasional disconnections. Initially, she assumed the issue was age-related—her iPad was two years old.

After consulting a tech support forum, she tested a few changes: she removed her silicone case, lowered screen brightness, closed her design apps running in the background, and placed the iPad on a metal tray acting as a heat sink. She also updated her iPadOS version, which included a patch for camera optimization.

The difference was immediate. Her next 90-minute client call produced only mild warmth, no performance drops, and stable connectivity. By addressing environmental and usage habits, Sarah extended her tablet’s usability without needing upgrades.

Checklist: Prevent Overheating Before Your Next Call

Print or bookmark this checklist to ensure optimal conditions every time you go live.

• ✅ Close all non-essential apps
• ✅ Lower screen brightness to 50–60%
• ✅ Remove protective case
• ✅ Connect to stable Wi-Fi (avoid weak signals)
• ✅ Disable Bluetooth, GPS, and NFC
• ✅ Place tablet on a hard, flat surface
• ✅ Ensure room temperature is comfortable (below 27°C / 80°F)
• ✅ Charge tablet fully before starting
• ✅ Use a stand for better airflow
• ✅ Schedule short breaks for calls longer than 45 minutes

When to Worry: Warning Signs of Serious Overheating

Mild warmth is expected. However, certain symptoms indicate potential danger:

• Automatic shutdowns: The device powers off mid-call despite sufficient battery.
• Performance throttling: Sudden frame drops, frozen video, or delayed audio.
• Visible warping or bulging battery: A swollen battery is a fire hazard—stop using immediately.
• Unusual smells: A burning or chemical odor suggests internal component failure.

If any of these occur, discontinue use and consult an authorized service provider. Continued operation under extreme heat risks irreversible damage to the battery, logic board, or display.

“The safest approach is proactive prevention. Once thermal runaway begins, even factory cooling designs can’t compensate,” warns Mei Lin, product safety analyst at Consumer Electronics Watchdog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can overheating permanently damage my tablet?

Yes. Repeated exposure to high temperatures degrades lithium-ion batteries, reducing capacity and lifespan. In severe cases, heat can warp internal components or solder joints, leading to costly repairs or replacement.

Is it safe to use my tablet while charging during a video call?

Not ideal. Charging generates its own heat, and combining it with intensive tasks like video calls multiplies thermal load. If possible, charge fully beforehand and disconnect the cable during the call.

Do cooling pads work for tablets?

Some passive cooling pads made of aluminum or graphite can help conduct heat away. Active cooling pads with fans are less effective due to poor contact but may offer minor relief. Avoid gimmicky “tablet coolers” with loud fans—they rarely deliver meaningful results.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Tablet’s Temperature

Overheating during video calls is a common but avoidable issue. By understanding the demands placed on your device and adjusting simple habits—from removing cases to managing background apps—you can maintain cooler operation, smoother performance, and longer hardware life. Technology should serve you comfortably, not force you into uncomfortable trade-offs between connectivity and device safety.

🚀 Start today: Apply one tip from this guide before your next video call. Monitor the difference in temperature and performance. Share your experience in the comments—your insight could help another user avoid a costly repair.