m15 R5, left side palmrest getting hot, is it normal?

Question

When I use my m15 R5, at the left side of my palmrest, it starts getting hot when I run it on battery. I am starting to get scared. Dell support said to replace fans and heatsink, which I think is the very wrongest thing to do. Is it supposed to get hot? I checked Jarrod's tech's review and it looked normal.

crimsom · Accepted Answer

Hi @535645636473 the m15 series of laptops have Hybrid Power Design, power is drawn from ac adapter and battery during heavy loading. Battery discharge is an expected behavior of hybrid design on the Alienware m15 systems to maintain full system performance under extreme heavy loading conditions.

If you continue to have concerns about battery status, it should be removed for visual inspection. Then decide if laptop should have an internal battery. Seemingly a Desktop would be more agreeable to alleviate your concerns.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @535645636473 welcome to this user to user discussion forum. This is not Dell Support.

After removing base cover and battery, we are left with the palm-rest and keyboard assembly.

Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5

palm-rest and keyboard assembly

The Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5 is designed to deliver maximum processing power and it gets hot, just below 100°C typically. The palm-rest and battery are in close proximity. The palm-rest backlight is enabled in the BIOS, and the palm-rest gets hot.

It is possible to remove battery and look at the palm-rest, but without specialist knowledge, everything will look normal. You could create a Battery Report, but it might say everything is normal.

Please click on Kudos to say thank you for response from user that is not employed by Dell. Please share an update on progress, so that other users derive benefit from your experience. Thank you.

535645636473 · Answer

So how do  we fix this? Do we turn off palmrest backlight? And is the battery the cause of the heat? I have heat a specific spot here.  It stops after the power cord is plugged in, it cools down after

crimsom · Answer

Hi @535645636473 thank you for sharing update complete with image.

This could be serious and the battery could be the root cause. There is only one way to find out what is happening, and that is to remove base cover and remove battery.

Is this m15 R5 still under Dell warranty?

535645636473 · Answer

Yes, it is. I already did a live chat, and I am very disappointed with dell. They said I need to replace heatsink and fan. What monstrosity. They deleted gpu drivers like WHAT?????

crimsom · Answer

Hi @535645636473 seemingly this m15 R5 is more than 30 days old, opportunity to Reject has passed and has entered first year basic Dell warranty? You may have purchased Premium or Premium plus to get international Dell warranty support.

Please visit your online Dell account and check that you are registered as the owner of this m15 R5. The battery has Dell replacement warranty for first year only.

Please ask Dell Support to create Service Request for you, so that Dell knows there is a problem to fix. Request that Dell install a new replacement battery at their earliest opportunity. Request that all damaged parts are replaced under Dell warranty.

Battery chemistry will continue, and reduce battery capacity to charge, irrespective if laptop is being used or not. Laptop without battery is designed to function as Desktop on ac adapter power. Dell may ask that battery is disconnected, and you may decide to do this without further delay.

Please share an update on progress, so that other users derive benefit from your experience. Thank you.

535645636473 · Answer

I don't get heat like 80c or something like that, and I ran a scan on supportassist, and it said that the battery test passed. I will use a heat sensor to check the heat. Yes, I might replace the battery soon if this what it is, so thanks for that suggestion. It also stays cool while charging when the whole device is off

535645636473 · Answer

These are the palmrest temperatures I got

crimsom · Answer

Hi @535645636473  thank you for sharing images of laptop surface temperatures. Could it be that this is your first Alienware laptop. These laptops are designed to deliver maximum processing power and they get hot. Remove ambient temperature of your location from these readings to get rise in temperature, and these laptop surface temperatures are not hot.

535645636473 · Answer

And it doesn't occur when power adapter is plugged in, ONLY ON battery power

crimsom · Answer

Hi @535645636473 thank you for sharing update.

When your get m15 R5 working hard, under CPU load with GPU intensive graphics, this laptop's CPU will get hot, just below 100°C typically. I put my Alienware on a flat surface, table or wooden tray, and increase the bottom rear gap with a wedge so that air intake is not compromised.

535645636473 · Answer

This is my first Alienware Actually. So It isn't a problem at all? sometimes it reaches 40c. And yes I don't know how alienware literally works, so oops. and this is Idle Temperature

535645636473 · Answer

Ooh ok, so they also push a lot of power even while browsing? And thanks for letting me know about the Hybrid Power Design. This will be marked as a solution.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @535645636473 for the typical user, noticeable reduction in battery run time generally will be observed after 18 to 24 months. For a power user, reduction in run time generally may be experienced within 18 months. Dell recommends buying a new OEM laptop battery when the run time does not meet your needs. Dell Laptop Battery - Frequently Asked Questions | Dell US

Please create Windows 10 Battery Report to get full information on battery status.

Alienware

m15 R5, left side palmrest getting hot, is it normal?

Was this post helpful?