m15 R3, overheating, My Alienware unusable

Question

I have an Alienware m15 R3 running Windows 11 with all the newest updates to everything except My Alienware which tells me there is an update, won't let me use it without the update, and throws an error every time I attempt to update making it 100% unusable. I've used the repair on it, I've turned off all virus and malware protection after a fresh reboot and absolutely cannot update it. I assume this is the app I would be able to get my paid support with because I cannot find any other area to log in through to use my overpriced extra support for my overpriced computer.

I was trying this because my machine runs hot. I have overclocked off, thermal set to cool, and I keep it raised in the air yet the surface temperature is uncomfortably hot to the touch even on the keyboard. I think up near the battery is running hot enough to blister skin if you touched it for long. There is no way I could use it as a laptop as it is far too hot to comfortably leave on my lap or type with.

You may be able to tell from the tone of my writing that I am tremendously frustrated.

crimsom · Accepted Answer

Sign-in to Dell Account and create Service Request

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Dalberon this is a user to user discussion forum. To use the existing Dell warranty, please log into your online Dell account and create Service Request. Include all information and request technical assistance. How to Create a Service Request - Dell Technologies

fhill · Answer

I have the same PC as you. I don't know what your specs are, but mine has the i7-10750H processor, 16 GB of RAM and RTX 2070 Super GPU. I found long ago that the best way to deal with the heat issue is to never allow the PC to run overclocked. The most reliable way to do this is to do the following in Windows 11: Click the Start button; type control panel; type power options; select Power Options; click Create a power plan and use whatever name you like; click Next and click Create. Click Change plan settings and then Change advanced power settings; go to Processor power management and click to expand; click Maximum processor state to expand; set both On battery and Plugged in to 99%. Then, click OK. This will keep the computer from ever going above the designed frequency of the processor.

I did this months ago at the suggestion of someone on this forum or Reddit (can't remember which) and it has made a HUGE difference in heat while having virtually zero affect on performance. My PC never runs above 80c, even in the most demanding games, and typically runs in the 50-60c range when doing work. As an FYI, I've never gotten a satisfactory explanation of what the non-OC versus OC settings are in the AWCC, since it always seems to overclock in the Balanced setting. And, your new power plan should appear in AWCC so that you can select it. I hope this helps. My PC runs like a charm and never overheats. Best of luck and let us know if it makes a difference.

Dalberon · Answer

Thanks Argentum, I have setup a plan as you described and will find out tomorrow during the work day if it makes a difference.

Dalberon · Answer

That leads to an article that leads to an error page.

This is certainly going to decide if I pay for an extended warranty. Since the warranty has resulted in nothing of help from Dell itself after several days of effort on my part it seems clearly a waste of money.

Dalberon · Answer

They must have been down when I hit first thing this morning.  I am logged into the service area with it bookmarked.  Funning the full suite of diagnostics before I open an ticket.

Dalberon · Answer

Does anyone know the GPU/CPU temperatures that the machine shuts down at?  Support had me install some software, after I shut down from heat, and I can see those temps now, but I don't know where the danger zone is so I can shut it down.

Dalberon · Answer

100C is what support told me, in case someone else is looking for the information.

Agrones115 · Answer

My laptop has been running at 100c for months now and I’ve been trying everything I could find to fix the issue. This worked instantly, dropping it to 60-70 within a couple minutes. Thank you so much.

Vester80 · Answer

I just repaired an m15 R3 laptop that randomly shutdown, even in BIOS. After reseating the CPU and GPU (unnecessary in retrospect) and running various scans which revealed nothing other than four viruses, I reinstalled Windows 10 and upgraded to Windows 11. It ran a BOINC project with no issues until all updates had been installed. I am not sure which driver was involved, but it could have been Nvidia driver 531.29.

My resolution: Start in Safe Mode and navigate to Startup Settings. Enter 7 for "Disable driver signature enforcement." Restart.

In reference to CPU temperatures bouncing around 100C, that is not a problem. It is an Intel design feature. Intel engineer video

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m15 R3, overheating, My Alienware unusable

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