I recently downloaded a small game on my Windows 11 laptop, which has usually functioned well. However, I've noticed my fan running at full speed and my laptop heating up even when I only have an internet browser open. Restarting my laptop didn't help, and when I checked Task Manager, it closed on its own while the fan turned off, only to ramp back up again afterward. After trying to delete the game files, I had trouble interacting with my desktop, forcing me to restart yet again. Disconnecting from the internet seemed to decrease the fan issue briefly, but then my laptop reconnected automatically, and the problem returned. I ran a full scan with Windows Defender, which found nothing, but I couldn't perform an offline scan. I'm worried that there might be malware, possibly mining software, on my system. What should I do?
5 Answers
Also keep in mind that it might not be malware at all. If your laptop shuts down immediately when unplugged, there's a chance your battery is failing, which can cause overheating issues. You might want to get that checked out too.
Before diving into drastic measures, try rebooting in safe mode and see if you can uninstall the game from there. That might help bypass any rogue processes that are keeping the files active. If that doesn’t work, a factory reset may be the quickest way to clear any nasties out.
Sounds like you might have a serious issue on your hands. If the fan is going crazy and your laptop is overheating, it could indeed be malware. I suggest disconnecting your laptop from the internet entirely and then trying to delete the game files. This might minimize any potential processes that are causing the problem. You should also consider running a second opinion malware scan with software like Malwarebytes just to be safe!
Just a thought, but you could try turning off the Wi-Fi from your router temporarily. That might help you delete those game files and troubleshoot without interference.
I understand your concern, and I agree with others that scanning with Malwarebytes would be wise. If you’ve already ruled out malware with Windows Defender and can’t do an offline scan, a full Windows reinstall might be a good option. Just remember to change all your passwords afterward!
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