220-1101 Question 391
Single answerOverheatingA technician is troubleshooting a desktop PC that shuts down unexpectedly after about 15 minutes of gaming. The user reports that the system runs normally for light web browsing. In the BIOS hardware monitor, the CPU temperature climbs rapidly under load. The case fans spin, but the technician notices a thick layer of dust on the CPU heatsink and one of the front intake vents is blocked by debris. Which of the following is the BEST next step to resolve the issue?
- A
Clean the heatsink and intake vents, verify proper airflow, and retest system temperatures under load
- B
Replace the power supply because unexpected shutdowns usually indicate unstable voltage delivery
- C
Increase the monitor refresh rate to reduce GPU frame timing delays and lower CPU load
- D
Disable automatic shutdown protection in BIOS so the system can continue running during testing
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This question tests practical troubleshooting of overheating in a real-world desktop scenario. When a PC shuts down under heavy load but not during light use, and CPU temperatures rise rapidly, overheating should be a primary suspect. Visible dust on the heatsink and blocked intake vents provide clear evidence of restricted airflow. According to standard PC maintenance best practices and common manufacturer guidance, technicians should inspect and clean fans, vents, and heatsinks; ensure unobstructed airflow; and then verify temperatures during operation. Thermal shutdown features in BIOS/UEFI are protective mechanisms and should not be disabled as a workaround. While unexpected shutdowns can also be caused by power issues, the most appropriate action is to resolve the confirmed heat-related cause first.
- A. Correct.
Correct. The symptoms strongly indicate overheating caused by restricted airflow. Dust buildup on the CPU heatsink reduces heat dissipation, and blocked intake vents limit cool air entering the case. Cleaning the cooling components and restoring airflow is the most appropriate first corrective action. After cleaning, the technician should retest temperatures under load to confirm the issue is resolved.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A failing power supply can cause random shutdowns, but this scenario includes direct evidence of thermal problems: rapidly rising CPU temperature in BIOS and visible dust obstructing cooling. Replacing the PSU before addressing the confirmed airflow issue would not be the best next step.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Monitor refresh rate settings do not address CPU overheating caused by inadequate cooling. This option reflects a misunderstanding of system performance tuning versus thermal management. Even if gaming workload contributes to heat, the immediate issue is that the cooling path is obstructed.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Thermal shutdown protection exists to prevent hardware damage when temperatures exceed safe limits. Disabling this protection is unsafe and does not fix the underlying problem. Best practice is to correct the cooling issue, not bypass protective safeguards.