How does cold temperature affect laptops?

We often hear about computers overheating, leading to performance degradation and component wear, but what happens if the temperature drops too low?

We often hear about computers overheating, leading to performance degradation and component wear, but what happens if the temperature drops too low? Can cold cause the same damage to your laptop as overheating? Let's find out right below.

The screen may freeze and crack

The first problem you need to worry about when your laptop is exposed to freezing temperatures is that the screen will break. Modern laptops typically use some type of liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. As their name suggests, LCD technology uses a layer of liquid crystals to display images.

The LCD monitor can handle operating conditions from 0°C (32°F) to 50°C (122°F), with a slightly wider storage (idle) range. The colder the outside temperature, the more response delay the screen will experience because the molecules inside the LCD panel move more slowly. The screen starts to lag and you may even experience ghosting. These 'damages' are not permanent. The screen will bounce back when you return the device to a warmer area.

However, if the LCD screen experiences extremely cold temperatures, such as below -20°C (68°F), the liquid inside the panel can literally freeze. At this time, expansion will occur and put pressure on other components inside the screen, leading to various types of permanent damage, such as discoloration, uneven backlighting, and even Complete cracks on the screen.

If you have a laptop that uses an OLED display, the same general principles apply. While OLEDs are slightly more resistant to cold weather, they can also become unresponsive when temperatures drop and become permanently damaged if the temperature drops below -20°C (68°F).

How does cold temperature affect laptops? Picture 1 How does cold temperature affect laptops? Picture 1

The battery may be permanently damaged.

The battery is said to be even more susceptible to temperature effects than the display. This is also why modern electric cars must be equipped with a heating system to keep the battery warm. Lithium-ion batteries do not have the ability to withstand cold temperatures really well. Their operating temperatures range from -10°C (14°F) to +50°C (122°F). Batteries will begin to lose voltage and capacity as temperatures get colder, even above freezing.

You should also not attempt to charge the battery if the temperature is below freezing, i.e. below 0°C (32°F). Cold weather increases the battery's resistance through a process called "lithium plating", which means the battery is harder to charge and requires more power, which is harmful to the battery's longevity. If we are talking about permanent damage caused by extreme cold, then the battery can permanently lose capacity due to irreversible chemical reactions.

The circuit can withstand extremely cold temperatures, however…

Condensation can kill your laptop. Just as sudden changes in temperature can cause a battery to expand and contract, when the air inside your laptop becomes very cold or very hot quickly, water vapor in the air condenses. Water vapor accumulates inside the chassis in the form of mist and tiny water. The worst case scenario is that water impacts the motherboard or CPU/GPU, leading to a short circuit and complete damage.

Normally, the air inside the chassis is quite similar to the air outside the environment thanks to vents and fans. That's why it's not the cold that causes condensation but, rather, the rapid temperature change.

Avoid extreme cold to make your laptop last longer

Prevention is better than cure, so avoid exposing your laptop to extremely high or low temperatures whenever possible. For example, don't leave your laptop in your car when the temperature drops below freezing. If you need to carry your gear in cold weather, consider purchasing an insulated carrying bag, preferably one that's water-resistant in case of snow or rain.

Also, avoid too sudden temperature changes. If your laptop has been left out in the cold for a while, don't bring it straight into a warm room. Instead, leave the device in the coldest part of the house for 30 minutes to an hour to avoid condensation.

If your job requires working outdoors in freezing temperatures, a typical consumer laptop won't cut it. You need a specialized laptop designed to withstand weather and harsh environments thanks to its thick protective shell. A typical example is the Dell Latitude 5424 and many other models being sold on the market.