PC and Gaming Emergencies¶

Custom gaming PCs, laptops, and handheld consoles represent significant financial investments. Hardware liquid cooler leaks, extreme thermal throttling, swollen lithium batteries, GPU artifacting, and sudden power supply spikes require immediate emergency action to prevent total hardware destruction or fire hazards.

Select a guide below for step-by-step technical recovery procedures.

PC and Gaming Emergency Guides¶

• Custom PC Overheating and Liquid Cooler Leak: Emergency response for AIO and custom loop liquid coolant leaks, CPU thermal throttling, and immediate power cutoff.
• GPU Artifacting and System Hardware Crashes: Troubleshooting green lines, checkerboard artifacts, VRAM failures, and power supply unit (PSU) tripping.
• Portable Console Battery Swell and Hardware Safety: Safe handling of swollen lithium-ion batteries in Steam Decks, Nintendo Switches, VR headsets, and handheld gaming PCs.

Core Rules for Hardware Emergencies¶

1. Cut Main Power Immediately: If liquid coolant drips or electrical burning smells occur, flip the power supply switch or pull the AC power cord instantly.
2. Never Charge Swollen Batteries: Discontinue using and charging any gaming device with a bulging case or swollen battery.
3. Allow Full Drying Time: If liquid contacts electronic components, allow at least 48 to 72 hours of thorough drying in a ventilated room before applying power.