ASUS Zenbook UX303LA problems with fan and random sudden sleep

Hello everyone,

I purchased a 303LA (non-dedicated video card model) 2 months ago in December, replaced the SSD with a 500GB one and did a fresh Windows 8.1 install + reinstalled all the ASUS drivers from the laptop's support page. Other than that no additional modifications to the machine.

Everything has been working wonderfully until this past week. I usually leave my computer on sleep mode at night but a few days ago I woke up to find the computer had an unexpected shutdown. Since then the laptop randomly goes into sleep mode a few times a day despite me having all forms of automatic sleep disabled in the power options. When I put it to sleep in the evening I also sometimes wake up to find it in what I assume is a hibernation state - mouse/kb activity doesn't wake it up and I have to press the power button to turn it on, which makes it display the ASUS boot splash logo but all my applications are where I last left them.

The fan also now runs constantly and much louder from startup. It only quiets down if I idle for at least 10 minutes, but if I even so much as navigate to a new web page it'll begin spinning at full blast again. Temperatures have hit 95C with just web browsing and about 63C while idle (according to HWMonitor, though it only feels moderately warm to the touch). I've opened it up again to check for dust but it's still quite new and clean inside.

I have the laptop connected to an external monitor and external keyboard/mouse. Any troubleshooting ideas?

 

Welcome to NBR! Sorry to hear about the problems.
From all the information you provided it sounds like an overheating issue. Do you have the notebook on a flat surface so it can breathe from the bottom, not on carpet or anything like that. Also make sure the rear vents are clear so they can exaust properly.

Is it possible you knocked the heat sink off the CPU when you were upgrading the SSD? If you have thermal compound around I would suggest repasting it. If you do not have any then order some, IC Diamond works great, and reapply the thermal compound on the CPU.

 

Thanks for the reply. I have it in a cool environment with good airflow so I opened it up again and it looks like the latter suggestion may actually be the problem. I'm assuming the black X clamp is the heat sink?



I nudged it a bit and it came right off. Interestingly it doesn't have any screws holding the clamp down. The thermal paste underneath is still moderately sticky so I applied a little pressure/wiggling and it's sticking on for the time being. After turning on the laptop again the fan is quiet and it's showing a cool 48C while idle.

It looks like I definitely need to replace the thermal paste. I'm absolutely sure I never touched any screws on the heat sink when replacing the SSD though so I believe this laptop didn't come with any. Should I also get some screws to secure the heat sink? If so what's the best way to find out the right screw size?

 

There should be 4x screws holding it down. Did you get this brand new? If so I would contact the place you got it form, or Asus directly to see if they can get you new screws. Unfortunately I dont know the size it uses. You will want to have screws in there for sure so it keeps pressure on the CPU and transferring heat properly. Once you get those screws you will also want to clean off all the existing thermal compound and apply new. When you push it down on existing thermal compound it creates little air pockets which increases heat.
At least we know what the cause is.

 

Yep, bought it brand new from Amazon. Unfortunately the SSD replacement voids the warranty on this model according to ASUS. I didn't have time for the minimum 5 business day repair process anyways so I took it to a local shop who installed some screws for free. May still need to replace the thermal paste later as they didn't touch that though.

Thanks again for the help in diagnosing the problem.

 

Happy to help!
Glad you got some screws put in there. Get some new thermal compound on there as soon as you can though. We always recommend IC Diamond, and here is how they suggest applying it http://www.innovationcooling.com/application.html

 

Installing an SSD voids the warranty? I'll be sure to avoid Asus laptops. Glad you got it fixed though.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

I have always avoid Asus due to issues like this. I once owned a Asus F3e which had a thermal design issue and contacted them when a crack appeared was told warranty was void as it was cosmetic damage. Then down the line the sdcard reader fails and that was so say a cosmetic issue. Then when I said about I purcashed extended warrenty when I bought the laptop I was told that it wasn't worth the paper it was written on. Asus's warranty is a sham I bet booting the laptop for its first time to them is a warranty voider. Hope your able to get the screws bud.

 

I believe that this would be the case due to it being an ultrabook model.. I don't think this would be a problem for the ROG laptops but you never know.

 

Typically, no OEM encourages end users to open up their system. Anything that warrants opening/breaking down a laptop by the end user tends to risk one's warranty.

 

I contacted Asus Czech with the same question about a year ago. First stage customer support told me I should not open the laptop because of possible damage caused even by static electricity. It makes some sense but still I got through to some technical guy and he told me unless I remove the yellow stickers that were on some parts, it is OK. So basically you can change the SSD - that is no problem (just to be sure, do not leave visible marks of your screwdriver around ) but you shouldnt replace the battery etc. I am fine with that. BTW you can always but the initial disc drive back into place when sending for warranty repair.

 

Your local laws may prohibit manufacturer from disallowing customers to upgrade their components. As long as you exercise caution and proper technical procedures then you will be fine.

 

Typically, you can open it up and do what you need to do so long as you don't accidentally damage something and/or leave traces of your tinkering behind. A lot of OEMs prefer end users to not open up the laptop at all just to play it safe altogether.