Dell G15 Gaming Laptop CPU Throttling and Thermal Paste Fix Windows 11

If your Dell G15 gaming laptop is running slower than it should, the fans are always loud, and you notice frame drops during gaming, the problem is almost certainly CPU and GPU throttling caused by overheating. Dell G15 laptops are capable machines but the stock thermal paste can dry out over extended use, causing temperatures to spike above 95 degrees Celsius and forcing the processor to reduce its speed to protect itself. This guide explains how to confirm throttling on the Dell G15, fix it through software settings, and apply fresh thermal paste for long-term temperature control.

Why the Dell G15 Throttles on Windows 11

Dried Thermal Paste Blocks Heat Transfer

The factory thermal paste on Dell G15 laptops is adequate at launch but degrades over time under repeated heat cycles. Once it starts to crack and separate, the thermal interface between the CPU die and the heat pipe becomes inefficient. Heat cannot escape fast enough, temperatures climb rapidly under load, and the processor throttles automatically as a protective response.

Windows 11 Balanced Power Plan Limits Performance

Windows 11 defaults to a Balanced power plan which caps the CPU’s maximum processor state at around 50 percent when on battery and sometimes even on AC power. For gaming on a Dell G15 this means the CPU never reaches its advertised boost clock speeds and performance stays far below what the hardware can deliver.

Dell Thermal Mode Set to Quiet or Balanced

Dell’s Command Center application controls the fan curve and thermal profile. If the thermal mode is set to Quiet, the fans run at low speed to reduce noise, which means heat builds up much faster under gaming load. The CPU and GPU hit their thermal limits sooner and throttle more frequently.

How to Fix Dell G15 Thermal Throttling

Step 1 — Set Dell Thermal Mode to Performance

Open Dell Command Center from the Start menu or the Dell Mobile Connect app. Navigate to the Power section and change the Thermal Management setting to Performance or Custom. In Custom mode you can set both the CPU and GPU fan curves to run faster at lower temperatures, keeping the hardware cool before throttling becomes necessary.

Step 2 — Set Windows 11 Power Plan to High Performance

Right-click the Start button and go to Power Options. Click Additional power settings and select High Performance. If High Performance is not listed, open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: powercfg -duplicatescheme 8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635c. This creates the High Performance plan. Setting this removes the CPU frequency cap that Balanced mode applies and allows the processor to boost freely.

Step 3 — Repaste the CPU and GPU Heatsink

If temperatures remain above 90 degrees after software changes, replacing the thermal paste delivers the biggest improvement. Use Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut or Arctic MX-6. Remove the eight screws on the Dell G15 bottom panel and lift it off. Unscrew the heatsink mounting screws in the cross pattern shown on the heatsink. Clean the old paste from the CPU and GPU dies with isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free cloth. Apply a small pea-sized amount of fresh paste to the center of each die and reassemble in reverse order.

After repasting my Dell G15 5520, CPU temperatures dropped from 97 degrees to 74 degrees under full gaming load. The performance improvement was immediately noticeable with no more frame drops or stutters during extended sessions. — Kyle R., Reddit r/DellG15

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I confirm my Dell G15 is thermal throttling?

Download HWiNFO64 and run it during a gaming session. Look for the Thermal Throttling indicator in the sensor list. It shows as True when the CPU is reducing speed due to heat. You can also check Intel Extreme Tuning Utility or AMD Ryzen Master depending on your processor model.

Will repasting the Dell G15 void the warranty?

Opening the laptop bottom panel to access the heatsink may void your warranty depending on your region and Dell’s current terms. If your laptop is still under warranty and experiencing thermal issues, contact Dell Support first — they may repaste it under warranty service at no cost to you.

What thermal paste should I use for the Dell G15?

Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut, Arctic MX-6, and Noctua NT-H1 are all excellent choices for laptop repasting. Apply only a small pea-sized dot to the center of each die. Avoid spreading it manually — the heatsink pressure distributes it evenly when reassembled.

Does the Dell G15 throttle when gaming on battery?

Yes. On battery power, Dell G15 significantly limits both CPU and GPU performance to extend battery life. Always plug in the AC adapter when gaming. Even with full power connected, ensure the Dell Thermal Mode is set to Performance in Dell Command Center for maximum output.

Conclusion

Dell G15 thermal throttling under Windows 11 is fixed most reliably by combining software settings with hardware maintenance. Start by setting Dell Thermal Mode to Performance and Windows Power Plan to High Performance. If temperatures remain high after these changes, replacing the dried thermal paste on the CPU and GPU heatsink will bring temperatures down by 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and restore the laptop to its full gaming performance.