Why is my computer overheating?

This sounds like a thermal throttle issue, disabling your computer again and checking thermal pads and thermal paste is your only good option. Make sure you did not bend your heat pipes either as that can cause “lift” on the CPU where the heat sink appears to make full contact but doesn’t actually.

If your Dell computer overheats and shuts down within minutes, the issue may go beyond dusty fans. Check if the CPU thermal paste has dried out—reapplying it can significantly improve cooling. Ensure vents are unobstructed and the cooling fan is actually spinning. Use a hard, flat surface (not a bed) to allow airflow.

Also, scan for malware or heavy background apps causing high CPU usage. Update BIOS and drivers. If overheating persists, the heatsink or fan might be faulty, or there could be a motherboard issue—professional servicing may be required.