How to Stop your MacBook from Overheating
Is your Mac making noise like a hair dryer? Well, that's not just your Mac's way of expressing itself – it's telling you that your computer is overheating. Let's dive into the guide of why your MacBook's fan is overheating, how you can prevent it.
Why is the MacBook fan so loud?
The fan of your MacBook Air (Pro) can be loud for various reasons. One common cause is that your computer gets too hot. This can happen when you reboot your Mac or when you have many apps running at the same time. Also, if you use your MacBook in a wrong way, such as putting it on your lap or on a blanket, you can block the cooling system. Then, the fan has to work harder and makes more noise and heat. It sounds like your Mac is ready to fly!
But sometimes, the fan of your MacBook is not loud because of overheating. It could be a sign of some hardware issues, such as:
- A broken or faulty thermal sensor or controller, software glitch.
- A damaged Mac fan control (cooling system).
- A cracked heat pipe.
- A worn-out thermal paste.
If your MacBook fan is too loud, you should check the temperature sensors. You can use some third-party apps, like iStat Menus, to do that. Your Mac’s temperature should be between 30-50 degrees in normal mode and 50-70 degrees when the fan is on.
How to stop a MacBook’s fan from making noise
Sometimes, MacBooks get too hot because of how they are used. Here are some ways to keep your Mac cool and quiet:
1. Put your MacBook on a hard, flat surface
Avoid using your MacBook on your lap, especially on a blanket. Using your MacBook on any soft surface, like a pillow, bed, or couch is not recommended. Apple MacBooks have vents on the bottom that need to be clear. And it's not only about blocking the airflow. Some materials can trap heat by themselves, which is bad for passive cooling. If you like working in bed, use a special laptop stand. Otherwise, your MacBook might overheat and damage the hardware.
2. Check the ventilation of the system unit
This tip is more for iMac or Mac Mini users. These Mac computers are usually placed on a flat hard surface. However, make sure that your Mac is not in some corner. Your Mac needs free air circulation. Otherwise, your Mac will definitely overheat and its fan will run all the time making a loud, annoying noise. When choosing where to put your Mac computer, consider not only the aesthetics but the proper ventilation.
3. Clean the dust
Sometimes, a Mac’s fan system can get dirty with dust. Dust prevents normal airflow and stops the Mac from cooling properly. You will have to open the case to clean the dust. It is not very hard and you can do it yourself. However, do not use a wet cloth; dust must be cleaned with compressed air. If you are not sure how to clean the dust, contact the Apple service center for cleaning and maintenance of your Mac’s cooling system.
4. Reset system management controller (SMC)
Every Mac computer has a system management controller (SMC) which controls many system functions, including temperature regulation. The SMC is the System Management Controller, which controls various hardware functions on your Mac.
To reset the SMC on a MacBook, follow these steps:
1. Disconnect all devices from your MacBook except the power adapter.
2. Press and hold the Shift+Control+Option keys and the power button for 10 seconds.
3. Release the keys and the power button at the same time.
To reset the SMC on an iMac, follow these steps:
1. Turn off your iMac.
2. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.
3. Release the power button and turn on your iMac.
You should see a brief flash of the power indicator light, which means the SMC has been reset.
Note: This option does not work on M1 Macs. The M1 chip does not have an SMC.
5. Quit heavy-consuming apps
Some apps, such as Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, or having too many browser tabs open, use a lot of RAM memory. You should quit any apps that use a lot of memory when you are not using them. If you have many heavy-consuming apps running at the same time, your Mac may overheat and make noise.
You can use MacCleaner Pro to find and quit your heavy-consuming apps and free up RAM memory.
To quit heavy-consuming apps with MacCleaner Pro, follow these steps:
1. Launch MacCleaner Pro.
2. Go to the Speed Up section in the sidebar.
3. Click on Heavy Consumers and select the apps that you don't need that use a lot of RAM.
4. Click the Speed Up button and confirm the action.
In conclusion, fixing an overheating Mac can be a simple and effective way to improve its performance and extend its lifespan. Remember to monitor your Mac's temperature and regularly clean up your system from junk apps and files to prevent future issues.