Is the fan blowing and your MacBook Pro heating up for no reason like a stove? If you're in this situation, we assure you there's a solution. A hot MacBook Pro can suddenly shut down while you're still working. The tips below can help you deal with this overheating problem.
Why is my MacBook Pro heating up for no reason?
A heated MacBook can have many causes. These include too many open applications, multiple browser tabs, and blocked ventilation. Every computer has to deal with this. But with some MacBook models, it's very common. For example, the 2019 MacBook Air seems to be more susceptible to overheating, probably due to its compact casing.
There's only one vent at the hinge, making it difficult to dissipate heat. This is yet another reason why your MacBook Pro heats up for no reason. For example, if you use your MacBook in bed, duvets and pillows can also block the airflow.
Likewise, if you're working on heavy applications, like playing a graphics-intensive game or rendering video, it makes sense that your MacBook will be a bit heavier. If you're still working on other applications in the meantime, you may especially suffer from overheating on the MacBook Air. Apple didn't design this laptop for processor-intensive tasks, so it's important to slow down and close some applications first.
Below are some tips to fix your MacBook Pro that is heating up for no reason.
1. Choose a hard, cool surface if your MacBook Pro heats up for no reason
Choose a hard, flat surface like a desk to place your MacBook Pro on. This allows the fan to do its job without blocking the airflow. This way, you can prevent your MacBook Pro from overheating unnecessarily.
Soft surfaces like a pillow on your lap are less suitable. They retain heat and create dust particles more quickly. As a result, air circulation cannot take place properly. Of course, it is also advisable to avoid direct sunlight as much as possible. A temperature between 10 and 35 degrees Celsius is ideal. You can also purchase a dedicated laptop cooler. This is essentially an external fan that provides additional cooling. It makes a little more noise.
2. Close the software after use if MacBook pro heats up for no reason
When a MacBook Pro heats up for no reason, it's not just caused by the physical environment. It's also software-related. If you try to use too many applications at once, the processor struggles. There may also be all sorts of processes running in the background that you can ignore. You can find this out via the Activity Monitor on your Mac.
Here, you'll find the processes that are using the most CPU in the %CPU tab. Click at the top of the column to sort. You'll see apps and processes that are using around 80% or more of the CPU. Sometimes this can happen if an app has crashed or wasn't closed properly. Click on the process and close it with the X in the top left corner. A known culprit is Google Chrome. If this bothers you, consider switching to Safari or Firefox.
Also check out: iPhone battery draining fast - here are the steps to fix it
3. Update macOS and reset the SMC
Of course, we could have started this tip with the advice to always keep macOS as up-to-date as possible. But you probably already know this as a reader and always install updates as soon as they're released. If you haven't already, now's the time. You may still see bugs in the version of macOS you're running that were fixed in a later update. Some software may not have been updated to the latest version of macOS yet, so it's running less efficiently.
It's also a good idea to reset the SMC on your Mac. SMC stands for System Management Controller . If it's not working properly, your fans may not turn on in time. And this will cause your laptop to overheat. So, avoid your MacBook Pro from heating up for no reason by considering this tip.
Also, with SMC reset you can fix cooling; lighting; screen and keyboard lighting issues of your MacBook or Mac.
4. Change fan settings
If all goes well, everything will work out by itself, and you won't have to manually adjust anything for your MacBook's fans. However, if your laptop is constantly overheating and you want to increase the fan speed, you can do so with third-party applications. Of course, this makes a little more noise and wears out the fan faster. But it's better to protect vital parts, which are often much more expensive to replace. For example, you can use Mac's Fan Control, a free tool that can be controlled via the menu bar.
5. Check your MacBook battery
Your MacBook's battery may be burned out, making it less efficient and unable to dissipate heat. You can have your battery checked by a service provider , or you can also perform a visual check yourself. Is your MacBook warped or do you notice the trackpad is under pressure? Sometimes the battery pushes the trackpad upward, making it easier to use. There may also be dust and dirt around the fan vents.
If you have an older MacBook that you can unscrew, open the case and see if any dust particles have accumulated around the fan. You can then immediately check if the battery still looks good. If not, it's time to contact the Electronics Depot to arrange an appointment.
Conclusion
We're confident that now, if your MacBook heats up, you'll know what to do. Please, if you need additional information on how to secure your devices to prevent overheating, you can contact our technical support team. We also have a technical repair center and qualified personnel who can assist you if needed.
We will then be delighted to welcome you to our premises located at 3335 rue jean talon est. Montreal QC, H2A 1W6 Canada. We are available Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
