Are you wondering “Why is my Mac overheating so fast?” No worries! This article is for you!
Macs have their own cooling system on their device to stop overheating. When you use the MacBook for a prolonged period, it creates overheating issues and damages your system.
There are many reasons for Mac overheating like outdated OS, using many apps, poor ventilation, damaged internal components, and more. Sometimes, people with a new Mac also experience heating problems. This blog briefly explains the reasons and solutions for “Why is My Mac overheating?”
Start reading!
Why Is My Mac Overheating So Fast?
There are various reasons why my Mac keeps overheating. Typically the most common reasons for overheating issues are poor ventilation and placing your Mac in the hottest places. Generally, you know that dust is also the most prominent for inducing heat.
Mac keeps overheating when you continue in use because the processor makes a lot of functions. For example, opening too many tabs on browsers like Google Chrome or Safari creates an overheating issue because it’s performing multitasking.
Another common point for my Mac keeps overheating for no reason is an outdated version of the OS. The outdated version will make your device perform slowly & produce overheating while working. As a result, it increases the processor’s strain and creates Mac overheating so fast.
Let’s briefly look at how to stop my Mac from overheating!
# 1. Examine CPU Usage
The first important thing to check is inspecting the CPU when you experience a mac that keeps overheating. Using third-party apps is not required to scan the CPU. Examine the CPU load using Activity Monitor by the steps mentioned below:
- Open “Activity Monitor” on your device
- Choose “Finder”
- Select “Applications”
- Then click “Utilities”
- Tap the “CPU” tab
Here, you will view the list of apps and processors that trigger the CPU performance. Try to remove the unnecessary apps by selecting them and clicking the “X” buttons.
# 2. Restart Mac
Most of the time, restarting your Mac might fix the overheating problems. Too many background activities will accumulate when you use a Mac for a long time. In such situations, restarting your device will help remove unnecessary things and give a fresh look to operate.
Read the below steps to stop my mac keep overheating:
- Move to the “Apple icon” located in the upper-left corner of your screen
- Now, choose the “Restart” tab
- Your Mac will automatically restart
# 3. Close The Browser Tabs
Generally, Google Chrome or Safari takes a massive amount of power from the CPU because of high-level usage. Opening more browser tabs at a time are not required when you use it. Sometimes, checking the websites on browsers may run a video or ads causing your Mac overheat. In such cases, closing the unwanted tabs on your browser will help to reduce heat automatically.
# 4. Update macOS
In general, software-related issues will lead to Mac overheating so fast. You can overcome the issue by updating your macOS often. These software updates will rectify the major and minor bugs in your system.
Here are the basic steps to stop my Mac from mac overheating:
- Select “Apple menu” in your menu bar
- Choose “About Mac”
- Check whether your system needs an update
- If there are any updates available, download and install it
It is also preferable to click the “Update automatically” box whenever the updates are available.
# 5. Reset SMC
System Management Controller (SMC) manages the hardware component on your Mac. It includes functions like cooling fans and other temperature-related problems. Resetting SMC on your device depends on the type of your Macbook.
Mac with removable battery:
- First, switch off your Mac
- Remove the battery
- Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds on your device
- Now switch on your Mac
Mac with non-removable battery:
- Turn off your Mac
- Simultaneously, press “ Shift + Control + Alt (Option) + Power” keys for 10 seconds
- Now, release those keys
- Press the power button to switch on your Mac
Desktop Macs:
- Shut down your mac device
- Remove the power cord and wait for 15 seconds
- Now, insert the power cord again
- Wait for 5 more seconds and switch on your Mac
#6. Check Activity Monitor
The activity monitor on your system views apps that are running on Mac and their performance. You can perform the below-mentioned steps for Mac is overheating:
- Move to “Finder” by clicking the blue and grey face icon on your screen
- On the left-sidebar of the navigation menu, choose “Applications”
- Now select, “Utilities”
- Open the “Utility” by clicking the “Activity Monitor” on the resulting page
An alternative method to solve computer keeps overheating Mac is done by the following methods:
- Tap the “Activity Monitor” on your desktop to open the utility
- After that, move to “View → All process”
- Choose the “CPU” tab
- The above steps will arrange the apps and their processors
- Figure out the apps that involve in the CPU resources
- Double-click on the app and select the “Quit” option. If the apps or processors don’t respond, you might also use the “Force Quit” button
Another most accessible and simplest way to close an app or processor:
- First, select the app that causes Mac overheating for no reason
- Then move to “View”
- Now, choose “Force quit”
You can follow the above steps to close the required apps that cause Mac overheating problems.
#7. Manage Graphic Settings
The two important cards in MacBook pro computers are more powerful and less powerful. Usually, more powerful cards require high resources and may cause the Mac keeps overheating. Switching between the graphic cards can prevent overheating issues. Here are the simple steps for switching the automatic graphics as follows:
- Go to “System Preferences” on your screen
- Choose “Battery”
- From the battery section, activate “Automatic graphics switching”
Your Mac will choose less powerful cards when your system needs them.
#8. Check Air Vents On Mac
As you know, you can use a MacBook anywhere while sitting on the couch or bed. It overheats your Mac because it is surrounded by blankets or pillows and blocks Mac’s air circulation. Here is the location of the vent placed on your MacBook:
- MacBook Pro: Air’s ventilation is seen on the side and the back
- MacBook Air: Air’s ventilation is viewed near the clutch on the back
One of the physical reasons for my Mac is overheating and making noise is the accumulation of dust around your vents. When the dust particles accumulate, it blocks air circulation on your Mac. In such situations, it is recommended to take your Mac to professional engineers to clean the dust particles.
#9. Clear Junks And Remove Malware
Using your system for an extended period accumulates junk, slowing down Mac’s performance. Also, when you visit any websites, it indirectly installs harmful apps on your system. Try removing those junk and apps from your device using the mac cleaner apps. It is available online in both free & paid versions that you can choose. Applying cleaner apps will remove junk files safely and stop my Mac from overheating.
Final Thoughts:
Overheating is the most common issue among Mac users. It is best to find the root cause for the problem and implement the above-mentioned tips to solve your Mac overheating so fast. Also, concentrate on downloading the apps, software, and much more. Using malware apps helps to clean viruses & temporary caches. We hope that the mentioned solution will fix your Mac overheating.