Why Is My MacBook Overheating? Tips for Cooling It Down

MacBook Overheating

Mac models like MacBook Pro and MacBook Air have very sophisticated cooling systems that are designed to make sure that the gadgets don't overheat. However, it is bound to happen one day. Most of the Mac owners have experienced an overheating Mac, from fan spinning and performance down. In certain conditions, overheating can also lead to physical damage to components. So, in this blog, ‘Why Is My Macbook Overheating? Tips for Cooling It Down’, our experts at Fix N’ Talk, the top MacBook Repairs Adelaide will discuss the reasons behind MacBook overheating and the tips to cool it down. Here’s what to do if your Mac is overheating and how to avoid it from happening in the first place.

Why does my MacBook get so hot?

The gadget gets heated up due to a  number of factors. They are : 

Too much stress on the CPU

Yes, you read that right. Too much pressure on the CPU also results in overheating problems. The harder the Mac processor cores are working, the chances are they will heat up. You might have noticed that your Mac is performing very slowly when you try to open a browser or even a video editing app. This is mainly due to the fact that these kinds of big apps are running many processes while using your Mac’s processing capability and ultimately making your Mac struggle. 

High ambient temperature

If you are not aware, Macs are specifically designed to comply with temperature variations. This is the main reason Apple recommends using the Mac at places where an ambient temperature is between 50 degrees and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Placing your Macbook under the sunlight will negatively impact your device, as it shortens the life of the device and it can be quite dangerous to the computer also. 

Clogged or blocked fans

Most of us love to use our Mac in many places including in our bed. Who doesn't love to sit cozily in the bed in a blanket burrito? But let me tell you, a warm blanket can be the main reason your MacBook is overheating. Have you ever noticed the vents at the back of your Mac, They are used to blow the warm air from the components inside the Mac. So, if the vents are clogged or even blocked, there won't be any places for the warm to go when the fans kick in. 

 Malware

Malware can be very difficult to spot on a MacBook but it will cause a lot more problems to your Macbook, including heating up Some of the common threats on a MacBook include browser hijackers, backdoors, and adware. So, it is very important to check your device for malware, if you feel like it’s been heating up for no obvious reasons. 

Frozen or unresponsive apps

This is one of the most common reasons for MacBook overheating. If the apps freeze and misbehave, Mac Book will have those spinning wheels appear on the screen. It is still consuming on Mac’s memory. If you have a lagging app in the gadget, your Mac allocates more CPU resources to fix it. This results in heating the processor. 

How to Cool Down Your MacBook

1. Check Your Environment and Air Circulation

The first thing to look for if your MacBook is overheating is external factors. It includes the the surface you have on the MacBook and the sun. If your device is on a soft surface, for example, a bed or even a blanket, it will restrict the airflow. So, make sure to place your MacBook on a flat surface that doesn't block the air vent. It will increase the airflow and cool down your gadget. The second one is the environment. Your lap can heat up in an already hot environment. So, make sure that your device is not exposed directly to the sun.

2. Quit Runaway Apps Using Activity Monitor

Runaway apps can be any apps on your device that utilize a lot of CPU even though you are not running the app. The high use of the CPU can cause the device to overheat.

On a MacBook, you can use Activity Monitor to find apps using a lot of power. So, click on them and press the "X" to close. This helps your MacBook run better by freeing up its energy, making it cooler, and stopping it from getting too hot.

3. Clean Your Mac’s Memory

Cleaning the memory of your Mac device will certainly help to improve the performance. It frees up the system resources and optimizes memory usage as well. This is one of the best methods you can use to cool down your MacBook. However, keep in mind that the MacOS operating system is designed to manage memory efficiently and it frees up memory automatically if needed. Manually cleaning up memory is not generally needed unless you face certain issues like overheating. 

4. Avoid Using Google Chrome

The Google Chrome browser can cause your MacBook to work extra hard resulting in overheating. The browser is a very CPU-intensive program, and if you tend to use the app too often, you can expect the device to overheat. Apple has its default browser- Safari which is specifically designed for macOS. It consumes much less resources than Chrome. So, make sure to browse via Safari.

5. Close Unused Tabs on Your Browser

Working your MacBook with a ‘n’ number of opened windows is strictly a no. The more tabs you use, the more resources the MacBook will use. This will result in overheating. So, make sure to close unused tabs on your browser.