Is your Mac getting very hot or are the fans running constantly at high speed? Here's how to cool things down.

Symptoms

  • Mac gets very hot on the bottom or near the hinge

  • Fans are loud even with light tasks

  • System feels sluggish during overheating

Step-by-Step Resolution

1. Ensure Proper Ventilation

  1. Place your Mac on a hard, flat surface

  2. Avoid covering the vents (usually near the hinge on MacBooks)

  3. Consider using a laptop stand or cooling pad

2. Close Heavy Apps and Tabs

  1. Open Activity Monitor (Command+Space, type "Activity Monitor")

  2. Look at the CPU tab for apps using high CPU

  3. Quit unneeded video editing software, games, or browser tabs streaming multiple videos

3. Check for macOS Updates

  1. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update

  2. Install all available updates

  3. Apple often includes thermal management improvements, especially for newer Macs

4. Reset SMC (Intel Macs Only)

  1. Shut down your Mac

  2. Press Shift+Control+Option (left side) and the power button for 10 seconds

  3. Release all keys

  4. Turn on your Mac

Note: Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3) don't have an SMC. Restarting usually resolves similar issues.

5. Check for Dust Buildup

If your Mac is older:

  1. Use compressed air to gently blow dust from vents

  2. Be careful not to damage components

Persistent overheating? This may indicate thermal paste degradation or internal issues. For safe thermal diagnostics and cleaning, our team can help.

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