MacBook gets hot
There are several ways to prevent your MacBook from getting very hot or even overheating. In this blog, the specialists at ThePhoneLab explain why laptops or computers get hot and what you should pay attention to in order to use your laptop at the right temperature. Keep your MacBook cool!
MacBook gets hot
It is not at all unusual for a MacBook to get hot sometimes. After all, it is and remains an electrical appliance. Of course, you can read in the manual exactly what you need to do to keep your laptop cool – yet we are happy to give you additional tips.
1. Cool surface
To keep your MacBook cool, it is important to use a good surface. Therefore, do not put your laptop in bed, on the couch or on a pillow, but on a stable and hard surface such as a desk. This way the fans have free rein and warm air does not get stuck. Moreover, you prevent the laptop from picking up excessive dust. The very best surface is – it is specially made for it – a laptop stand.
2. Temperature
Working in very high or low temperatures is not pleasant for anyone, including your MacBook. Do not use or leave your laptop in an area colder than 10°C or warmer than 35°C. Do not leave your laptop in the car in the middle of summer or winter. You should also make sure that no condensation forms, as this can have a nasty effect on the components of your laptop, such as the hard disk.
3. Software
If your MacBook needs to process a lot of software, sometimes the processor (CPU) can’t keep up. This can be the case when using heavy graphics apps like Photoshop, video editing apps like Apple Premiere Pro or a 3D rendering program like KeyShot. So try not to use too many apps at once and make sure all software updates are installed before using the laptop.
4. Activity view
Even without you realizing it, processes can be active in the background, making the MacBook hot and keeping the fans running. Fortunately, there is a way to check the activities of the CPU, through the Activity View window. Here you can immediately see which processes are running and which are demanding the most power from the CPU. Via one simple click, you can immediately forcefully stop the culprit. And on!
5. Disconnected MacBook
Always make sure not to cover any of the MacBook’s openings. This applies to the air vent, fans, USB outlets, as well as the keyboard or speakers, for example. This way hot and cold air can always continue to circulate.
MacBook makes a lot of noise
A MacBook that gets hot also tends to make a lot of noise. This is due to a fan that has to work hard, so it keeps blowing heavily and therefore makes a lot of noise. Almost every laptop (except for the very latest MacBook Air) has one or more fans, which allow hot air to leave the laptop, and cool air to take its place. This is the air cooler for the CPU, the processor inside the laptop. The more the processor has to process, so the harder the fan has to work and the more noise the MacBook makes. If the fan is not working properly, such as because it is faulty or dirty, it will continue to cause noise. Learn more about the fan (and how to keep it clean!) in the Knowledge base of ThePhoneLab.
My MacBook stays hot
Does your MacBook stay hot despite all the tips? Try restarting the laptop. If an overheated laptop is really a recurring problem, it could be due to the fans. Learn more about fans in the blog ‘ MacBook fan cleaning‘ in our Knowledge Base. You can also run an Apple Diagnostic, a feature from Apple that allows the laptop itself to look for any problem.
Control MacBook
If you have any (other) questions about any of our tips or find it difficult to implement them yourself? The specialists at ThePhoneLab are always ready to take a look with you. We can safely open the laptop, and almost always see the problem right away. We can also repair your MacBook thorough cleaning, a service that we recommend you to have performed annually (with intensive use of the laptop). Within an hour we can turn your dirty laptop back into a fresh and functioning laptop. Take a look at our website for a location near you and stop by!
