2/9/23, 11:50 AM DT Knowledge - Mac overheating and loud fan noise

Mac overheating and loud fan noise

KB0054477 - Latest Version
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Issue
Fan makes a loud noise and the computer overheats.

Environment
Mac

Cause
Mac fan may kickstart when you're running intensive tasks or resource-heavy apps that make your Mac overheat.

Resolution
1. Free up memory and processing power:

a. Open Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities).

b. In the CPU tab, you will see the list of all active tasks and apps. The most resource-heavy will be at the top.
c. Click the task and press the "X" sign in the top left corner to quit the processes.

2. Run Apple Diagnostics:

a. All Mac except MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020 (https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201300)

Turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold the D key on your keyboard as your Mac starts up.
Release when you see a progress bar or you're asked to choose a language.
Select your language. Apple Diagnostics will run automatically.

b. For MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)

Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button as your Mac starts up.
Release when you see the startup options window, which includes a gear icon labeled Options.
Press Command (⌘)-D on your keyboard.
3. Reset your Mac's SMC:
To reset your Mac, please refer to IT Hardware: Resolving power, performance or peripheral issues (SMC Reset) (KB0008718) (https://surf.service-
now.com/kb_view.do?sys_kb_id=ab6881e02b21de4cf1454f9ab5da1563&sysparm_rank=1&sysparm_tsqueryId=93d3b8f0dbc664505ad34f781396196c)

If the issue is not resolved, Submit an Incident. (https://surf.service-now.com/esc?

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Contact
Contact IT

Chat online using Now Bot. (https://surf.service-now.com/esc) on Employee Portal or Now Mobile.

Or post your questions or issues in our IT Support Employee Community forum. (https://surf.service-now.com/community?
id=community_forum&sys_id=2031a481dbf358500adbc4be139619b6)

Or call us: Americas +1 858 436 7650 (tel:+1 858 436 7650); EMEA +31 20 565 1666 (tel:+31 20 565 1666); APJ +61 2 9321 2277 (tel:++61 2 9321 2277)

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2/9/23, 11:50 AM DT Knowledge - Mac overheating and loud fan noise

 Revised by Jorge Cinco

Last modified 5 months ago

Helpful? 100% found this useful

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Baz Mistry 
5mo ago

Hi another cause for the macs overheating is the air vents becoming clogged up with dust, so a quick blast with compressed air will remove any fluff stuck
in the side vents.
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