TL;DR
To stop MacBook from overheating:
- Shut down high-CPU apps to prevent overheating.
- Fewer browser tabs reduce CPU load and heat.
- Safari uses less power than Chrome, helping prevent heat.
- Clean vents regularly to improve airflow and reduce heat.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
If your MacBook gets hot after just a few hours of use, you’re not alone. Many people deal with loud fans and slow performances, but simple fixes exist. In this post, I’ll share practical tips to help keep your MacBook cool and running smoothly based on solutions that work.
Signs That Your MacBook Is Overheating
If your MacBook is overheating, you might notice several signs:
- 🔥 Hot to the Touch: The MacBook becomes unusually hot, especially around the bottom or keyboard area.
- 🌬️ Fan Noise: Your MacBook fans become loud, running at high speeds as they try to cool down the internal components.
- 🐌 Performance Issues: Experiencing slow performance, app crashes, or video/audio stuttering.
- ⚠️ Unexpected Shutdowns: The MacBook may shut down randomly to prevent damage from excessive heat.
- 🔋 Battery Draining Fast: Your MacBook battery draining faster than normal due to the heat.
9 Methods to Stop MacBook From Overheating
Why You Can Trust MacBook Journal 
We always conduct first-hand research and verify every method or solution we present, ensuring you receive reliable and effective advice. Learn more about our process.
Below, I’ve shared the methods I personally use to prevent my MacBook from overheating:
1. Identify and Close Resource-Intensive Apps
Closing apps that consume excessive CPU resources can prevent overheating and optimize performance. Here’s how to use Activity Monitor to close programs with high CPU usage:
- Open Activity Monitor from Finder > Applications > Utilities.
- Click the CPU tab to view each app’s percentage of CPU usage.
- Identify any applications using excessive CPU resources, and quit or close them by selecting the program and clicking the small x icon in the top bar.
2. Close Extra Browser Tabs
Closing unused browser tabs reduces CPU workload, which can help prevent your MacBook from overheating. Here’s how to close all unused tabs at once in Safari:
- Select your Safari window with multiple tabs open.