How to Stop MacBook from Overheating: 9 Easy Ways

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:

1. 🔥 Hot to the Touch: The MacBook becomes unusually hot, especially around the bottom or keyboard area.
2. 🌬️ Fan Noise: Your MacBook fans become loud, running at high speeds as they try to cool down the internal components.
3. 🐌 Performance Issues: Experiencing slow performance, app crashes, or video/audio stuttering.
4. ⚠️ Unexpected Shutdowns: The MacBook may shut down randomly to prevent damage from excessive heat.
5. 🔋 Battery Draining Fast: Your MacBook battery draining faster than normal due to the heat.

9 Methods to Stop MacBook From Overheating

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:

1. Open Activity Monitor from Finder > Applications > Utilities.

2. Click the CPU tab to view each app’s percentage of CPU usage.

3. 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:

1. Select your Safari window with multiple tabs open.

2. Right-click the tab you want to keep and select the option Close Other Tabs from the context menu.

This will close all tabs except the one you selected.

3. Use Safari Instead of Chrome

Safari is optimized for macOS and uses fewer resources than Chrome, reducing the chances of overheating. Here’s how to switch to Safari:

1. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and select System Settings.

2. Click Desktop & Dock in the left sidebar.

3. Scroll down and look for the Default web browser option.

4. Click the pop-up menu next to Default web browser and select Safari from the list of available browsers.

Safari is now set as your default browser on Mac, and any links you click will open in Safari by default.

4. Clean Your MacBook

Regularly cleaning your MacBook’s vents and ports helps prevent dust buildup that can block airflow and cause overheating. Here’s how to clean up your MacBook:

1. Shut down your MacBook and unplug it from the power source.
2. Use a soft brush or a can of compressed air to remove any dust or debris from the vents and ports.
3. Use a lint-free cloth or a microfiber towel to wipe the exterior of your MacBook.
4. Repeat this process at least once every few weeks to prevent dust buildup.

5. Remove Extra Login Items

Removing unnecessary startup programs reduces CPU strain at boot-up, helping to prevent overheating. Here’s how to change start-up programs on your Mac:

1. Click the Apple icon and select System Settings.

2. Select General and click Login Items in the right menu.

3. Here, you’ll see the items that launch when you start up your Mac.
4. Select the login item you want to remove and click the – button at the bottom of the list to remove the login item.

You can also use MacKeeper to manage your login items. Here’s how:

1. Download MacKeeper and install it on your Mac.
2. Open Login Items under Performance in MacKeeper.

3. Click Start Scan.

4. Select unnecessary items from the list and click Remove Selected Items.

5. Tap the Remove button on the pop-up.

6. It will remove your selected items from the system startup list. You can click Rescan to repeat the process.

6. Keep Your MacBook in a Cool Place

Keeping your MacBook in a well-ventilated and cool environment helps prevent overheating caused by external heat sources. Here are some tips to stop MacBook from overheating and keep it cool:

• Keep your MacBook away from direct sunlight.

• Keep your MacBook in a cool, well-ventilated area.
• Avoid using your MacBook on soft surfaces like beds or sofas, as they block airflow.

7. Use Cooling Pads and Laptop Stands

Using a cooling pad or laptop stand helps improve airflow and prevent your MacBook from overheating. Elevating your MacBook allows better ventilation, and choosing a stand with built-in fans can provide extra cooling. Regularly clean your cooling pad or stand to ensure dust doesn’t block airflow.

8. Update Your macOS

Apple regularly updates macOS to optimize performance and efficiency. These updates can include improvements in how the operating system manages resources, leading to less strain on the CPU and, consequently, less heat generation.

Here’s how to update your macOS on Mac:

1. Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.

2. In the System Settings window, click General and select Software Update.

3. Here, you’ll see information about the current macOS version installed on your Mac and any available updates.
4. In the Software Update settings, if an update is available, you’ll see an option to download and install it. Typically, you will find a button labeled Update Now.
5. Click the Update Now button to initiate the download process.

6. Once the download is complete, the macOS installer will automatically launch. 
7. Once the installation is complete, your Mac will restart with the latest macOS version.

9. Adjust Graphics Settings

Lowering your MacBook’s graphics settings can reduce the processing power required, helping to prevent overheating. Here is how to do it:

1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings.

2. Select Displays.

3. Choose a lower resolution to reduce graphics usage.

Your Mac will require less processing power for resolution and not overheat.

Prevent Your Mac From Overheating

MacBook overheating can be frustrating, but with proper care, you can prevent it from happening and keep your device running smoothly. If nothing improves your MacBook’s performance, try these:

• Monitor your Mac’s CPU, GPU & RAM usage to analyze what is consuming your memory and overheating your MacBook.
• You can also reset the SMC on a Mac, as it helps resolve many problems with the MacBook.
• You may have to reinstall macOS on your MacBook if nothing works and it keeps getting overheated.

Frequently Asked Questions