Why Is My MacBook Fan So Loud: 8 Best Fixes

Ever been in a quiet room when your MacBook’s fan suddenly roars to life? It’s distracting, but fixable. In this post, I’ll explain why your MacBook fan gets loud and share simple tips to fix it.

How to Fix a Loud MacBook Fan

Wondering, “Why is my MacBook fan so loud?” A noisy fan might mean your Mac is struggling to cool down. Below, I’ve shared different methods to fix a loud Mac fan:

1. Improve Air Circulation

Using your Mac in bed is tempting, but soft surfaces like duvets can block air vents, making the fan run faster. The easiest fix is to place your Mac on a flat surface to improve airflow.

If it overheats, let it cool down briefly. For a long-term solution, use a laptop stand, which enhances airflow and improves your viewing angles and posture.

2. Close High CPU Usage Apps in Activity Monitor

Processes using too much CPU can make your Mac’s fan work harder, causing loud noise. But you can use Activity Monitor to check CPU usage. Then, find and close any processes causing the fan to work harder.

Here’s how to check for high CPU usage on Mac using Activity Monitor:

1. Open Activity Monitor from the Utilities folder or use Spotlight to search for Activity Monitor and open the app.

2. Click the CPU tab in Activity Monitor to see processes sorted by highest CPU usage.

3. Look for processes using a high % of CPU, listed under the Process Name and % CPU columns.

4. If a process is using too much CPU, select it and click the X button in the top bar to close it.

5. Then, click the Quit button on the pop-up menu.

3. Remove Dust From Your Mac

Dust can block airflow in your Mac, forcing the fan to work harder to keep it cool. Regularly cleaning your Mac’s fan and internal components improves airflow, reduces fan strain, and prevents overheating and noise.

What You’ll Need:

• Microfiber cloth
• Compressed air canister
• Soft brush (optional)
• A clean, dry workspace

Follow these steps to remove dust from your Mac:

1. Shut down your Mac and disconnect it from all power sources.
2. Gently wipe your Mac’s exterior with a microfiber cloth to remove dust and fingerprints.
3. Hold your Mac at an angle and use compressed air to blow dust from the vents, keyboard, and openings.

4. Use a damp microfiber cloth to clean the screen.
5. If dust is between the keys, use compressed air or a soft brush to gently remove it.
6. Use compressed air to clear out dust from the USB, Thunderbolt, and other ports.
7. After cleaning, give your Mac a final wipe with the microfiber cloth to make it spotless.

4. Check and Maintain Your Mac’s Temperature

To reduce fan strain and noise, monitor your Mac’s temperature, especially during heavy use. For Intel Macs, you can use Terminal commands. But for M1 Macs, you’ll need a third-party app, like the Hot app by iMazing.

Here’s how to check your Mac’s temperature using Hot:

1. Go to the iMazing website.
2. Click the Download for Mac button to download the Hot app.

3. Open your Downloads folder, find the Hot app icon, and double-click it to launch the app.

4. Once the app launches, you’ll see the Hot icon, resembling a flame, in the menu bar. The average CPU temperature will be displayed next to it.

5. Scan for Malware Using MacKeeper

Malware can overwork your MacBook’s fan by using system resources. Scanning with an antivirus like MacKeeper can help fix this. Here’s how to run a virus scan on your Mac using MacKeeper:

1. Download and install MacKeeper.

2. Launch MacKeeper and click Antivirus in the left sidebar.

3. Click Start Scan.

4. If the scan finds any viruses, click the Fix Items button.
5. If there are no issues in your system, click Restart to run the scan again or close the program.

6. You can also choose the features you want, like real-time antivirus protection.
7. After setup, MacKeeper will protect your Mac in the background, scanning for threats and blocking malicious activity.

6. Test Your Cooling Fans 

Prolonged heat exposure can damage your Mac’s cooling system, leading to fan issues and unexpected shutdowns. To check for overheating and fan damage, try running Apple Diagnostics on your Mac.

To start, disconnect all peripherals except the keyboard, mouse, Ethernet, display, and power cable, then power off your Mac. Next, follow the steps for your specific Mac model:

On Apple Silicon Mac

1. Turn on your Mac and hold the Power button until the Startup Options window appears.

2. Press the Command ⌘ + D keys.

3. Apple Diagnostics will run and display a list of problems detected once finished.

On Intel-Based Mac

1. Press the Power button, then immediately press and hold the D key until a list of languages appears.

2. Select a language, and Apple Diagnostics will start automatically.

3. Once the process completes, you’ll see a report listing any issues detected.
4. If an error code appears, note it and contact Apple Support or an authorized service provider for help.

7. Reset the SMC

The SMC on your MacBook controls power, battery, thermal management, and the fan. If there’s a fan issue, resetting the SMC might help. Here’s how to reset the SMC on your Mac:

With a Non-removable Battery:

1. Unplug the power cord, click the Apple menu and select Shut Down.

2. After the Mac shuts down, press Shift ⇧ + Control ^ + Option ⌥ on the keyboard’s left side.
3. Hold these keys and press the Power button for 10 seconds.

4. Release all keys, then press the Power button to turn it on again.

With a Removable Battery:

1. Shut down your Mac and take out the battery.
2. Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds.
3. Reinsert the battery and turn on your Mac again.

With an Apple T2 Security Chip (2018 and later Macs):

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Hold down Control ^ + Option ⌥ + Shift ⇧ for 7 seconds.
3. While holding these keys, press the Power button and continue holding all four for another 7 seconds. Your Mac may turn on and off during this time.
4. Release the keys, wait a few seconds, then turn on your Mac.

With an Apple Silicon:

Go to the Apple menu and select Restart. This will reset the SMC and restore your MacBook’s fan settings to default, potentially fixing fan issues and improving performance.

8. Replace MacBook Fans

If software solutions haven’t fixed your Mac’s loud fan, it could be a hardware issue. Visit an authorized Apple service provider or Apple Store for a diagnostic test.

If a hardware problem is found, the Apple Store technician will recommend repairs or replacement of the faulty part. Repair costs will vary based on the issue’s severity and your MacBook’s warranty status.

Why Is My MacBook Fan So Loud?

Knowing why your MacBook’s fan is loud can help you prevent or fix the issue, avoiding potential hardware damage. Here are some common causes:

• 🌡️ Overheating: High temperatures from heavy use or poor ventilation make the fan work harder.
• 🧹 Dust Accumulation: Dust inside your Mac blocks airflow, forcing the fan to overwork.
• 🦠 Malware: Malware uses system resources, causing the fan to run more.
• 🌀 Faulty Fan: A defective fan might be the culprit; consider a repair if needed.

Get Rid of A Noisy MacBook Fan

A loud MacBook fan can be frustrating, but you can diagnose and fix it with the solutions I shared above. Here are some more tips for the future:

• Stop your Mac from overheating to prevent hardware issues, including a loud fan.
• Uninstall unused apps on your Mac and reduce the load on its system resources.
• If you frequently run memory-intensive programs, you may need to upgrade your Mac RAM.

Frequently Asked Questions