What to do when your Apple Mac is overheating and how to avoid it.

Macs have very sophisticated cooling systems preventing them to overheat however as Mac owners we have all experienced overheating at some stage or another. It could be only symptoms of something going wrong but in rare cases causing physical damage to your Mac.

Not only software but also hardware issues can cause your Mac to overheat and especially when you overburden the processor with memory-intensive tasks.

Some of the most common reasons why your Mac may be getting hot or overheating:

1.  Many processes and applications running at the same time can cause overheating as it struggles to keep up.

2. Too many browser tabs are open that can be a drain on your Mac and overload the system.

3. Unresponsive applications when apps stop working correctly.

4. Blocked air vents preventing circulation of fresh air.

5. Outdated software that could contain bugs that can cause overheating.

6. Defective internal fans can cause the cooling system to fail.

Here are a few ideas on what to do when your Mac is overheating and the action will depend on what the cause could be.

1. Check the CPU (central processing unit)

When the CPU is overloaded for a long period of time it could result in your Mac heating up and it should be the first step to finding the cause.

2. Adjust your graphics settings.

The more powerful the graphics card that is used for gaming the more energy it uses and that may add to the overheating of your Mac.

3. Avoid high temperatures.

Macs are designed to comply with various temperature limits but placing them under direct sunlight can be dangerous and shorten the life of your Mac.

4. Close browser tabs not in use.

If you are keeping unused tabs open it can overwork your Mac especially if you are running software as well.

5. Use official Apple Mac chargers only.

Avoid using fake or damaged chargers as it will make your Mac run hot and could even damage it as well as be a safety hazard.

6. Keep your Mac updated.

Each new macOS version fixes software glitches and makes your Mac run faster and use less energy.

7. Ensure that the fan is in good working order.

Excessive fan noise may be an indication that there is something wrong with the fan. Cooling fans are necessary to keep temperatures in check.

8. Keep the air vents open.

Your Mac needs ventilation to prevent overheating and air vents should always be left clear. Always keep your Mac on a hard and flat surface avoiding putting it on your lap or a bed.

Finally, at ZA Support Apple Experts we advise Mac users to service their Macs every six months or at least once a year to prevent their Macs from overheating and causing extensive damage.