How To Keep Your Macbook From Overheating (Top 10 Tips)

Summary

In this informative video, Tom addresses the common concern of MacBook overheating by offering his top 10 tips to prevent it. He clarifies the difference between actual overheating and feeling hot, explains the heat generation process, and advises against using third-party apps for temperature or fan control. Tom also emphasizes understanding the MacBook's limitations, using hard surfaces, minimizing browser tabs, and cleaning the system and fans. He suggests using original chargers, resetting the SMC, and seeking Apple support if needed. The video concludes with a personal reflection on content creation and audience preferences.

Takeaways

• 🔥 Overheating is when a MacBook gets so hot it might shut down to prevent damage, but most users experience discomfort due to heat and fan noise rather than actual shutdowns.
• 💡 Understanding the heat generation process is key; it comes from the CPU working hard and not being able to dissipate heat quickly enough through the vents.
• 🤔 The desire for thin laptops has led to design compromises, such as less effective cooling systems, which contribute to overheating issues.
• 🚫 Knowing the limitations of your MacBook is crucial; avoid pushing it beyond its capabilities, like running heavy applications with multiple browser tabs open.
• 🛋️ Avoid using your MacBook on soft surfaces, as this can block the vents and prevent proper heat dissipation.
• ❌ Be wary of third-party apps that claim to monitor internal temperatures or control fans, as they may provide inaccurate information or harm your system.
• 🌐 Using Safari over Chrome can help reduce resource usage and heat generation, especially when watching videos.
• 📖 Keep your browser tabs to a minimum to prevent excessive CPU usage and heat buildup.
• 🧹 Regularly cleaning the fans with compressed air can improve airflow and reduce heat.
• 📚 Cleaning up your Mac OS by uninstalling unnecessary apps can free up resources and potentially reduce heat generation.
• 🔌 Always use the original Apple charger to avoid potential damage and excessive heat from third-party chargers.
• 🛠️ Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) can help resolve issues related to fan control and heat management.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video?

The main issue discussed in the video is how to deal with overheating Macbooks.

What is the difference between a Macbook getting too hot and actually overheating?

Overheating is when a Macbook runs so hot that it has to turn itself off to prevent damage, while getting too hot usually involves the device becoming uncomfortably warm, fans getting loud, and CPU performance being affected without shutting down.

What is the primary source of heat in a Macbook?

The primary source of heat in a Macbook is the CPU, which generates heat when it is working hard.

Why do Macbooks have issues with heat dissipation?

Macbooks have issues with heat dissipation due to their thin design, which limits the effectiveness of cooling systems like fans and vents.

What is the first tip given by the video creator to avoid Macbook overheating?

The first tip is to understand the limitations of your Macbook and not to push it beyond its capabilities.

Why should you avoid placing your Macbook on a soft surface?

Placing a Macbook on a soft surface can block the vents, preventing cold air from entering and hot air from escaping, which can lead to overheating.

What is the issue with third-party apps that monitor Macbook temperature?

Third-party apps often provide inaccurate temperature readings, leading users to believe their device is overheating when it is not, and potentially causing unnecessary stress or damage.

Why should users avoid using fan controlling apps on their Macbooks?

Fan controlling apps can interfere with the designed operation of the Macbook's fans, potentially causing them to wear out faster or generate more dust.

What is the impact of using Chrome instead of Safari on Macbook performance and heat generation?

Chrome consumes more resources and battery life compared to Safari, which can lead to increased heat generation and slower performance.

Why is it recommended to clean the fans of a Macbook Pro 16 inch?

Cleaning the fans with compressed air can remove dust buildup, improving airflow and reducing heat generation.

What is the purpose of using a cooling pad or a stack of books under a Macbook?

Using a cooling pad or a stack of books helps to ensure that the vents are free and open, allowing for better heat dissipation.

Why is it suggested to clean the Mac OS system from unnecessary apps and files?

Cleaning the system from unnecessary apps and files can free up resources and reduce background processes, which can help in preventing overheating.

What is the significance of using the original Apple charger for a Macbook?

Using the original Apple charger ensures compatibility and quality, avoiding potential damage to the Macbook and excessive heat generation that can occur with third-party chargers.

What is the SMC and why is resetting it recommended for Macbooks?

The SMC (System Management Controller) is a chip that handles functions like fan control. Resetting it can resolve issues with fan operation and heat management.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Dealing with Overheating Macbooks

The video addresses the common issue of Macbooks overheating, as requested by the audience. The host, Tom, clarifies the difference between actual overheating and feeling hot due to high CPU usage. He emphasizes that most users experience the latter, which can be managed by optimizing the computer's performance. Tom introduces his top 10 tips to prevent Macbook overheating, starting with understanding the device's limitations and managing expectations based on its capabilities.

05:03

🛠️ Preventive Measures for Macbook Overheating

Tom provides practical advice on how to avoid Macbook overheating, including not using the device on soft surfaces which can block vents, being cautious with third-party apps that may inaccurately report temperatures or improperly control fans, and the impact of using Chrome versus Safari. He also touches on the importance of minimizing open tabs to reduce CPU load and suggests cleaning the internal fans with compressed air for those comfortable with opening their devices.

10:03

🧹 Maintaining Your Macbook for Optimal Performance

Continuing with his tips, Tom recommends cleaning the Mac OS system by uninstalling unnecessary apps and reinstalling MacOS every few months to clear out junk files. He also advises against using third-party chargers due to potential damage and heat generation risks. Tom introduces the concept of resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) as a troubleshooting step for heat issues, providing a brief guide on how to perform the reset.

🤝 Seeking Help and Reflecting on Content Creation

In the final part of the script, Tom suggests visiting an Apple store for professional assistance if the overheating issue persists after trying his tips. He concludes the video with a personal note, reflecting on the performance of his previous video about the iPhone 2G and understanding viewer preferences. He also shares his enthusiasm for upcoming video ideas and a light-hearted commentary on the weather in Sweden, maintaining a personal connection with his audience.

Keywords

💡Overheating

Overheating, in the context of the video, refers to a situation where a MacBook becomes excessively hot, potentially to the point of needing to shut down to prevent damage. The video aims to address this issue by providing tips on how to prevent a MacBook from becoming too hot. The script mentions that many users are actually experiencing high temperatures and loud fans, rather than true overheating where the device shuts down.

💡MacBook

MacBook is a line of laptop computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc. In the video, the term is used to refer to the specific devices that are prone to overheating. The script discusses various tips and strategies to manage the temperature of these devices, indicating the central role of MacBooks in the video's theme.

💡CPU

CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the primary component of a computer that performs most of the processing inside the system. The script explains that the heat generated by a MacBook comes from the CPU working hard. Understanding the role of the CPU in generating heat is crucial for managing a MacBook's temperature.

💡Fans

Fans in a MacBook are responsible for cooling the device by pulling in cold air and pushing out hot air. The script discusses the importance of not blocking these vents and the potential issues that can arise if the fans are not functioning effectively, which can lead to overheating.

💡Soft Surface

A soft surface, as mentioned in the script, can block the vents of a MacBook, preventing proper airflow and cooling. The video advises against using a MacBook on a soft surface like a lap or a couch, as this can contribute to overheating by trapping heat inside the device.

💡Third-Party Apps

Third-party apps are software applications developed by entities other than the original equipment manufacturer. The script warns against using third-party apps for monitoring temperatures or controlling fans, as they may provide inaccurate information or interfere with the MacBook's designed cooling system.

💡Chrome

Chrome, referring to the Google Chrome web browser, is mentioned in the script as a resource-intensive application that can contribute to a MacBook's overheating. The video suggests using Safari instead of Chrome to conserve resources and reduce the likelihood of overheating.

💡Tabs

Tabs in a web browser refer to individual pages or documents that can be opened within a single window. The script advises against having too many tabs open simultaneously, as this can strain the MacBook's resources and lead to increased heat generation.

💡Compressed Air

Compressed air is used in the script to describe a method for cleaning the fans inside a MacBook. By using compressed air, dust and debris can be removed from the fans, which can help improve cooling efficiency and reduce the risk of overheating.

💡Cooling Pads

Cooling pads are external devices designed to help cool down laptops. The script acknowledges that cooling pads can be effective in managing a MacBook's temperature, but also notes that simple solutions like a stack of books can be just as effective without the need for complex or expensive equipment.

💡SMC Reset

SMC Reset refers to the process of resetting the System Management Controller, a chip in a MacBook that manages various hardware functions, including fans. The script suggests that resetting the SMC can help resolve issues related to overheating by recalibrating the system's thermal management.

💡Original Charger

The original charger, as mentioned in the script, is the Apple-branded power adapter designed for MacBooks. The video advises against using third-party chargers due to potential quality issues that could lead to excessive heat generation and damage to the MacBook.

Highlights

Tom introduces the video's focus on providing top 10 tips to avoid MacBook overheating.

Clarification that most users are experiencing high temperatures rather than actual overheating.

Explanation of how heat is generated by the CPU and the cooling process involving vents and fans.

Preference for thicker MacBooks with better cooling systems over the thin design preferred by most users.

Tip 1: Understanding the limitations of your MacBook to prevent pushing it beyond its capacity.

Tip 2: Avoid using MacBook on soft surfaces that may block cooling vents.

Tip 3: Warning against trusting third-party apps for temperature readings and fan control.

Tip 4: The resource-intensive nature of Chrome compared to Safari and its impact on MacBook temperature.

Tip 5: Reducing the number of open tabs to decrease CPU workload and heat generation.

Tip 6: Cleaning MacBook fans with compressed air to improve cooling efficiency.

Tip 7: The effectiveness of cooling pads in managing MacBook temperature.

Tip 8: Cleaning the macOS system from unnecessary apps and files to optimize performance.

Tip 9: The importance of using the original Apple charger to prevent damage and overheating.

Tip 10: Resetting the SMC to resolve issues related to fan control and temperature management.

Advice to visit the Apple store for professional assistance if overheating persists after trying the tips.

Personal reflection on the impact of video performance and audience interest in technology topics.

Behind-the-scenes discussion about the challenges of content creation and adapting to audience preferences.

Transcripts

Recently I asked my subscribers what kind of a video they want me to make.

And the most requested video they wanted me to make was how to deal with

overheating Macbooks and so judging by that.

And also the many comments where people complain a lot about overheating today.

I'm giving you my top 10 tips on how to avoid getting your

Macbook from overheating.

Hope you enjoy.

What is up. My name is Tom. If this is your first time to this channel,

please don't forget to do a #newsub so I can properly welcome you.

It will really help me out if you can just hit that little like button,

like it helps with the YouTube algorithm and everything. Okay, well,

let's just jump right into this whole topic of overheating Macbooks.

Now there's a couple of things we need to clarify before I go into these tips.

And that is something that you have to understand about Macbooks, depth.

Generally speaking,

what you guys are mostly describing is actually not overheating.

You see overheating is when a Macbook is running so hot that it has to

turn itself off in order to not overheat.

And I'm guessing that most of you are not having that issue.

Most of you are having the problem that your Macbooks are just getting too hot

and the fans are getting too loud and your CPU is, are probably down,

clocking on. You're not getting the speed that you want.

And so this video is about how to optimize your computer.

So it doesn't get too hot, so to speak. Okay, first of all,

I need to explain to you guys what this heat is.

So as you can probably imagine it comes from your CPU is

running extremely fast, like working really hard to serve you.

And at this time, while this heat is being generated,

it's not being exported from these vents out here quickly

enough. So there is kind of a process to this whole thing.

You have cooled air, that's flowing inside through these vents,

and then it goes out here and there are these fans on the inside that

basically pull in cold air and push out the hot air. And it's a process.

And sometimes there are these circumstances where it doesn't work effectively

enough and your computer gets really, really hot. Now,

personally, I would prefer it.

If Apple could make Macbooks a bit thicker and making better

fans and even bigger cooling events,

but we don't have that because the majority of the people they want really thin

laptops. And so that's why we have this little issue.

Do I personally have any problems with this? No, I actually don't,

but I'm going to get into that once I start mentioning my top 10 ways of

keeping your MacBook from overheating.

"overheating". Yeah. You get it.

Okay. My first tip is to understand the limitations of your Macbook.

Now I've been playing around with Macbooks and computers all my life.

And I know from experience,

like I started out with computers that had something like four megabytes of

memory to 110 megabytes of storage space, megabytes,

not gigabytes people today. They don't,

they don't have that experience of having to, you know,

work with what you have in order to get the most out of it.

The thing is the same rules apply.

Like you can't push your computer over the limits.

You have to know your limitations. Some people get like confused.

Like they go like, why is my Macbook slow?

I only have my YouTube running 8K videos.

And I have like 24 tabs open and find a cut pro is exporting a file

in the background. Like, why is my computer getting so hot? Well,

most likely is because you're pushing your computer over the limits now.

Yes, it is an expensive computer. And you're thinking to yourself,

it should be able to do anything I throw at it. And for some of you,

you may even have the Macbook pro 16 inch and this little baby,

you cannot really push the limits pretty hard on this thing,

but it's still the same rules that are being applied here.

You have to consider the limitations of your computer.

So if you're editing 4k videos, Turn off Chrome.

If you're browsing the web,

do you really need to have like 24 tabs open? Think about it. Okay.

Now my second tip is a big one.

I know that people use their Mac books in very different circumstances.

They sit on the couch, they have it on the laps. I mean, it's a laptop.

Sometimes they can sit or lie in bed having the Macbook there,

but here's the tip. Don't put your Macbook on a soft surface.

And the reason is there is a huge chance that you will block the vents here

and then you won't get any cold air in and you won't get the hot air out

from the vents also.

And you'll keep that heat basically just oozing inside of your computer.

So my first tip is consider what surface you put your Macbook

on. Don't put it preferably, put it on something hard and then not soft.

If you want to put it on your laps,

have something between your laps and your computer,

some kind of a plate or something, a book maybe.

Now my third tip is to not trust third party apps.

And I'm talking about two types of apps,

apps that can tell you what the temperature is inside the computer.

Because most of the time, these apps,

they are not giving you the right information. Most of the time,

they will give you the wrong numbers,

thinking that you need to do something and then you'll buy the pro version of

the app. They'll say something like, Oh,

your computer is at 200 degrees Fahrenheit or something like that.

Most of the time, just,

just flat out don't trust third party apps when it comes to temperatures.

And the second type of apps that I want you to stay clear of is fan controlling

apps.

And the reason why you should probably avoid fan controlling apps is

because these fans are designed to work in a certain way with this

Macbook. Okay?

And if you start to fiddle around making the fans work harder,

you might exhaust them and you might generate more, more dust than necessary.

So I would basically steer clear of any fan controlling

apps. I know some people like to use them.

They like to be in charge of everything. And if you know what you're doing,

go ahead. But for me personally,

I trust the mat system to run my fans as they see fit.

Okay. Four. And this is a very difficult to avoid using Chrome as much.

This is difficult for me because I like to use Chrome a lot,

especially when I'm on YouTube.

And I want to watch 4K videos because when you watch YouTube videos in Safari,

you can't watch in 4K. And it really bugs me,

especially when I know I have a computer that can handle 4K it's a long and

boring story. Why Safari doesn't support 4K videos.

It has something to do with codex support and Safari just flat out will

not work with certain codex because Apple will not work with certain

companies. Let's just leave it at that.

So I usually try to use Safari or everything.

And when I want to watch 4K videos, then I go to Chrome.

But the thing about Chrome is that it takes a lot of resources compared

to Safari. And I'm not just talking about your CPU and GPU.

I'm also talking about battery life. So if you want to preserve battery life,

use Safari, as much as you can. Number five, I've sort of mentioned it before,

but the number of tabs that you have open is usually

overkill and it makes your computer work extra hard, will no apparent reason.

I get it. Trust me.

I've had my days when I like having like 24 tabs open in Safari or Chrome,

but the problem is the more tabs you have open the hardier computer has to work

because each of those tabs is actually working in the background. Oh,

and here's a little tip.

You can actually go into your Chrome settings and you can actually see how much

resources each tab is actually running.

And then you'll know why you shouldn't have too many tabs open at the same time.

Okay? Number six is basically cleaning your fans.

So if you have the Macbook pro 16 inch,

you have two fans on the inside and you can actually use compressed air

to give those fans a little cleaning. Now I have to say,

this is not for everyone.

Don't open up your computer unless you feel comfortable cleaning your phone.

For me personally, I'm not very worried, opening up my Macbook. You know,

you just need a Phillips screw diver and you can unscrew this bottom plate and

you can buy compressed air and basically just spray out the old dust that

stuck your fans. And you will definitely notice an improvement in that area.

Now, a lot of people have been asking me about cooling pads.

Do they actually work? And the answer is, yeah, they actually do,

but you don't need to go all fancy.

You don't need to buy something with like a spinning fan or anything like that.

Just to leave something beneath that sat that can make sure that your events are

free and open. So for instance, a stack of book is actually very useful.

Number eight,

cleaning your Mac OS system from the mall where basically apps that you

don't really want to use anymore,

or apps that have found a way to take in the background.

They draw extra resources and there are many apps that you can use to clean it

out. But for me personally,

I think it's so simple to reinstall the entire system or MacOS as said,

I actually prefer to every three or four months just clean the system just

re-install every app. It just feels better.

This will clean out your hard drive space from unnecessary files that you have,

you know, you can do anywhere where you want to. Me personally, I like to,

we install everything,

but there is software that you could use to just clean your Macbooks altogether.

Okay. Number nine, use the original charger.

Now I know that the original charger is disgustingly expensive.

I don't know what it costs in your country, but here in Sweden,

it costs like a hundred bucks or so. It's crazy.

A charger should not cost that much,

but unfortunately the original Apple charger is the best.

And I would stay clear of every third party manufacturer

because you just don't know the quality of those chargers and this

charger can actually damage your MacBook and it can cause it to generate

excessive heat. So don't use third party chargers, number 10.

This is a very cool tip that works for a lot of people.

You can basically reset your SMC.

M S M C S M C.

And it's short for system management controller.

And this is actually a chip in your computer that handles everything like

physical, the fans and everything. As sometimes it needs a reset.

Something is off. And once you reset your SMC things,

go back to normal SMC AC DC. No, no, nevermind.

It's very easy. It takes about a minute.

Just shut down your Macbook and plug into power adapter,

which puts your Macbook and charge mode.

Then whole shift control option on your keyboard and press the power button at

the same time. After a few seconds, release the keys and turn on your Mac.

If you want a video tutorial,

I put a link individually description so you can see how it's being done. Okay.

Now, if you've tried all of these 10 steps and you understand my explanation,

why your MacBook is getting hard and you still feel that your computer

is getting just too hot,

then I seriously just suggest that you go to the Apple store,

talk to one of their geniuses and let them take a look. I'm sure they help you.

Okay. That's all I had for today. Hope you enjoyed this video and if you did,

it would, again, it really, really helped me out.

If you can just hit that like button,

it would really help with the YouTube algorithm and everything. Okay. Anyway,

thanks for watching blood. You see in the next one, take care. Peace.

Oh, you're still here. Oh, that's right.

It's the behind the scenes for those of you, when you to this channel,

I do a little kind of scenes vlog after each video.

It's a kind of a way where I can be more personal and talk about stuff that

mattered to me that sounded so condescending. Anyway,

last week I released a video.

It was about my iPhone two G and how it changed basically revolutionized the

smartphone industry and even the world,

the way people communicate and everything. And I, you know,

put in my heart and soul into it and it just did not perform as well.

And I wrote a post in my community tab and people have been very supportive,

not just saying nice things like that. The video was great,

which obviously it was,

but also that people explained to me why they did get a

notification,

but they didn't actually click on it because they were simply not interested in

old retro technology. And I understand that, you know,

sometimes when you love something,

you think that everybody has to love it too.

But most of the time people are just different people,

just like different things.

People are more interested in the iPhone 12 than the iPhone two

G.

So I'm sure that if I did like a video about the latest rumors about the iPhone,

12 people would definitely be more interested. So it's a,

it's a lesson learned for me. And, um, and I don't want to, you know,

plug the video or anything, but it really was good. I mean,

I did put in my heart and soul and I made really fantastic B roll.

So if you haven't seen it consider watching it because I'm actually pretty proud

of it. I think it's one of my best videos, uh, so far. Uh, what else? Well,

basically Sweden is a pretty rainy place at the moment. I mean,

it's just raining and raining and raining. It's just annoying.

I kinda like rain, uh, but not when I have to get to work. You know what I mean?

It's good because if it doesn't rain,

then there are these laws that say that you can't have an open barbecue outside,

you know, because it's too dry outside. So maybe I can, you know,

cook outside some, put some shrimps on the Barbie. Is that the expression?

No. No. Okay. Nevermind. Anyway, channel is going so and so I think, uh,

we really took a real big hit with the iPhone two G video, but, uh,

I have some cool ideas about upcoming videos,

about the Mac book pro and some other iPhone stuff that I think will work with

the YouTube algorithm. I'm pretty excited.

I think we've got a good thing going here and we just need to ride this bull and

see how far it can take us, which sounded dirty, but it's not how I meant it.

Anyway. Thank you again for watching and hopefully I'll see you in the next one.

Take care.

[Inaudible].