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Resolving Overheating and Fan Noise Issues on Mac

Issue Description 

Mac becomes hot quickly and fans run loudly during normal use. 

Common Causes 

  • High CPU usage 
  • Poor ventilation 
  • Background indexing 

Step-by-Step Solution 

Step 1: Check CPU Usage 

  • Open Activity Monitor → CPU 
  • Identify high-usage apps 

 

Step 2: Improve Airflow 

  • Place Mac on hard surface 
  • Clean vents using compressed air 

 

Step 3: Reduce Background Load 

  • Disable unnecessary login items 
  • Pause Spotlight indexing temporarily 

 

Step 4: Reset Power Management 

  • Intel Macs: Reset SMC 
  • Apple Silicon: Restart fully 

Explore Further 

  • Replace thermal paste (advanced) 

Prevention & Best Practices 

Avoid using Mac on soft surfaces.