Why Is My Mac Fan So Loud? Your Complete Guide

WorldExecutivesDigest.com | Why Is My Mac Fan So Loud? Your Complete Guide | You’re playing a game on your Mac and your fan is going a mile a minute. Check out this guide to learn the answer to “why is my Mac fan so loud”.

If you notice that your MacBook’s internal fan sounds too loud too often, you might have a problem.

The point of the fan is to regulate the internal temperature of your laptop. However, it isn’t supposed to be that noticeable and it isn’t supposed to be running all the time. 

Luckily, there are several easy to understand causes for why you’re computer’s fan is acting up. So continue reading and we’ll give you the answers to the question, “why is my Mac fan so loud?”

Tabs and Apps

Do you constantly have a bunch of browser tabs and applications running while you use your computer? Doing this will increase the odds that your MacBook will have to use its fan in order to keep everything cool. 

You can solve this issue by slowing down on the multitasking. Use fewer apps at one time and also try to keep your browser tabs to a minimum. 

Also, try to not use multiple apps at the same time that take up a lot of power. For example, using iMovie and Adobe After Effects. 

If you want to know which applications are using the most computing power, open the Activity Monitor and select the CPU tab.

If you have Google Chrome installed, there’s a good chance that this is one of the major culprits. Chrome is notorious for heating up MacBooks. And if you’re someone who likes to listen to podcasts or music while they work, try to play tunes from your smartphone instead of using apps on your computer. 

Keep the Vents Clear

Your MacBook Pro has vents on the back edge and on its sides. And if you have a MacBook Air, it has vents along just the back edge. The vents work by sucking in cool air and then releasing hot air. 

It’s possible to block these vents by placing the computer on a couch cushion, bed, pillow, blanket, or even your lap. Doing this will most likely lead to your MacBook quickly heating up. 

It’s best to work on your computer while at a desk or table. If that’s not possible and you want to use it on the couch or bed, try to place your computer on a coffee table book. You can also buy a portable platform to rest your laptop on. 

Also, take a look at your Mac’s vents. If you notice a bunch of dirt collecting inside the vent, try to blow it off by using a can of compressed air. Just be aware that when you do that, there’s also a chance that you could end up blowing the dirt deeper into your computer. 

If that happens, you might have to look under the hood.

Open It Up and Clean It Out

Sometimes, there’s dirt deep in the computer that’s causing the vents to run loudly. In order to solve this issue, you’re going to want to open up the computer and clean it all out. 

To do this, you want to get a small Phillips screwdriver. You can then take off the bottom panel of your computer and clean out any grime, dust, and debris that might have congealed over the years. 

Get your can of compressed air and blow off any dirt. You can also use a lint-free cloth and wipe the dirt away.

Look over at the cooling fan and the vents. Make sure to clean that as well as the entire back edge of the laptop. The aim is to clean all of the passageways so that you can have optimal airflow.  

Test the Computer’s Fans

There is a possibility that your computer’s fan is running too loudly because there’s something up with the actual cooling fan. Thankfully, there’s a hardware diagnostic tool that is baked into your computer.

If your computer was made after June 2013, you will use Apple Diagnostics. If your computer was manufactured before that time, then you’ll be using the Apple Hardware Test.

These tools operate in similar ways. With your computer plugged in and making sure that all external devices are removed, you should restart the computer. While restarting, hold the D key down to start the computer’s diagnostic program.

Onscreen instructions will then appear as the test starts. A typical diagnostic test should only take a minute or two. It will then tell you about any hardware issues. 

If you want a more thorough test, you can click a box that will run an extended test. This can take up to an hour to complete. 

Reset the SMC

Are you keeping your computer free of dirt and dust and you’re tabs and apps to a minimum? Despite that, are you still asking, “how do I turn off the fan noise on my mac?” If so, then you should try to reset the SMC (System Management Controller). 

The SMC is in charge of maintaining low-level functions on your computer. And this includes thermal management. Follow the instructions provided by Apple in order to properly reset the SMC.

Understanding the Answer to “Why Is my Mac fan so loud?”

Hopefully, after reading the above, you now feel that you have the answer to the question, “why is my Mac fan so loud?” As we can see, there are several causes for it and several solutions as well. Make sure to try all of the solutions provided in order to make sure that the fan noise goes away.

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