{"id":3894,"date":"2022-03-05T06:16:52","date_gmt":"2022-03-05T06:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gizmogrind.com\/blog\/?p=3894"},"modified":"2022-03-11T13:19:59","modified_gmt":"2022-03-11T13:19:59","slug":"how-to-keep-your-macbook-pro-cool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/how-to-keep-your-macbook-pro-cool\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Keep Your MacBook Pro Cool\u20146 Most Effective Ways"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you own a MacBook Pro, you know how important it is to keep it cool. Overheating not only makes it uncomfortable to use but also damages your computer. You wouldn&#8217;t want its performance to deteriorate and eventually shorten your trustee&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gizmogrind.com\/blog\/how-long-does-a-macbook-pro-last\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MacBook Pro&#8217;s lifespan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, from our database to yours, here are some of the most effective ways you can keep your MacBook Pro cool and solve overheating problems. But before you learn how to keep your MacBook Pro cool it&#8217;s important to know why your Mac is heating up in the first place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e801848b82d\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e801848b82d\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/how-to-keep-your-macbook-pro-cool\/#How_to_Keep_Your_MacBook_Pro_Cool_Why_Your_Macbook_Pro_Gets_Hot\" >How to Keep Your MacBook Pro Cool: Why Your Macbook Pro Gets Hot<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/how-to-keep-your-macbook-pro-cool\/#1Avoid_Using_in_Hot_Environments_and_On_Uneven_Surfaces\" >1.Avoid Using in Hot Environments and On Uneven Surfaces<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/how-to-keep-your-macbook-pro-cool\/#2_Close_CPU-intensive_Tasks_and_Unused_Tabs\" >2. Close CPU-intensive Tasks and Unused Tabs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/how-to-keep-your-macbook-pro-cool\/#3_Reset_SMC\" >3. Reset SMC<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/how-to-keep-your-macbook-pro-cool\/#4_Optimize_Built-in_Cooling_Fans\" >4. Optimize Built-in Cooling Fans<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/how-to-keep-your-macbook-pro-cool\/#5_Invest_in_a_Laptop_Cooling_Pad_and_Other_Accessories\" >5. Invest in a Laptop Cooling Pad and Other Accessories<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/how-to-keep-your-macbook-pro-cool\/#6_Replace_MacBook_Pro_Thermal_Paste\" >6. Replace MacBook Pro Thermal Paste<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Keep_Your_MacBook_Pro_Cool_Why_Your_Macbook_Pro_Gets_Hot\"><\/span>How to Keep Your MacBook Pro Cool: <strong>Why Your Macbook Pro Gets Hot<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s normal for a MacBook Pro to be slightly warm when used. But if it&#8217;s getting hot to the touch, then it may be reaching its maximum heat threshold, which is around 192\u00b0F (89\u00b0C).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many factors could contribute to this, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; The area you&#8217;re using it on<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; The apps you&#8217;re using and how much processing power they require<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; How long the MacBook Pro has been on for<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; Whether or not you have an external display connected<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Checking this list alone already gives you a good sense of what to address; keep reading for the most effective ways how to keep your MacBook Pro cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1Avoid_Using_in_Hot_Environments_and_On_Uneven_Surfaces\"><\/span>1.<strong>Avoid Using in Hot Environments and On Uneven Surfaces<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\"><figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/macbook-pro-in-cool-environment.png\" alt=\"how-to-keep-your-macbook-pro-cool\" class=\"wp-image-3898\" width=\"376\" height=\"251\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The best way how to keep your MacBook Pro cool is by using it in a cool environment and on a flat surface. That said, if you constantly use your Macbook Pro in a cramped and humid room, you might want to find a better workspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ideally, you&#8217;d want to use your MacBook Pro in an air-conditioned room or at least in a well-ventilated area with cool air. If you&#8217;re using it outdoors, try to find some shade. Using it under direct sunlight can also cause some damage to your mac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, avoid placing your MacBook Pro on soft and uneven surfaces like the top of your bed and (sadly) even your lap. If you must, try putting it on a laptop stand or even, hard surfaces like books or a solid table underneath to dissipate heat. And of course, always make sure nothing is blocking its air vents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Close_CPU-intensive_Tasks_and_Unused_Tabs\"><\/span><strong>2. Close CPU-intensive Tasks and Unused Tabs<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you have a lot of applications and tabs open, your MacBook Pro has to work harder, which causes the fans to spin faster and the CPU temperature to rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To see which apps are taking up the most processing power, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Open&nbsp;<strong>Activity Monitor<\/strong>&nbsp;from Launchpad<\/li><li>Click on the&nbsp;<strong>CPU tab&nbsp;<\/strong>at the top- this will show you a list of all the apps and processes running and how much CPU they&#8217;re using<\/li><li>Close unnecessary programs with high CPU usage by clicking on the X in the top-left corner<\/li><li>You can also click on the&nbsp;<strong>Quit&nbsp;<\/strong>button at the bottom to force quit an app<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/macbook-pro-activity-monitor.png\" alt=\"how-to-keep-your-macbook-pro-cool-activity-monitor\" class=\"wp-image-3899\" width=\"587\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/macbook-pro-activity-monitor.png 932w, https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/macbook-pro-activity-monitor-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/macbook-pro-activity-monitor-930x620.png 930w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 587px) 100vw, 587px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Just be sure you don&#8217;t force quit an important process like Finder, or you risk shutting down your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s also worth reviewing your opened tabs (especially if you&#8217;re on Chrome) and seeing if you can exit some of them to save up on resources. This also helps keep your mac running smooth!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Reset_SMC\"><\/span><strong>3. Reset SMC<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, your MacBook Pro&#8217;s temperature can go up because of a software issue. With that, the simplest and quickest way how to keep your MacBook Pro cool is by resetting the System Management Controller (SMC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\"><figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/macbook-pro-smc-reset.png\" alt=\"macbook-pro-smc-reset\" class=\"wp-image-3900\" width=\"309\" height=\"247\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>To do this, follow the steps below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Unplug from power sources and <strong>Shut down<\/strong> your MacBook Pro<\/li><li>Hold <strong>Shift+Control+Option <\/strong>down, then press<strong> the Power button<\/strong> <\/li><li>Keep pressing all four buttons for ten seconds<\/li><li>Turn on your Mac. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Your SMC is now reset. How&#8217;s that for an instant quick fix? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If this doesn&#8217;t work, you might want to try a PRAM reset which we&#8217;ve covered in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gizmogrind.com\/blog\/mac-maintenance-2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">updated Mac maintenance guide<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if you&#8217;re still having problems after trying these two methods, then it&#8217;s best to take your MacBook Pro to an Apple Store or an authorized service provider. There might be a hardware issue that needs to be addressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Optimize_Built-in_Cooling_Fans\"><\/span>4. <strong>Optimize Built-in Cooling Fans<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dirty or broken cooling fans can also cause your Mac to overheat. Check if the fan is dirty by taking off the back panel of your MacBook Pro. Wipe off visible dust and debris it with a clean cloth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also check the status of your MacBook&#8217;s fans by running a diagnostic test on them. Follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Turn off your computer.<\/li><li>Hold the&nbsp;<strong>D key<\/strong>&nbsp;down while turning the power back on<\/li><li>This will run a diagnostic test on startup and tell you if your cooling fan is broken.<\/li><li>If it is, you will need to get it repaired or replaced.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p> There&#8217;s also the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/crystalidea.com\/macs-fan-control\/download\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Macs Fan Control App (MFC)<\/a>, a free app that lets you monitor and control all the fans on your Mac. You can set each fan&#8217;s minimum and maximum speed and even target your desired CPU temperature. (Again, acceptable operating temperatures for macs is between 50\u00b0 and 95\u00b0 F (10\u00b0 and 35\u00b0 C).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"nv-iframe-embed\"><iframe title=\"How To Control Your MAC&#039;S Fan Speed (2020)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wPB5gcXMlps?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once installed, launch the app, and you should see all the sensors and fans on your MacBook Pro. From there, you can set up a custom configuration.  But do keep in mind running fans at max speed for extended periods could damage your Mac. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Invest_in_a_Laptop_Cooling_Pad_and_Other_Accessories\"><\/span><strong>5. Invest in a Laptop Cooling Pad and Other Accessories<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s been quite a debate about whether a cooling pad is even worth it. So, here&#8217;s our recommendation: if you frequently use your MacBook Pro for CPU and GPU-intensive tasks, investing in a cooling pad can improve reliability and longevity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\"><figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/laptop-cooling-pad.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-keep-your-macbook-pro-cool-cooling-pad\" class=\"wp-image-3901\" width=\"355\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/laptop-cooling-pad.jpg 830w, https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/laptop-cooling-pad-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px\" \/><figcaption><em>Pro tip: check out laptop stands with built-in fans<\/em> for a 2-in-1 solution<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Laptop cooling pads equip your Mac with extra fans that help dissipate heat away from your MacBook Pro. A cooling pad with 2-3 fans is usually enough as too much airflow could blow dust and dirt into the computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those working on projects that require high-end graphics or videos, try using an external monitor instead of relying solely on your MacBook Pro. This will take some of the load off your computer and help keep it cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting an external keyboard and mouse will also help keep your hands and lap cooler since you won&#8217;t have to touch a hot MacBook Pro itself as much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also get a laptop stand to elevate your computer and allow for better airflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Replace_MacBook_Pro_Thermal_Paste\"><\/span>6. <strong>Replace MacBook Pro Thermal Paste<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;ve tried all of the above and your MacBook Pro is still overheating, then the thermal paste might need to be replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The thermal paste is a substance that helps conduct excess heat away from the CPU and GPU. Over time, it can dry up or become less effective, causing your MacBook Pro to overheat. Replacing their mac&#8217;s thermal paste has done wonders for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tg6jEJPlHiU&amp;t=94s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">many users<\/a> in terms of temperature and performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"nv-iframe-embed\"><iframe title=\"Solved overheating problem on my MacBook Pro 15&quot; Mid 2015 by replacing the thermal paste\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bUnm-korNUE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Though this is proven to bring many gains, we strongly advise you to only do this on your own if you&#8217;re comfortable opening up a MacBook and working on its components. If not, consider taking your MacBook Pro to the Apple store or any authorized service provider so your thermal paste will be replaced properly.&nbsp;  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We hope this blog post helped cool down your MacBook Pro! Do you have any other tips on how to keep your Macbook Pro cool? Share them with us in the comments below!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is your MacBook Pro overheating? Here are the top 6 ways how to keep your MacBook Pro cool so you can protect it from further damage<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1958229,"featured_media":3905,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","neve_meta_reading_time":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[404],"tags":[395,394,412,413],"class_list":["post-3894","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-macbook-how-to-guides","tag-apple","tag-macbook-pro","tag-macs","tag-overheating"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3894","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1958229"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3894"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3894\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3975,"href":"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3894\/revisions\/3975"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3905"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3894"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3894"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gizmogrind.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3894"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}