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User profile for user: reza092
reza092 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Macbook pro 2017 13 inch touch bar

Hello,

My macbook pro 2017 13 inch touch bar, purchased on July 2017, is giving me two issues:

  1. It's uncomfortably hot in the keyboard area even with general use such as only MS word, which makes my palms feel heat pinch during typing. Smc Fan shows that both the fan is paused (rpm=0) with minimum load (10 - 15% processor load) and only kicks in at high processor load. And the keyboard area remains warm during sleep! If I run some processor extensive programs (70 - 80% processor load) the fans kicks in but remains 1.2 - 3K even the keyboard area is really hot. It seems fan is functioning ok, but the keyboard area is certainly way hotter than sensor reading temperature, seen in Smc Fan panel or TG pro.
  2. For the last few days I am seeing that battery is showing "service battery" though I don't see any noticeable change in battery performances plus my battery cycle count is only 333! I tried direct power button shut down, SMC reset and NVRAM reset, but no avail. Talked with Apple support, they suggest sending the MBP for battery replacement, which is $199 + tax + shipment !


I spent 2.2K (as you all know how apple charges), and takes care of the MBP like my baby. Now, I am really worried and annoyed that within 3 years MBP is showing this kind of issues. Please share if you have faced such a kind of issues, suggest me what could be the possible reasons, and some solution/s.


Much appreciated!


-Reza

MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on May 17, 2020 7:21 PM

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User profile for user: TheLittles
TheLittles
User level: Level 10
197,093 points

Posted on May 17, 2020 8:03 PM

reza092 Said:

"Macbook pro 2017 13 inch touch bar: My macbook pro 2017 13 inch touch bar, purchased on July 2017, is giving me two issues: It's uncomfortably hot in the keyboard[...]For the last few days I am seeing that battery is showing "service battery" though I don't see any noticeable change in battery performances[,,,]Please share if you have faced such a kind of issues, suggest me what could be the possible reasons, and some solution/s."

-------


Why Risk a Dead Mac?

  • Replace the Battery - No Matter the Cost:

If this is getting hot, place it aside, and let it sit in an open location (not the corner, not a closed room), and placing it on a laptop cooler with the cooler being powered from an external source (a wall outlet, and not the Mac) . Also, contact Apple Support, and have them look at it. I have read on here of Apple laptop batteries getting hot, and it may be corroding. So, send it into Apple for a look.


  • My 2017 MacBook Pro:

As for my prior experiences: My 2017 MacBook Pro had screen issues - it go hot and would always fail. So, apple gave me a swap out, having sent it in 11 times.


  • Send-In Service:

With Apple Stores currently closed at the moment, all there is for service is send-in service. So, contact Apple, and have them look at it.

  1. Apple: would send you a box
  2. You: would sent it to Apple
  3. Apple: would look at it, letting you know your options
  4. You: would determine whether or not to get it serviced
  5. Apple: would service it
  6. You: would get the Mac back.


  • Contacting Apple:

See my following reply.

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User profile for user: TheLittles
TheLittles
User level: Level 10
197,093 points

May 17, 2020 8:03 PM in response to reza092

reza092 Said:

"Macbook pro 2017 13 inch touch bar: My macbook pro 2017 13 inch touch bar, purchased on July 2017, is giving me two issues: It's uncomfortably hot in the keyboard[...]For the last few days I am seeing that battery is showing "service battery" though I don't see any noticeable change in battery performances[,,,]Please share if you have faced such a kind of issues, suggest me what could be the possible reasons, and some solution/s."

-------


Why Risk a Dead Mac?

  • Replace the Battery - No Matter the Cost:

If this is getting hot, place it aside, and let it sit in an open location (not the corner, not a closed room), and placing it on a laptop cooler with the cooler being powered from an external source (a wall outlet, and not the Mac) . Also, contact Apple Support, and have them look at it. I have read on here of Apple laptop batteries getting hot, and it may be corroding. So, send it into Apple for a look.


  • My 2017 MacBook Pro:

As for my prior experiences: My 2017 MacBook Pro had screen issues - it go hot and would always fail. So, apple gave me a swap out, having sent it in 11 times.


  • Send-In Service:

With Apple Stores currently closed at the moment, all there is for service is send-in service. So, contact Apple, and have them look at it.

  1. Apple: would send you a box
  2. You: would sent it to Apple
  3. Apple: would look at it, letting you know your options
  4. You: would determine whether or not to get it serviced
  5. Apple: would service it
  6. You: would get the Mac back.


  • Contacting Apple:

See my following reply.

Reply
User profile for user: TheLittles
TheLittles
User level: Level 10
197,093 points

Jun 7, 2020 8:47 PM in response to reza092

reza092 Said:

"[...]This is strange but made me realize that since the processor is rarely becoming hot to kick in the fans these 15+C temperature from the thunderbolts are spreading on the keyboards/across the upper panel of laptop but can't direct the fans to work.[...]"

-------


You are Welcome.


In Conclusion: So, if there is an increase in temperature, then air would increase (perhaps condensation from humidity). So, with an uplifting keyboard, it is time for a new LogicBoard, in the very least of things - elsewise get a new Mac.


A Few Things To Check:


A. See what is Using Significant Energy:

  1. Click: on the Battery Icon on the Finder Bar - Middle-Right on menubar.
  2. See: if anything shows under Using "Significant Energy" ( See Screenshot)


B. Force Quit the Application:

  1. Go to: Apple Menu
  2. Select: Force Quit...
  3. Select: the Application(s), along with any other application(s) ending in: "(Not Responding)"
  4. Click: the Force Quit button


Screenshot:

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User profile for user: TheLittles
TheLittles
User level: Level 10
197,093 points

May 17, 2020 8:00 PM in response to reza092

In addition to my above reply...


As for Contacting Apple Support:

A. Phone Support Info:


B. Chat Session Info:

Being that phone calls are taking a moment, perform a chat session with Apple Support.

Setting Up the Cat Session:

  1. Go to: support.apple.com
  2. Scroll Down to "Tell us how we can help"
  3. Select: Get Support
  4. Proceed from there as Necessary


C. Note: Phone Calls are Currently a Wait:

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, phone calls are taking a lot longer than usual. So, take this up with Apple, despite how long it may take to get on the phone. With many out of work, and many home from school, phone calls will likely take a while to go through — so, just stay on the line. Ask the Apple Rep — they’ll see this and will run you through the fix. Chats are taking a bit longer too.

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User profile for user: reza092
reza092 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

May 18, 2020 7:26 PM in response to TheLittles

Hi TheLittles,

Thanks for your suggestions and I really appreciate your directions to contact Apple.

I had a feeling that these "service battery" and heating up have something to do with the latest MacOS 10.15.2 update, that automatically installed few weeks back. So, I restored to clean MacOS 10.15.1 from timemachine, and boom - "service battery" issue is gone! And heating up issue became little tolerable, fan kicks in as soon as the laptop starts and only pause during sleep or when the load is ~10% for some time. That being said, prolonged typing on the keyboard still gives me the pinching from hot keyboard!


Unfortunately, I can't send the MBP right now as I am in the middle of writing and defending my thesis. So, I am using the SMC fan to keep the fan running at 3-5K when I need to continuously type. I am buying a 3.5" fan tomorrow to blow air on MBP (isn't if funny!). Awfully frustrated- my 8+ yr old Samsung notebook (~$650 at that time) still runs cool, just slow. Next time, I am going to buy Samsung laptop- "Powered to win, built to last", may be that's true!


I would really appreciate your sharing, if anyone has experienced this kind of heating problem due to certain MacOS update, and later reverted back to older version of MacOS for solution.


Thanks,


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User profile for user: TheLittles
TheLittles
User level: Level 10
197,093 points

May 18, 2020 7:40 PM in response to reza092

reza092 Said:

"Hi TheLittles, Thanks for your suggestions and I really appreciate your directions to contact Apple. [...]I would really appreciate your sharing, if anyone has experienced this kind of heating problem due to certain MacOS update, and later reverted back to older version of MacOS for solution."

-------


You are welcome.


The Update to macOS 10.13 Caused this:

This heat up all started happening when I upgraded my my 2017 MacBook Pro from Sierra to High Sierra. Downgrading back to Sierra kept the heat coming about, despite the downgrade. And this is because of the issue caused by High Sierra: - overheating due to unexpected fan issues.

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User profile for user: reza092
reza092 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Jun 7, 2020 7:55 PM in response to reza092

Follow up:

After a week of reverting back to macOS 10.15.1 the problem came back again with vengeance! With the service battery warning, the battery life was very poor (~3hr working on word and powerpoint).

So, I backup everything and reverted back to the macOS 10.12.6 (sierra that came with). It was cooler at startup (~30C) but again started heating up! And I could not use lot of programs that requires updated xcode. So, I had to update to latest catalina. It started cool but was still heating up!

Then I installed the TG pro to see the temperatures of various sensors and it showed my both thunderbots shoots up 35 to 52C in a minute when connected to portable hard disk and second monitor (most of the time I use second monitor) while processor is still at 35-40 with regular work. This is strange but made me realize that since the processor is rarely becoming hot to kick in the fans these 15+C temperature from the thunderbolts are spreading on the keyboards/across the upper panel of laptop but can't direct the fans to work. After disconnecting all external dongle/connection the laptop runs just fine, keyboard is cool and all sensor shows temperature 35-40C with regular programs! However, I still feel that processor demanding programs make the keyboard hot but not as hot that I experienced before. I think the fans' air circulation efficiency has reduced most likely from dusts inside. So, I will be taking it to store for cleaning or dusting out.

Now I can't use dongle with such expensive macbook pro unless it's for a shot time! But Thanks to TG pro.

I hope some other MBP users find this helpful.

Cheers!

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Macbook pro 2017 13 inch touch bar

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