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b4myhart Author

Level 1

4 points

MacBook Air (2011) fan

The fan all of a sudden will not shut off. I've held down shift control option and off buttons for 10 seconds (which used to work) and it shuts off. After 10 seconds I tap the on button it quietly comes on

then the fan starts. It is on a flat surface. I don't know how to reset the SMC or PRAM which some have suggested. The is a new software to be installed. I still have unused storage but could reduce it. Some say clean the fans? I would need to take the back off and then it is pandora's box.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Sep 29, 2022 11:19 AM

Top-ranking reply

John Galt

Level 10

147,288 points

Posted on Sep 29, 2022 12:28 PM

After a decade of use, an accumulation of dust on the Mac's cooling fins is likely to be a causal factor.

It is easily removed, but it ought to be performed by an authorized Apple repair facility. Start here: Apple Support. Resist the temptation to use compressed air from the outside of the Mac's case, which can only drive any possible dust and other contaminants further inside the case.

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MacBook Air (2011) fan

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