After upgrading my MacBook Air, continue to get the message when trying to view latest photos "Syncing with iCloud Paused - Mac Needs to Cool Down" even though it is NOT running hot, there are little to know apps, processes running that would even cause this issue. Only solution seems to be reboot or revisit Photos from my desktop another day (or view on my phone or iPad).
MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.13
It seems to be the fan speed that puts it into cooldown mode, I downloaded an app where I can control the fan speed, and when I put the fan speed on high, Photos says Mac needs to cool down. It seems to be regardless of the processor temperature. So I manually locked my fan speed into 3000, and now it's syncing. The CPU temperature seem to be sitting in the 60 to 70° range and not getting any hotter so I'm gonna call that a win. Apple should really not be referencing the fan speed, it should be referencing the temperature of the sensors.
It seems to be the fan speed that puts it into cooldown mode, I downloaded an app where I can control the fan speed, and when I put the fan speed on high, Photos says Mac needs to cool down. It seems to be regardless of the processor temperature. So I manually locked my fan speed into 3000, and now it's syncing. The CPU temperature seem to be sitting in the 60 to 70° range and not getting any hotter so I'm gonna call that a win. Apple should really not be referencing the fan speed, it should be referencing the temperature of the sensors.
Even though my iMac 27 didn't feel that hot I didn't hear a fan running. I ran a diagnostic check and got a fan error. I decided to take it to a Mac service center and they discovered the fan was loaded with lint/dust. After they cleaned it I haven't had any troubles with Syncing iCloud.
My Mac wouldn't update/sync photos from my iPhone due to "Mac needs to cool down" and it wasn't even hot. I did open it up (I have it connected to a monitor) and put a small fan on it. It started updating photos within 5 minutes.
I can verify that this solution works. I use an app called "Macs Fan Control" so that I can manually throttle the speed of my MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019).
After reducing my fan speed to 3000 RPM from ≥4000 RPM, Photos automatically started syncing without any further action.
I prop the bottom up with a couple objects, like large polished rocks I have laying around on my desk. Then I use my small desk fan and lay it on its side so the air is going under the laptop.
However, lately I’ve been resorting to setting the Mac on a big bag of frozen vegetables, or gel ice packs to cool down fast 😊 and within 1-2 minutes it cools down enough to start updating iCloud again.
I am also getting that message. I use mine opened up and, while feeling all around the undercarriage, I can’t feel anywhere that it is even warm let alone hot.
Can anyone give an explanation for this? Or is this a matter for Apple Support?
Is everyone affected by this issue using Intel Macs, by any chance?
I spoke to Apple Support on the same issue and a few others as my Mac has practically stopped working since Jan 2024. An advisor said to me "Yeah maybe Sonoma doesn't run too well on these Macs"
Think that says it all, and tells you what the only real solution is. I'm not saying Apple are deliberately crippling old hardware to force us all to buy more kit, they wouldn't do that, right?
I noticed this problem today. Turned off the machine for about 15 minutes. Started it up, and the "needs to cool down" message was replaced with "synched just now".
Ten minutes later, it's back to "needs to cool down".
iMac 27" 2020, Sonoma 14.4.1
This seems like a consistent issue that Apple are ignoring. I am running a 2019 iMac 3.2 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7 with Sonoma 14.6.1 and my Mac is also running cool without the fans running. For some reason, Photos thinks the computer is hot when it isn't, and I can't sync photos either.
Apple really needs to do something about this!
I recently upgraded my Mac to the latest OS Sequoia, and now I don't have any issues with syncing anymore. Photos come in right away. I'm using a MacBook Pro 13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports. Guess they fixed this in the new OS.
#metoo
I got it to restart by putting my Mac on my hubby's HP laptop that's not switched on (metal covers). Let' see, if it actually starts showing new photos.
Just a 'Me too' here. I monitor my temps pretty closely, and even if the SoC is under 45°C for a very long time (< 1% CPU load, computer sitting idle for 30+ minutes), it still just keeps saying "Mac Needs to Cool Down" until a reboot. Not sure why.
I'm running it in clamshell mode... maybe some temperature sensor is cooking in that configuration?
Hey, that's a thought - I too use my laptop with it closed (clamshell) but even to the touch it never feels warm or hot - but perhaps as you say some sensor, just sensing it's closed and assuming it's hot.
How are we >6 months on .. several releases and this has not been addressed. I haven't been able to sync for a week+ now .. I have to AirDrop my pictures to my Mac to use them. This is NOT a hard issue to resolve, please address asap.
Same problem here. Apple: if the Mac _really_ needs to cool down, let it pause other background work when I tell it (using your future new "force Photos to sync with iCloud button) to sync my Photos with iCloud.
Syncing with iCloud Paused - Mac Needs to Cool Down
