2018 macbook pro overheating with external monitor

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374E8 Author

Level 1

4 points

2018 macbook pro overheating with external monitor

Hi to everyone.

I have a 2018 15 inch MacBook pro with these specs:

Cpu: 2,2GHz Intel Core i7 6 core

Gpu: intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB

Ram: 16 GB

Since I bought this about 2000$ computer I intended to often use it connected to a secondary monitor.

Unfortunately after some minutes it always starts overheating, fans kick in and it becomes so hot that I can barely touch the metal above the touch bar, after a while I can see marks appearing on the lower part of the screen due to the heat.

All of this without doing nothing special, I usually just keep one or two safari pages on the embedded screen and another one on the secondary screen, no other program running.

The screen I usually use is a small Samsung HD computer monitor connected with apple's usbc to hdmi adapter and the computer is kept on a stand.

I feel a bit frustrated because I tried a lot of different things: I called several times apple's support that made me perform different keyboard combo procedures, I tried keeping the adapter and the charger on different sides of the computer as I read online, tried all the ports, I factory reset the computer, tried other monitors.

Also I have other older macbooks and I have seen newer macbooks that can do it flawlessly, I mean even my smartphone can do it.

Also I read somewhere online that it's a frequent problem with this model that has something to do with the dedicated gpu but I'm not an expert so I can't say.

Eventually I resigned using an old laptop to drive the secondary screen.

Aside from this it's a wonderful machine, works really well.

Now after some years I'm in need of a more rational setup, I would love to keep using my Macbook but it doesn't seem like the latest updates have fixed the problem. So before I buy a new machine I thought as last resort of asking here to see if someone knows something I don't that I can try.

Sorry for my poor English and thanks for any help!

MacBook Pro (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Dec 10, 2023 3:13 PM

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Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 9

77,966 points

Dec 11, 2023 5:05 PM in response to 374E8

Welcome!

A common cause of heating with an external monitor is having the Macbook Pro in clamshell mode (internal display closed) and setting the computer aside vertically with the hinge down like book on a shelf. The hinge area is the critical hot air exhaust area on all Macbook Pros. If standing on its hinge, it cannot "exhale."

Simply setting the computer with the hinge up show help a lot.

Also pay close attention to the location of the air intakes. Most 15-inch Macbook Pros have vent here:

Those must also be unobstructed.

PS: Your English is quite good.

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Answer 2

374E8 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 13, 2023 4:24 AM in response to Allan Jones

Thank you Allan for your kind answer.

I keep the computer on a stand about 15 cm above the desk to guarantee airflow and I don't use calmshell mode because I also use the standard MacBook screen.

With only 2 safari tabs open I get these temperature readings:

CPU oscillates between 70°C and 82°C

GPU oscillates between 70°C and 75°C

CPU usage is around 10% (from activity monitor)

Fans run pretty fast and loud, the metal above the touch bar burns.

I understand that these temperatures are not extreme but I want to keep the computer working on these easy tasks all day long (displaying one or two safari pages on each screen).

Could it be damaged for running at these temperatures with fast spinning fans all day long?

I'm also worried about the temperatures it could reach If I decide to run some more heavy duty program, could I cook something on it at that point? 🤣

Thank you again for answering and for any future help.

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2018 macbook pro overheating with external monitor

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