My Mac goes black while I'm working on it. If I hit "return", it comes back on. I read it could be an overheating issue from collected dust. Would like to know if I can remove dust DIY and how?
iMac 27″, macOS 12.7
For a very long time the iMac air intakes have been on the bottom edge of the case regardless of screen size:
On 27-inch iMacs made after 2011 , it was the exhaust vent that moved to near the RAM door:
Apple did not design the 2012 and later iMac case to be opened by end users, so there is little you can do about internal dust build-up, like on fan blades, without professional help. Many end users attempting to open a thin-case iMac have caused permanent damage.
Many iMac overheating episodes are not dirt issues but rather workstation issues. This picture is from an older thread here where the user could not figure out why his iMac constantly ran hot:
The junk on the desk blocked about 90 percent of the normal flow of cool air into the computer. It is important to respect the ~three-inch distance Apple designed to separate the work surface from the air intakes.
The intake ports are where the RAM door is assuming it is a 27" iMac. Open the door, remove the RAM and VACUME (NEVER EVER BLOW) and accumulated dust out.
Thanks. My workspace may be a mess, but not around the computer. I vacuumed the exhaust vent and it was dusty. Will see if the problem persists.
Thanks. I'm afraid I might cause more damage. Did vacuum the exhaust vent.
If your iMac is 2011 or older, the procedure that rkaufmann87 recommends will not harm your computer:
How to remove dust from Mac Desktop late 2015
