I recently updated my MacBook Air to Sequoia 15.3, and since the update, I've been experiencing overheating and rapid battery drain. These issues never occurred before the update, and I'm not sure what’s causing them.
Has anyone else faced similar problems? Are there any troubleshooting steps or fixes I can try? I’d really appreciate any suggestions!
Thanks in advance. 😊
You are welcome
Though as has already been shared earlier.
No issues on my M3 MBA since Sonoma to Sequoia 15.3.1
To address and offer additional suggestions in Trouble Shooting your computer issue
To avoid a session of Q&A, Q&A and Q&A
Download the Application Etrecheck ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.
This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.
It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer
The application is free or paid for added features.
The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information.
Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon <<<<
Lastly - should you decide to use and post the Report now or at a later time, we are willing to have a very close look and offer some insights
You are welcome
Though as has already been shared earlier.
No issues on my M3 MBA since Sonoma to Sequoia 15.3.1
To address and offer additional suggestions in Trouble Shooting your computer issue
To avoid a session of Q&A, Q&A and Q&A
Download the Application Etrecheck ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.
This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.
It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer
The application is free or paid for added features.
The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information.
Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon <<<<
Lastly - should you decide to use and post the Report now or at a later time, we are willing to have a very close look and offer some insights
delete the cached files from library/user folder and restart the Mac .
if the issue is persistent even then visit a Apple Service Provider and run the full system diagnostics and check is there any issues in the device.
Sometimes reinstalling the OS also solves many problems
A - Below are ALL Contributor Factors to this overall issue on a Fan- Less Computer that may or may not be operating in Excessive Heat.
B - Remedial actions are availble upon request for same
Q - Description: Heating and battery draining issue
1 - Orphan system extension - A system extension has not been properly uninstalled.
2 - System extension blocked - There are system extensions awaiting user approval.
Drives:
3 - disk0 - APPLE SSD AP0256Q 251.00 GB (Solid State - TRIM: Yes)
Size: 245.11 GB
4 - Free: 104.06 GB
5 - Available: 110.41 GB
From another contributor @etresoft regarding Free Space and Available Space
Free vs available disk space huge differe… - Apple Community
Quote >> “ The "available" storage is the amount of used storage that the operating system could automatically delete if it felt that it was really necessary. The "free" storage is the amount that you can actually use for something.
There are system processes that run in the background and automatically delete some of the "available" storage and convert it to "free". If you completely run out of storage, then those system processes will try a little harder. When you "delete" files you are just hinting to the operating system that you don't need those files anymore. The operating system will eventually remove them, but on its own schedule.
Certain tools will allow you to force the issue and manually clean up some of this storage and manually delete local snapshots. But that is only temporary. " << End Quote
6 - Waiting for authorization] com.obsproject.obs-studio.mac-camera-extension - version 30.0.2 (Wizards of OBS LLC - installed 2023-12-11)
7 - [Running] ProtonVPN OpenVPN - version 4.3.0 (ProtonVPN AG - installed 2024-05-26)
8 - Loaded] com.google.GoogleUpdater.wake.plist (Google LLC - installed 2025-02-03)
9 - com.google.keystone.xpcservice.plist (Not signed - installed 2023-12-07)
User Login Items:
10 - Slack Login Helper (App Store - installed 2025-02-07)
11 - StartUpHelper (Spotify - installed 2025-02-11)
12 - HP Device Monitor (HP Inc. - installed 2024-07-17)
VPNs:
13 - Urban VPN Tunnel - /Applications/Urban VPN Desktop.app
Top Processes Snapshot by Memory:
14 - Google Chrome Helper (Renderer) (14) 1.88 GB (Google LLC)
15 - Google Chrome 246 MB (Google LLC)
16 - Google Chrome Helper (3) 189 MB (Google LLC)
Top Processes Snapshot by Energy Use:
17 - Google Chrome Helper (Renderer) (14) 259 (Google LLC)
18 - Google Chrome Helper (3) 0 (Google LLC)
Is this MacBook Air the Intel computer for 2020 ?
Is this MacBook Air the Apple Silicon computer ?
Ask because the Apple Silicon Computers are Fan-less computers
So they are 100 % dependent on proper external ventilation to remain at acceptable Operating Temperatures
Excessive and prolonged usage in temperatures above the guidelines are some of the Biggest Enemies to these machines
Same goes for Battery Life or in this case case, reduced battery life > " rapid battery drain "
Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
I have just deleted the caced files and restart it. If doesn't work then I have to take a visit to apple service center.
Follow on
I own and operate a M3 Apple Silicon MBA that originally ran macOS 14 Sonoma
It has been upGraded to every version of macOS 15 Sequoia including the latest version 15.3.1
It has not exhibited any of the symptoms you have described
The end result being, it is not Sequoia that would be the root cause of this issue
Remember, Apple Designed both this computer and the Operating System Specifically to work on Qualifies computer
Surajair wrote:
It is macbook air M1 Apple Silicon, fan less laptop.
I think you have answered your own question.
Fan Less computers are very good when operated within the Temperature Guidelines
Environmental Condtions are not really within purview of Apple
What you may need is the more expensive MacBook Pro computer that Do Have Fans
I agree that fanless Macs are designed to work within specific temperature limits. However, since I wasn’t experiencing these issues before the update, I’m wondering if something in Sequoia 15.3 is triggering extra background processes or higher resource usage.
Upgrading to a MacBook Pro is an option, but I’d prefer to troubleshoot first.
Thanks for the suggestion! I appreciate the detailed troubleshooting approach. I’ll download EtreCheck and run a diagnostic to get a clearer picture of what might be causing the issue.
Once I generate the report, I’ll post it here using the Additional Text Icon so you can take a look. Hopefully, it helps pinpoint whether this is a system-level issue or something specific to my setup.
Thanks again for your help—I'll update soon!
It is macbook air M1 Apple Silicon, fan less laptop.
Here is the report geenrated with the software which you have suggested me. @PRP_53
Hello, I have the same issue, Macbook Air M3... I think they will just put another update to remove this issue. I have my Macbook for 3 months and after this specific update it started overheating.
MacBook Air Overheating & Battery Drain After Sequoia 15.3 Update
