macbook pro M4 gets warm when lid closed

ibisiki wrote:

update: in safe mode it appears not to get warm at all and battery depletion is back to "normal".

so probably faulty OS/software.

Flabbergasting that this effort needs to be done to operate a Macbook normally in 2026 while it was normal practice since my first mac in 2012.

Will scrutinize logs as soon as I can like I'm the apple support staffer.

Safe Mode is only meant to be a troubleshooting aid to confirm if the problem occurs in Safe Mode, it is not meant to be a solution.

And the relevant information from your deleted post:

Ran for a few weeks in safe mode where it didn't occur.

Didn't go nerding in the logfiles, other thing to do.

After latest macos update, and running in normal mode again, noticed it's not heating up anymore when the lid is closed.

Hope apple fixes this permanently rather than have fanboys distort the comment section like elon trolls did heavily when starlink was new.

Maybe the Apple update fixed the issue. Or maybe the issue was never an Apple update, but an issue with some third party software. Usually an issue will be due to an issue with third party software that is interfering with the normal operation of macOS. You could have possibly confirmed it by booting the laptop normally after the two weeks, but before applying the OS update.

Technically an OS update may have caused some third party app to misbehave, but a misbehaving app is usually the fault of the app itself and not Apple's update.

If you want to look into a possible issue with third party software, then you can take my earlier suggestion back in Feb. to provide an EtreCheck report. Usual culprits are anti-virus apps, cleaning/optimizer apps, and third party security software....none of which are needed on a Mac and those types of apps will usually cause more problems than they solve.

FYI, looking at the macOS log files usually won't help. Seeing an EtreCheck report could provide us with some clues though.

<< Got an M4 Pro recently, hardly any apps installed and it also warms up in my bag (not as hot as the intel). >>

That new wicked-fast Mac M4 Pro, if no issues, starts up from nominally completely OFF in only a few seconds. A Mac in a bag, only sleeping, is a potential time-bomb -- it may awaken in the bag and overheat.

So, no don't install yet another third party app. Shut it down before it goes in the bag. In the time it takes you to pull it out and place it in position, it will be ready-to-run.

<< Only 3rd party app is nordvpn, essential for many. >>

VPN:

A virtual private network, or VPN, is a private connection over the Internet from a device to a specific network.  VPN technology is widely used in corporate environments. If you need to be "present" on an institutional network, a VPN is a great tool for accomplishing this. It is generally issued and controlled by the institution.

Almost all other uses are a SCAM. There is generally no need for you to have a private (and almost always MUCH slower) connection to a VPN vendor's Network, except to make it easier for them to harvest your data to sell. If you are behind a Router you control or Trust, there is NO security advantage whatsoever in using a VPN. Your connections are already encrypted in most cases.

If VPN vendors just stopped there, it would be bad. But many of these packages also insist on scanning all your files, non-stop, -- nominally looking for viruses, but who knows for sure what data they are harvesting. Their non-stop file reading punishes your computer's performance in the process.

Some also break into your other secure connections so they can be FIRST to examine your data, often leaving your Mac MORE vulnerable to attack.

What VPN service to use?

DON'T use VPN services

https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29

ibisiki wrote:

it appears in safe mode it doesn't occur... so how to figure out which app it is?

staggering that a user should scrutinize it on a MacBook in 2026 like it's an HP with Windows Vista.

Run the third party app EtreCheck and post the complete report here so we can examine it for clues. EtreCheck can be run from the Downloads folder and can easily be removed by moving it to the Trash....nothing gets installed.

How to Post an EtreCheck Report

ibisiki wrote:

Only 3rd party app is nordvpn, essential for many.

Will try the Safe Boot immediately though!!!

Suggest that as a test, completely uninstall nordvpn. Then re-check for warming of sleeping laptop in the bag. You can always reinstall it later.

VPNs may be constantly trying to do something in the background when laptop lid is closed. Causing laptop to heat up. Even when VPN is "off." Better yet, download and run Etrecheck as suggested before by others.

For reference: I have often closed lids on 2019 Intel MacBook Pro and more recent M3 MacBook Pro (Silicon) and put in laptop bag, and never experienced warming up nor heating. Hence I suspect something user installed, such as the VPN or something else. This could be identified by posting Etrecheck report.

<< update: in safe mode it appears not to get warm at all and battery depletion is back to "normal".

so probably faulty OS/software. >>

"Works in Safe mode, fails in regular mode" implies "It's something YOU added".

Safe Mode does a number of different things.

On older Intel Macs, hold shift at startup, but have your userid and password at the ready.

On newer Apple silicon Macs, shut down your Mac. Then as you start up again, hold the power key until the ’Startup Options’ screen appears.

A parade of unusual things happens.

• Your Mac loads just enough of the kernel to do a disk check. Then it proceeds to do a disk check and if needed, make Repairs. This can take an extra about five minutes.

• your userid and password are required, even if you normally auto-login. So have them handy.

• Your Mac adds ONLY a minimal set of Apple-Only extensions, Not including graphics acceleration extensions.

Screen updates will therefore be wonky and slow, but it ultimately should be correct.

• Your Mac assumes defaults for as many settings as possible, including screen resolution.

This is the key for re-setting the screen, but there is a little more to it: Resolution is likely to be temporarily lower and settings ordinary. Use this as a starting point to customize settings to your liking.

If you make NO changes, regular mode will just revert to what you had set before, so DO make changes!

Any changes you make in Safe Mode will "stick" in regular mode after you restart.

• after a Restart in normal mode, your Mac will take slightly longer to start up [once] because it rebuilds some system caches.

How to use Safe Mode on your Mac

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

Your 16-inch Macbook Pro cooling system has important vents similar to these:

If any vents are partially or completely blocked and the computer is on, the fan-driven cooling system can be less efficient or even useless.

Even in a traditional workspace, a clearance of 100cm / 4 inches between the hinge area and any obstruction on the desk is recommended. In a backpack, the hinge area and one side vent may be completely occluded.

Like the others I find that my M4 Pro Macbook Pro 14-inch starts so quickly when I opne the lid that turning it OFF before putting it in my backpack is a non-issue.

It is not a universal condition. My M4 Pro Macbook Pro 14" stays cool with the lid closed, even in a backpack.

I have NO aftermarket "maintenance/security utilities" installed. As already pointed out, most overheating complaints here turn out to be caused by the ill-advised installation of anti-virus software, so-called "cleaning" apps, or useless client-side VPNs.

The suite of Google apps can increase temps if left running when not used. That's on Google, not Apple.

ibisiki wrote:

macbook pro M4 gets warm when lid closed

Got an M4 Pro recently, hardly any apps installed and it also warms up in my bag (not as hot as the intel).

Does anyone have an actual working solution for this persistence?

Prudent advise already given.

Have you tried shutting down

>Shut down

If no resolve try SafeBoot to sort anomalies https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

Does a quick disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled temporarily. Caches get rebuilt automatically.

you can log in to test, but the idea is to reboot normally and compare the results in the real world.

However you hardly paint a very big picture.

Everybody knows how much the MBP cost in 2026. This is of no value. Save your breath.

— This is happening under every condition, everyday are you discovered this once pulling it out of a bag...(?)

— this is into the bag to the coffee shop and back out in 15 minutes...(?)

—This is in the bag and you leave it over night...(?)

very hard to speculate on your scenario.

I can say there are System Setting worth looking at—Battery>Options

Uninstall all third party apps that are Cleaners/Optimizers/VPN/Anti-Virus

all known to cause issues on the macOS

ibisiki wrote:

It’s not normal to shut down a macbook every time when bagging or leaving your desk, so I can’t follow up on this strange advise.

Having used computers for decades in business and personal environments I have not found any valid reason not to shut down a computer when not in use and especially when putting in a bag (restricted air flow environment).

I suggest turning on low power mode before you put it in the bag, just to protect it from overheating, you can even create an automation for this so every time you leave the house with it, it'll automatically turn on for you

I agree 100% with Grant Bennet-Alder 's recommendation. Why would anyone not shut down a computer prior to putting it into a bag?