24-inch iMac M4 fans are silent, is this normal?

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Level 1

9 points

24-inch iMac M4 fans are silent, is this normal?

I have a 24" iMac, a mid-level configuration with the M4 chip (10-core CPU / 4 performance cores / 6 efficiency cores, 10-core GPU and 4 ports). I understand that this device has 2 fans, yet I *never* hear the slightest sound of a fan. I can run my hand all over the case even after hours of use and it feels completely cool to the touch.

I'm not complaining -- in fact, I love the silence compared to the racket my old Windows PCs used to make -- but I'm wondering if the fans are really that silent or if they just aren't running at all because the machine isn't being taxed that much from my web surfing and spreadsheet usage.

iMac 24″, macOS 26.5

Posted on Jul 27, 2026 7:16 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 27, 2026 7:45 AM in response to thundbird

The fans will only run faster if there is enough heat being generated to warrant their faster operation.

Not only does this reduce noise, but it also keeps your computer’s “internals” cleaner; not pushing thru “unnecessary” airflow and dust.

Apple has made huge strides in reducing power consumption. Less power consumption results in less heat being generated.

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

96,346 points

Jul 27, 2026 7:45 AM in response to thundbird

That is normal and there is nothing to worry about. Apple has always used a minimal default fan speed to keep fan noise to a minimum. The only time the fans should ever ramp up, is for a short time to add some additional cooling under a very extreme CPU/GPU load.

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Answer 3

steve626

Level 6

16,757 points

Jul 27, 2026 12:26 PM in response to thundbird

There is a free version of TechTool Pro, it is called TechTool Lite. Both are available from micromat.com.

TechTool Lite (and the paid up version TechTool Pro) includes a suite of hardware, disk drive, and software tests. One of them is a Fans test and if you run it, it ramps up the fans to make sure they are working properly, for a few seconds.

You can do that if you are worried your fans are somehow not functioning properly. You will hear them spin up, they will run for about 3-5 seconds and then turn off (or down). With TechTool Lite, there is no cost for this and it might alleviate any concern you may have.

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Answer 4

MartinR

Level 7

25,854 points

Jul 27, 2026 7:59 AM in response to thundbird

The silence is perfectly normal and is a good thing.

The time to be concerned is when you hear the fans ramping up to high speed.

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