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Big Fast Eddy

Q: can a mac mini overheat? does it automatically shut down?

Can a mac mini overheat? Does it then shut down. What do i need to do?

Mac mini

Posted on Jul 10, 2012 12:16 PM

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Q: can a mac mini overheat? does it automatically shut down?

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Jul 10, 2012 2:16 PM in response to Big Fast Eddy
    Level 8 (38,720 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 10, 2012 2:16 PM in response to Big Fast Eddy

    Unexpected shutdowns are more often related to the power supply starting to fail.  One thing you can try is to reset the power management, which is called "PMU" or "SMC," depending on your specific Mac mini model.

     

    If it's Intel-based, this is the procedure

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

     

    If it's PowerPC-based (a G4), this is the procedure

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2183

     

    You should disconnect ALL cables when you do this.  When you connect it back to power, if you were using a power strip of some type (especially if it's old or overcrowded), connect it directly to a wall outlet by itself (at least initially).  Don't connect any peripherals except standard keyboard and mouse (and display).  Use it that way for a while and see if there is any improvement. 

     

    If it's working better, it may be because of the PMU/SMC reset, or possibly because there was some conflict related to having the peripherals connected (or a faulty device).  Add those devices back one at a time, to see if the problem recurs.

     

    In case it is related to overheating, you should check the vents along the bottom for accumulation of dust blocking airflow.

  • by hanu76,

    hanu76 hanu76 Oct 20, 2012 8:56 AM in response to Big Fast Eddy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 20, 2012 8:56 AM in response to Big Fast Eddy

    Sadly it's a well known problem amongst mac mini users, it's simply a design problem Apple wouldn't admit. They thought the heat would dispatch through the aluminium housing, but that's just not enough. I have the same, early mac mini i5 2.5, housing hot like **** when running games or pro audio apps, keeps freezing. Only way to avoid that is using a program like 'SMC fan control', driving the fan much faster and louder and/or putting something icey on top of it...

  • by John Lockwood,

    John Lockwood John Lockwood Oct 31, 2012 5:31 AM in response to Big Fast Eddy
    Level 6 (9,309 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Oct 31, 2012 5:31 AM in response to Big Fast Eddy

    A Mac can overheat and if it does would normally shutdown, it has various built-in sensors for this. I have not had it happen with a Mac mini but have had it happen with a very old PowerMac in which the heatsink compound between the CPU and heatsink had deterioated. In my case cleaning and applying fresh compound fixed the problem.

     

    Other causes are having the vents blocked by for example paper, dust, fluff, cats,etc. or putting it too close to a radiator, or putting it on or under another device which adds to the heat. Or of course if the fan is faulty.

  • by kd4ttc,

    kd4ttc kd4ttc Jul 12, 2014 12:12 PM in response to John Lockwood
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 12, 2014 12:12 PM in response to John Lockwood

    Yes, look for dust in the air vents. Happened to me. Vacuumed the ports and all is well.

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Jul 12, 2014 12:25 PM in response to kd4ttc
    Level 10 (188,672 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 12, 2014 12:25 PM in response to kd4ttc

    kd4ttc did you notice that the post is over 1 /2 years old? I think they resolved the problem by now

    kd4ttc wrote:

     

    Yes, look for dust in the air vents. Happened to me. Vacuumed the ports and all is well.

  • by kd4ttc,

    kd4ttc kd4ttc Jul 12, 2014 2:44 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 12, 2014 2:44 PM in response to lllaass

    Well, you seem to have found it quickly. This thread turned up on the first page of a google search for <mac mini overheats and shuts down>. It is surprising how often an older link like this shows up as a first result, but without a beneficial response. While the original posters may have figured this out, I was posting to others that have found the same problem, and hope to save them a little grief. Just trying to make the universe a little better.

     

    Steve