Loud Fans on Macbook Pro Retina

Question

Level 1

45 points

Loud Fans on Macbook Pro Retina

I just bought a new Macbook Pro 15" Retina and right out of the box the fans started revving up like a jet engine. I hadn't even opened any programs yet. They slowly ramp up, building to a peak volume in about 5 seconds, last for about a minute, and then ramp back down and stop. Every 5 minutes.

I took the machine into the Apple store and they ran overnight diagnostics and told me that the machine passed all their tests and there was nothing they can do. After dealing with this fiasco for about a week the problem persists. It's too distracting to work with, and since I don't seem to have any other option I am taking advantage of Apple's 14-day return policy.

How many others have had this problem? If you have, please chime in so that Apple engineers will become aware of this issue.

Bottom Line

If you are having the same problem and are within the 14-day return window, do yourself a favor and save the trouble of trying to fix it. As of January 10, Apple engineers are unaware of the problem and the employees of the Apple store are going to tell you there's nothing that they can do. If you are past the 14-day window... the guy at the Apple store told me that the next step would be to bring the computer back to Apple so they can send it to an engineer in Cupertino. This would mean you would be without your precious computer for a week or more. Bummer.

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Jan 12, 2013 1:21 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 12, 2013 5:13 PM in response to maplevshoney

I haven't experienced this issue yet, what kind of surface are you sitting your laptop on? Mine seemed to heat up and the fans would go full blast if it was on my bed where air flow was not that great, but working on a table was fine.

Have you tried running an AST test to check whether it passes?

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Answer 2

maplevshoney Author

Level 1

45 points

Jan 12, 2013 5:36 PM in response to MacSet20177

It happened on numerous surfaces and in no circumstance was the computer ever hot. As I said it happened immediately after turning the laptop on for the first time- the computer was cold.

I didn't run any tests on my own, but I did do an SMC reset, which has no effect. But as I mentioned, the Apple store ran full diagnostics and it passed (I had to leave the computer with them for 24 hours). According to a robot the computer is functioning properly. According to human ears, not so much.

😉

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Answer 3

Jan 12, 2013 6:21 PM in response to maplevshoney

That is so random, Apple should have just replaced it if you could actually reproduce the issue infront of them. To be honest, I wouldn't go into the store. I would contact apple support, explain the situation to them and get them to give you a support case number with a resolution they specify. Then take that support number to the apple store and they can't really say much then.

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Answer 4

maplevshoney Author

Level 1

45 points

Jan 12, 2013 6:44 PM in response to MacSet20177

Thanks, that is good advice but I don't want to put too much energy into fixing a computer that is brand new. I sent it back to B&H today for an exchange. Fingers crossed the next one works!

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Answer 5

Jan 12, 2013 7:00 PM in response to maplevshoney

Ah no worries 🙂 I hope everything gets sorted for you. I have had so many issues with my Retina macbook pro its getting rather frustrating.

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Answer 6

maplevshoney Author

Level 1

45 points

Jan 12, 2013 7:04 PM in response to MacSet20177

Uh oh, what kind of problems?

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Answer 7

Jan 12, 2013 7:07 PM in response to maplevshoney

Replacement of faulty display and I've had the logic board replaced twice and its still in repair... I'm hoping when I get it back that's the last time I have issues with it, It just seems like Apple are losing their game in quality control lately.

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Answer 8

maplevshoney Author

Level 1

45 points

Jan 12, 2013 7:12 PM in response to MacSet20177

Bummer man. Doesn't surprise me though, with everything being made in China. It's a problem.

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Answer 9

Jan 16, 2013 3:24 PM in response to maplevshoney

I'm having almost the exact same problem w/ my MBP Retina. However, I've had mine for a little over 3 weeks and I did not have an issue with the fans until last night. I posted about it here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4713723?answerId=20934570022#20934570022

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Answer 10

maplevshoney Author

Level 1

45 points

Jan 29, 2013 7:38 PM in response to maplevshoney

UPDATE:

I finally received my replacement laptop from B&H and it works as it should, thankfully, the fans are so quiet that I haven't heard them, even after working for 6 hours straight.

This confirms that the original laptop was a lemon. If anyone has this problem and is within the 14-day window don't bother trying to have it looked at, just return it.

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Answer 11

iNeedPow

Level 1

4 points

Feb 21, 2013 11:36 PM in response to maplevshoney

I ordered a rMBP with lower specs, and decided to go bigger. I used the first one with no problems (was amazing..). Fans didn't shoot up once to higher than average 2k RPMs. Then straight out of the box my new rMBP would rev up to about 5-6k RPMs seemingly completely randomly. I have zero programs open that are processes or memory intensive. This *****. It's very annoying, and when I called apple support today (whom were very polite and knowladeable) they had me do a pram and SMP (?) reset. Didn't fix anything. I am not about to take my brand new $3K dollar computer in to be fixed on day one of owning it. Guess I hope my lucky number 3 comes in with no issues, after I return this one. Damnit apple..... don't loose me......

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Answer 12

maplevshoney Author

Level 1

45 points

Feb 22, 2013 11:32 AM in response to iNeedPow

Yeah, the fan thing is a bummer. Mine is still going strong almost a month later, no issues. I've heard that there are a lot of ghosting issues with the retina displays as well, but mine doesn't have that thankfully. I've bought a lot of Macs and I've never heard about so many lemons on the market until these ones. Too bad.

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Answer 13

Rob M

Level 1

20 points

Feb 26, 2013 3:34 PM in response to maplevshoney

Out of the box my fans have been like small jet engines. Even with no programs open (yes I have checked to see what processes are running 😝 ) they still will come on. And the temp with nothing running seems to average 109. I'm bringing mine back after only having it a week. It's too distracting to get anything done except be upset that a $3k laptop is probably a lemon.

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Answer 14

Feb 27, 2013 6:42 AM in response to Rob M

Hello,

I've had my laptop for a few weeks now. Almost every time it wakes from sleep, after about 30 seconds after logging in, the fans turn up to 5900 RPM. The fans gradually go back down to normal speeds (~2160 rpm) with no decernable change in temps (49-50 degrees C). The fan speed stays up for about a minute including the tapering off.

I am using SMC fan control to monitor core temp/fan speeds only. I have not changed the fan's speed profile.

Anyone else seeing this? I've tried resetting my SMC a few times already. I'm just trying to avoid going to the apple store and potentially not having my laptop for a week.

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Answer 15

Rob M

Level 1

20 points

Feb 27, 2013 5:46 PM in response to christopherfrommidlothian

Mine are random, yet consistently going. It's so lame that it's ruined my experience. I'm still in the 14-day window so it's going back this evening.

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