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User profile for user: kalel1977
kalel1977 Author
User level: Level 1
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My Macbook Pro fans always on

Hi to everyone,

I just noticed some days ago that on my brand new MacBook Pro (5-6 months older) 2.3 ghz I7 with 10.8.5, the right and left fans are always on.


User uploaded file


From what I can remember, in this months I never noticed something like this, I mean fans always on, especially when the mac wasn't run any application.

I don't use to install craps on the macs, I always used this philosophy, even if the Mac is less "fancy" and I always got great result, my Powerbook G4 1.67 ghz with 10.5.8 still working great!

I usually use it mainly for music production and daily net-mail works. I have for the 80% of the time the Mac connected with a NEC EX231W external display by thunderbolt, a Motu 4Pre, by the fw800, a WD usb3 hd on a usb port and a 4usb hub on the other port.

From what I can remember in the past months I neved had the fan always on, for most of the time they were really off and from the first moment I always use the set I metioned above.

So now I'm starting to be worry about, because I noticed that even when the mac is working with the battery, with no devices connected, running really few applications, not particualry heavy, the fans are always at 1998/2000 rpm.

Thanks to everyone can help me to fix this problem.

Posted on Nov 28, 2013 11:26 PM

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11 replies
User profile for user: kalel1977
kalel1977 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Nov 29, 2013 11:45 AM in response to kalel1977

So I don't have to worry about it? I was wondering why in the previous months there were several times the fan were completely off and now they are always run a 2000rpm.

Can you please explain it?

@Mende I read the link you suggested but I'm not 100% sicure that is my case, what I can do to double check if this is my case?

Thank you so much!

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User profile for user: mende1
mende1
User level: Level 10
93,538 points

Nov 29, 2013 11:47 AM in response to kalel1977

The SMC manages the fan speed, so it is the thing to reset if you have any problem with fans.


On MacBooks, fans always run at 2000 rpm. They will only run at more speed when you are doing heavy tasks, but they won't work below that speed. From what you say, it looks like you didn't notice that fans were working in the past, because fan speed has not changed

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User profile for user: Courcoul
Courcoul
User level: Level 6
18,558 points

Dec 2, 2013 6:53 AM in response to kalel1977

As we've repeatedly mentioned, the fans are designed to run all the time, in a 2000-6000 RPM range. If at any time speed falls to zero, "Houston, we have a problem" time has arrived. The heat load from the CPU (and GPU, if so equipped) would quickly reach the danger zone.


Why would you get a zero RPM reading? As usual, it is either a software or a hardware problem. Software: whatever it is you're using for the readout ain't getting it right OR there's a major "kunfuzzion" in there. Hardware: speed sensor(s) damaged OR fan(s) blocked and really not running. Either way, the issue needs to be addressed pronto, cause if "no fan(s)" is really and truly NO FAN(S), Mac's gonna be kaput in no time.


Note that I say fan(s) cause we've yet to confirm if yours is a 15" unit. Those and the ancient 17" come with two fans. The 13" units have a single one.

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My Macbook Pro fans always on

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