Q: 2011 MBP fan is running a lot

Question

GentleLady

Level 1 (109 points)

Mac OS X

Q: 2011 MBP fan is running a lot

Lately I have noticed that my fan is running a lot more than it used to on my 2011 MBP. I have tried propping it up on something that will allow the air to circulate. But it doesn't seem to help. Is this a bad thing?

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Mar 13, 2015 7:00 AM

I have this question too

Solved

Allan Jones

Level 8 (35,321 points)

iPad

A:

Please see this article:

Runaway applications can shorten battery runtime, affect performance, and increase heat and fan activity - Apple Support

The article has not been updated to reflect the procedure for OS10.9 and 10.10, but that only affected Step 3. In step 3, the "Show All Processes" option required has, in 10.9 and 10.10, been moved to Activity Monitor's View menu:

Posted on Mar 13, 2015 7:16 AM

Q: 2011 MBP fan is running a lot

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by my ginger,

my ginger Mar 13, 2015 7:28 AM in response to GentleLady
Level 4 (2,472 points)

Mar 13, 2015 7:28 AM in response to GentleLady

Do the Allen Jones post first . But it you have a runaway fan even on startup, you may need a SMC reset. Also check for dirt and dust around the rear vent. If there clean it but not with compressed air as that will blow it back inside.I use a vac.https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295
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by GentleLady,

GentleLady Mar 13, 2015 12:10 PM in response to Allan Jones
Level 1 (109 points)

Mac OS X

Mar 13, 2015 12:10 PM in response to Allan Jones

Hi Allan, Thanks for your swift reply. Based on the link you gave me I checked my activity monitor and found that Mail was using over 70% of my CPU. I quit mail. Then went ahead and updated to Yosemite to 10.10.2. When everything was all in order, Mail was using only 2% of my CPU. And the fan was off and has not come back on.
You guys are so great! Whenever I come to Apple discussions with a problem, I get a reply from someone within 5 minutes. Do you just sit at your computer and wait for the questions to come in?? This is what makes the Apple experience so wonderful! Im always a few clicks away from answers to my issues. Even though I didn't have to use my ginger's response I appreciate the help.
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Accepted Answer · Mar 13, 2015 7:16 AM

Allan Jones

Level 8 (35,321 points)

iPad

Mar 13, 2015 7:16 AM in response to GentleLady

Please see this article:

Runaway applications can shorten battery runtime, affect performance, and increase heat and fan activity - Apple Support

The article has not been updated to reflect the procedure for OS10.9 and 10.10, but that only affected Step 3. In step 3, the "Show All Processes" option required has, in 10.9 and 10.10, been moved to Activity Monitor's View menu:

Q: 2011 MBP fan is running a lot

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by Allan Jones,Solvedanswer

by my ginger,

by GentleLady,

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