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Level 1

19 points

MacBook Air Overheating

Okay, so recently I installed a 480 GB SSD into my computer, and now I am having an issue with the computer completely overheats after a random interval of time (15 min to like 4 hours, so it really depends), but my computer gets to a basically frozen state where I have to force shut down, and wait for half an hour for the computer to cool down. The weird thing is, I don't really hear the fans...

Possible Ideas I think might have that caused the issue:

1. Dirty/ Broken fan

2. Malware (Stupid Parallels Desktop)

So, what do you guys think it is? And how could I fix it?

MacBook Air (11-inch Mid 2012), OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Apr 15, 2015 7:08 PM

22 replies

Apr 26, 2015 7:14 PM in response to Lukcresdera

one more question.

what web browser are you using?

you might see if firefox works better ( lower temps) for the shows you are watching over safari.

wiifan Author

Level 1

19 points

Apr 26, 2015 9:26 PM in response to Lukcresdera

I use Firefox when I'm streaming from a site that requires a cable subscription (Watch ABC), but mostly I use Chrome. Thanks for your help with all of this, I will try to use these tips in the future (or just watch the videos on my laptop without the TV, it stays around 150-160º F without that.) Also, it's shocking you are only at 35 points. You're one helpful dude! 🙂

wiifan Author

Level 1

19 points

May 2, 2015 5:25 PM in response to wiifan

I have one more quick question for you: if I downloaded an app to control the fan speed, what is a safe speed the wouldn't harm the computer? (The default is 2000, and it can end up with my computer reaching temperatures of 180º on the dye, so...)

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

May 3, 2015 4:01 AM in response to wiifan

The fan control applications do not allow you to decrease the speed, only increase it. Therefore they can only have a positive affect on heat dissipation but it will put extra wear on the fan(s). Top what degree, I cannot say with authority.

Ciao.

May 3, 2015 9:16 AM in response to wiifan

If I am doing something intensive that I know is going to cause a lot of heat generation by the processors for a period of time, I will increase the fan speed to lower the temperature from you 180 to 160 degrees. I seek a balance turning the fan speed up to about 4000 rpm so it is not so noisy and does not use as much current when set a maximum fan speed. I think Apple uses fairly robust fans in their laptops. My old white MacBook with a single core intel processor, would often be running its fan an its maximum when I used it at work driving a larger monitor. The plastic white case would heat up to be hot to the touch. I don't use it much any more since I got my MacbookAir a few years ago, but many years later its still works and the fan can still cool down the processor. Mr. Ogelthorpe is correct that increasing fan speed, regardless of the reason, will increase wear on the fan. Note that fans can go bad for whatever reason. That is why it is smart to watch the temperatures in a laptop. If you note excessive heat at near idle processors, one may expect the fan to be bad and replace it before something more important goes wrong due to excessive heat. I often can't hear the fan in my MacBookAir so I sometimes increase the fan speed to be sure its working.

wiifan Author

Level 1

19 points

May 11, 2015 7:50 PM in response to Lukcresdera

Just an FYI for anyone who helped me solve this problem, I believe my Mac had malware because after I ran a malware scanner, my computer can play 2 hours of Portal 2 WITH charging, so there was obviously a MASSIVE speed/stability boost after I ran the scanner (even though it said no malware detected...). But anyway, thank you for all your help, and now I FINALLY HAVE A COMPUTER WITH AN ABILITY TO DO LIFE!

Feb 10, 2016 8:27 PM in response to wiifan

If you go to Console utility you might find the culprit. You might have to disable "system integrity protection" in El Cap. Mine was a location tracker utility that was constantly failing and respawning and overtaxing the system. Look for "launch.apple.xpc.launchd" and what comes after it.

MacBook Air Overheating