HT204463: iMac: Fans run at full speed after computer turns on

Learn about iMac: Fans run at full speed after computer turns on
JBrussels85
Level 1 (8 points)
Desktops

Q: Fan always going at full speed

Hello all!

 

Since a few weeks, when I start up my MacBook Pro (from 2011), the fan immediately starts running at full speed. Everything else works fine, but it is more than a little annoying (noisy and it drains the battery...)

 

I tried the solution described in the article: to reset the SMC. I'm not very computer-savvy, but I followed the instructions and I think I did it right (shut down, shift+ctrl+option + on/off-button, start up). Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to have done the trick... Fan still running like it wants to be a helicopter when it grows up :-)

 

Is there anything else I can try?

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1), 13 inch, 2011

Posted on Jul 29, 2016 12:24 AM

by Mike Sombrio,Solvedanswer
Mike Sombrio Mike Sombrio
Level 6 (17,233 points)
Apple Watch
A:

Sometimes an Application can cause fans to rev up, check your login items for any apps loading at startup and remove them, of there's no change you can re add them later.

You should try resetting the SMC again, do it two or three times and make sure the Magsafe adapter is plugged in. If the fan continues you might have a hardware problem, try running the Apple Hardware Test to see if it reports an error Using Apple Hardware Test - Apple Support If  your computer originally shipped with install discs you'll meed disc two of the original gray install set to run AHT, insert it and restart while holding the D key. Run AHT two or three times in extended mode or until it reports a problem.

Posted on Jul 29, 2016 5:25 AM

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JBrussels85

Q: Fan always going at full speed

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Mike Sombrio,Solvedanswer

    Mike Sombrio Mike Sombrio Jul 29, 2016 5:25 AM in response to JBrussels85
    Level 6 (17,233 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 29, 2016 5:25 AM in response to JBrussels85

    Sometimes an Application can cause fans to rev up, check your login items for any apps loading at startup and remove them, of there's no change you can re add them later.

    You should try resetting the SMC again, do it two or three times and make sure the Magsafe adapter is plugged in. If the fan continues you might have a hardware problem, try running the Apple Hardware Test to see if it reports an error Using Apple Hardware Test - Apple Support If  your computer originally shipped with install discs you'll meed disc two of the original gray install set to run AHT, insert it and restart while holding the D key. Run AHT two or three times in extended mode or until it reports a problem.

  • by JBrussels85,

    JBrussels85 JBrussels85 Jul 29, 2016 5:26 AM in response to Mike Sombrio
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 29, 2016 5:26 AM in response to Mike Sombrio

    Thank you very much! I removed the startup items and that did the trick!

  • by Mike Sombrio,

    Mike Sombrio Mike Sombrio Jul 29, 2016 5:38 AM in response to JBrussels85
    Level 6 (17,233 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 29, 2016 5:38 AM in response to JBrussels85

    You're welcome! Was there one item in particular that you can point to that caused the problem?

  • by JBrussels85,

    JBrussels85 JBrussels85 Jul 30, 2016 8:06 AM in response to Mike Sombrio
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 30, 2016 8:06 AM in response to Mike Sombrio

    Hard to say... I removed them all at once, so I can't pinpoint the exact application that caused the problem...

     

    There were four login items:

    • Spotify
    • Dropbox
    • iTunesHelper
    • MobileCloud (now OrangeCloud... it's a kind of dropbox, but with more storage, that I get with my mobile data package)

     

    If I have to guess, I would say the problem was caused by the last one. It's the latest addition and I thought I had removed the software a couple of weeks ago, but apparently it wasn't all gone...

     

    Once again thank you!