Macbook Pro 2018 overheating, and other strange problems

I also have this problem with my 13" MacBook Pro 2018 with Touch Bar. I have taken it to the Genius Bar and was told there were no hardware issues found.

On a fresh install my MacBook runs very hot and crashes when I'm simply watching a lecture and taking notes in One Note. I couldn't find a temperature monitor from Apple, however iStats Menu tells me I'm running at 160 F. I only use my MacBook case-free and have the display on very low, to avoid excessive heat. Please help.

Thanks for the detailed response. I have the same problem with my new 2018 15 inch i7. Macbook is getting over heated even with a regular day to day activity. I can observe this heat issue even with the 20 - 30% CPU utilization’s. It’s very difficult to have it on your lap. I have the latest version of operating system which did not solve the issue. Another annoying point is in 1 hours it drained almost 50% of my battery. I am not sure it’s relates to the heat build up. I am very much surprised to see that with the same load my other thinkpad laptop is working perfectly fine which is way almost less than $1000 than this. Apple you definitely need to resolve this issue.

Same issue here.

I spent four...thousand...dollars....on this MBP! Fans are always blasting under minimal load. CPU never reaches 10%. I've uninstalled nearly all other software to see if something has been running under the hood somewhere causing this. Activity monitor never shows anything hogging resources anywhere. The only time fans are not blasting away is when I close everything and look at a blank screen. I'm about to return this and stick with my 2015 MBP. PLEASE FIX APPLE!!!

I've had the same issues with my 2nd MBP. Got a 2018 MBP 15 inch, beginning of September...1 TB, 32 GB RAM, 2.9 i9. Got SUPER HOT & burned my legs!!!! Plus,the Fan WOULDN't STOP running & the Battery....UGH!!!! Depleted faster than my puppy would eat her food! Then the fan made a loud weird noise & luckily I recorded the noise as my iPhone was next to me. Only 2 weeks in, I made an appt. I couldn't replicate the problem at Apple Store(of course). So, luckily I showed them the video. Since it was custom build, I had to wait 2 more weeks. Now I have the new 2018 MBP. Same specs. Still have same problems. I'm a photographer & use PhotoShop & Lightroom all of the time. Frustration is everyday. I miss my MacBook Air as well. I NEVER had problems with the 2 Airs that we own. Really torn with what to do. Debating on going back to Apple & getting a new one, but w/o the i9 processor. We are a family of 5 with iPads, mini iPad's, I phones, MacBook Airs, & now MBP, plus College kiddo has a MBP. I would like to know if this overheating/battery life/fan issue will be resolved or if the $4,500 investment is another lemon.

This is a silly argument. Firstly, where does Apple say it's NOT a laptop? Nowhere. Second, you're actually proving my point, but let me dumb it down for you: Apple acknowledges that the MBP can and will be used on the lap, hence the warning for "prolonged" usage there. They don't say "don't use it there", they just say don't use it there for a long period of time. What you're trying to point out is merely a subjective conclusion based on zero fact. Third, tons of major outlets refer to the MBP as a laptop. CNET, The Verge, MacWorld, Quora, etc etc...the list goes on and on. I guess they're all wrong too, so you should contact them, what a travesty!

Also, your attempt at answering jbk224bamacophile was not helpful at all to him/her, incomplete and not based on any data. "modern opperating systems use all available RAM to increase speed and efficiency." ALL available?? I can't speak for everyones usage, but mine. Given the fact that I can transfer photos, simultaniously play a big project in Logic Pro while surfing via Safari and have three other apps running in the background with a grand total of 38% memory being used while loading my CPU at 29.8% peak (iStat numbers) tells me and many others that the newer MBP's have a serious issue with overheating under an average (at best) load. All the while, my 2018 MBP is elevated 1" off of a hard surface and running at 162 deg F in a room at a temperature of 72 deg F. It's as well ventilated as it can possibly be without housing it in a freezer as I use it.

Your points are simply rhetorical, subjective and opinion based.

Actually, it is...just not "prolonged" use. From Apples handling recommendations: "Use common sense to avoid situations where your skin is in prolonged contact with a device or its power adapter when it’s operating or plugged into a power source." https://help.apple.com/macbookprothunderbolt3/late-2018/#/apd9b8f7aa11

Sad to read these posts on overheating of the MBP. I am in desprite need of replacing my current 2008 which also has an over heating issue that started out of the box. Come on Apple — this has been a problem for MBP for a very long time. Figure it out.

It is time for a new computer. 2008 is not only a little old.,It is obsolete and/or vintage.

Vintage and obsolete products - Apple Support

If you think it is malfunctioning while under warranty, then make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple. Also, see How to find your nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) or Distributor (AAD).

"Your Apple-branded or Beats-branded hardware product (“Product”) is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE (1) YEAR from the date of original retail purchase (“Warranty Period”) when used in accordance with Apple`s user manuals (refer to www.apple.com/support/country). Under this warranty, you will be able to direct your claims to Apple even in situations where you purchased the Apple Product from a third party.” [Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty – Accessory - For Apple and Beats Branded Products Only.]

Hi all, me again

I already posted on this forum stating that I have the same issue with my MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 16 GB 2133 MHz LPDDR3

I have notice that MACBOOK PRO starts heating when:

1. I start a videoconferencing using GoToMeeting or Google Hangout.
2. Using Lightroom and exporting RAW pics to JPEG format (CPU temperature is up 100 celsius degrees)

Anybody knows how to scale this to apple?...

I feel the same way. I called tech support Several different times. Responses:

1. my 2018 15” MacBook Pro is not meant to be used on your lap.

1. This is normal behavior
2. people want thin computers and no fans can cool this thin of a computer
3. Go buy a cooling mat w th fans.

Why would I need to buy a cooling fan mat to carry around with my brand new MacBook Pro?? Not to mention it is USB powered. So much for portability. Btw he told me exactly what to look for on Amazon.

Hi DPJ, thank you for your reply.

1. No Chrome unless I have to test a website. I am a web developer and I use Safari for Wordpress. But I do use Chrome occasionally to test a webpage.
2. I will check the activity monitor to find out which app is using high resources.

I do watch video and I have the MacBook Pro connected to an external display for this. Not sure if this contributes to high heat as I'm mirroring the display. But I normally turn off the display for this.

If all else fails, I'll try the PRAM reset you suggested. Thank you.

Your Safari and Chrome are very high in CPU usage. Chrome itself is very bad in terms of being a CPU hog. My Safari is only 6.47 and I have 6 tabs open. Obviously the sites you're visiting with Safari are causing a heavy CPU load. See my screenshot. But again 60 degrees celsius is normal.

Thank you for posting your issue. I'm on my 2nd MacBook Pro 13-inch and the overheating issues persist. I returned my first one due to excessive overheating and some popping noises. This new one has not had the popping issues but gets very hot quickly. I hope there is a solution to this!

I don't think there will be a solution until apple goes away from intel chips or adds some real cooling fans. I have the 15" pro i7 and gets hot but since i use it as a desktop (just connected to 2 monitors) it doesn't matter. I do need another laptop for travel so now i will upgrade my old Mac Air with the new one, since I am hoping the new Air does not heat up like either of the 13" or 15" pros. oh well...

I’m glad I read this thread before buying a MacBook Pro 13. Is this unique to the quad-core version or does it also affect the dual-core as well? Has Apple responded meaningfully yet? I see over 40 “me too” comments on this problem. Would love to know if I should go buy a Razer Blade Stealth 13 instead if there continues to be a heat issue with the MBP.