Have you been noticing that annoying whirring sound in your MacBook? Especially when you are doing some important tasks? Well, there must be some internal issue going on causing your MacBook to overheat and its fan to overwork.
A soft spinning sound is not a problem unless it gets abnormally loud. People encountering this issue often ask, ‘why is my MacBook fan so loud’.
After thorough research, we have come up with the following solutions to help you deal with the issue. Also, we have stated the possible reasons why it occurs so frequently.
Why is my MacBook fan so loud?
A loud sound does not always mean that your MacBook is having issues. It could be happening to keep your MacBook’s temperature cool. Laptops come with built-in fans on the inside to increase the airflow while in use.
The primary reason your MacBook fan is strangely loud is due to running high-end intensive applications or video games on the device. Such heavy applications require extra power to run and thereby cause your laptop to emit more heat. When the fan sensor of the MacBook notices that some intensive tasks are being performed on the device, it causes the fan to spin faster to prevent the system from getting extensively hot. So, whenever you find your MacBook’s fan working quicker and being louder than usual, know that you are either editing your holiday movie on HD video editors or playing League of Legends
However, if you are not running heavy applications and still facing the same issue, check out the methods below to resolve the problem before heading to Apple Support.
How to fix the fast spinning and loudness of MacBook fans?
Below we have mentioned six proven methods to deal with the fast-spinning and loudness of your MacBook’s fan. Just don’t neglect the fan noise, as it could signify that your laptop is overheating. Go through the methods carefully to fix such issues.
Ensure Proper Air Circulation and Venting
Whenever you encounter weird fan noise in your MacBook, just make sure there is proper airflow around the machine. Most of the time, the noise occurs when your system is unable to cool down its temperature and thereby, the fan starts to work faster.
If you have been using your MacBook on your lap or bed, you are probably blocking the air to pass through and causing the system to heat up. When the system remains heated, the fan also continues to work in order to keep the system’s temperature low.
How to Fix it?
The easiest solution is to shut down your laptop and let it rest for a few minutes. Once it cools, you can restart to check if the issue has been resolved. However, if the problem persists even after that, consider buying a laptop stand or cooling pads for better air circulation.
Moreover, you can also perform a deep cleaning to ensure no gunk is accumulated around the air vents, as it could become the reason for poor air circulation around the machine.
Regulate the MacBook’s Fan Speed
As already discussed, fans inside the laptops are crucial to keep the machines inside temperature low. When a non-gaming laptop attempts to run several demanding processes simultaneously, its chips, hard drive, and video cards begin to heat up.
However, you can regulate the fan’s speed to prevent the internal components from heating.
When the laptop’s fan starts working faster and longer, it loses control and makes weird noises.
How to Fix it?
Manually adjusting the Mac fan can resolve this issue. Bear in mind that you only tweak the thermal settings when your Mac fan is not functioning properly.
Look for Hidden Programs in the Background
There might be some hidden applications and programs running in the background draining your CPU, in case you wonder why you still have issues with your MacBook when you barely run any heavy applications on it.
How to fix it?
Head to Spotlight and type Activity Monitor to check if you have any background apps eating up your CPU. After doing so, open the CPU tab and search for the apps consuming large chunks of your laptop’s battery. Once done, close the apps consuming power the most.
Close intensive Apps
Heavy programs like creative software, graphic-intensive games, video editing apps take extra power as your laptop has to employ its fan continuously to keep all the internal components cool. Not just that, opening multiple taps simultaneously can send your laptop’s fan into a frenzy.
How to Fix it?
First of all, you must cut down on multitasking and close all the unnecessary heavy apps for a while. Then follow the steps below to prevent your laptop from heating if you have to run those intensive apps daily anyway.
- Only keep the apps open you are currently working on and close all necessary heavy applications running in the background.
- Turn down frame rates and processing speeds as required.
- Take all necessary measures to optimize your MacBook. For instance, buy a good quality cooling pad or use your device in a temperature-controlled room.
If nothing works, you might need to get RAM for your MacBook to run those demanding applications.
Clear up Memory
It might sound irrelevant, but your MacBook requires free memory to work with its full potential. Make sure you timely clear up your memory by removing all the junk to optimize your device’s performance. Also, you can try defragmenting apps – software designed to clean broken and unused files.
Check your MacBook’s Adaptor
Sometimes the heating problem occurs when you don’t use Apple’s original adaptor. Apple recommends using genuine accessories with its devices and connecting the charger first with the laptop and then into the switchboard.
Check for Software Updates
Apple constantly works to introduce new software to improve its system’s efficiency. For the sake of the system’s smooth performance, it is necessary to keep your gadgets updated at all times. A mere software update is likely to fix the MacBook’s loud fan issues. Here’s how you can check for your MacBook’s software updates.
- Head to System Preferences in Software Updates.
- Select the ‘Update Now’ option
- Follow the on-screen instructions
You may notice a loud spinning sound from the fan during the software update. It is completely normal. It will stop once the software is updated.
Run Apple Diagnostics to examine the Fan’s Hardware
Often, MacBook’s fan makes a strange noise when it is physically damaged due to heat or a mechanical issue. In such cases, cross-check with your MacBook’s built-in hardware testing tool, Apple Diagnostics. Before running the tool, make sure you have disconnected your MacBook from all the external devices.
How to perform Apple Hardware Test?
Follow the step below to run Apple diagnostics.
- Disconnect your laptop with all external devices like speakers, keyboard display, and mouse.
- Head to the menu and select ‘Restart.’
- Press and leave the “D” key on the keyboard as your MacBook reboots. Stop pressing the key once a list of languages appears before you.
- Find and select your language and let the diagnostics run automatically.
- Once it’s done, a list of all the troubleshoot problems will appear before you.
What to do if you still face the same issue?
After trying all the above-stated troubleshooting tips, your MacBook might have a serious malfunction if the problem persists. We recommend visiting Apple service providers to get your laptop checked for such cases.
How can you stop your MacBook’s fan?
If a MacBook fan has gone haywire, then you should consider downloading Macs Fan Control on your device. It is a free tool that allows you to control your laptop’s cooling system. It works on both, MacBook Pro and Air and
Moreover, the software allows you to control the RPM value and speed of the fan so that it doesn’t kick in until it’s needed.
How to Monitor your MacBook’s temperature?
To monitor your MacBook’s temperature, download an app called Temperature Gauge Pro – also known as TGPro, on your device. It will cost you somewhere around $20 if you get it directly from the developers. The app will help you to keep your laptop’s temperature in check.
However, if you don’t want to go for paid software, you can also opt for a copy of iStat Pro. It might not be as efficient as the paid ones but you will still get basic features like reporting and regulations.
Via Temperature Control Pro, you can manually control the internal temperature of your MacBook. While the digits may sound higher, a range of 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for MacBooks.
When should you be concerned?
If the internal temperature of your MacBook is warmer than usual or if the fan appears to spin up without any reason, then something is not right there. There could be some REALLY serious issues with your laptop.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide has answered your ‘why is my MacBook fan so loud’ concern. Also, don’t forget to download the temperature controlling and monitoring apps to keep your MacBook’s internal temperature in check.