Why does MacBook fan keep running?
Is your MacBook fan always on? You're not the only Mac user to complain of this somewhat common issue.
These quick tips will help you bring your Mac fans back under control.
Why is my MacBook Pro fan always on?
Lots of things can cause our fans to spring into action, from warm environments to excessive amounts of open apps and even down to the age of our device and using your Mac on soft surfaces (like a pillow or a bed).
It's normal for our fans to come on from time to time. They're there for a reason, but if you find them on constantly making loud whirring noises, then work through the tips below.
How to stop MacBook fans from running constantly
Before we dive head first into the tips, check that your Mac is not clogged up with dust or debris; this can often cause our Macs to whirr. Check out Apple's cleaning guide here.
1. Reset your SMC
Sometimes, a quick SMC reset can solve overheating and fan issues, as it controls your device's thermal management.
For Macs with Apple silicon
Macs with Apple silicon do not have SMC, but a Mac restart or a shutdown for 30 seconds does the same thing as resetting SMC for an Intel-based Mac.
Just ensure your Mac is plugged into a power source and choose Restart from the main Apple menu. Alternatively, hit Shut Down and turn your Mac back on 30 seconds later.
For Intel-based Macs
Macs without a T2 security chip (to check, click Apple menu with the Option key pressed, choose System Information, click Controller, and and look next to Model Name):
- Shut your Mac down, then hold the below keys for 10 seconds:
left Shift - left Control - left Option - Power button - Release and turn on your Mac.
Macs with a T2 security chip
- Shut down your Mac and press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.
- Release the power button and restart your Mac. If the issue persists, proceed with the following steps. If it was eliminated, stop here.
- Shut down your Mac and press and hold the following keys on your Mac's built-in keyboard: left Control + left Option + right Shift.
- Keep holding them for 7 seconds and press and hold the power button for 7 more seconds.
- Turn on your Mac.
2. Free up RAM
If your Mac is running low on memory, then this could also be why your fans are working overtime. Free up some RAM quickly with an Apple notarized cleaning utility like CleanMyMac. Here's how:
- Open the app — get your free trial here.
- Click a little CleanMyMac icon in the menu bar and choose Memory > Free Up. Easy!
Also, check out the Protection tab to see if any malware has sneaked onto your Mac and is silently running in the background. The thing is that malware (like adware or hidden miners) can eat up resources and make your Mac's fans go crazy.
For a deeper scan, open the app and check out the Protection feature. Generally, we recommend scanning your Mac for malware regularly and also using the Menu App for monitoring your MacBook's health.
The benefits of using CleanMyMac
- On average, users find and remove 1 malware after the first scan
- A fast way to keep your Mac protected: on average, a Protection scan takes up 66 seconds and 5 more seconds to clean up privacy threats (malware, unneeded browser data, and recent items lists)
- Comes with an unlimited 7-day free trial — you can test all 25+ tools without purchasing the app
Get your free CleanMyMac trial — make your Mac work as good as new for years to come.
3. Quit unused apps and browser tabs
Apps running in the background and browser tabs eat up CPU and memory and may cause the fans to spin faster. Here are two extra fixes to use:
📌 Close all unneeded browser tabs (especially in Google Chrome or if you're streaming high-quality video in any browser). You can bookmark any tabs you think you might need in the future.
📌 Quit unnecessary apps (you can use Activity Monitor to detect top CPU and Memory consumers)
Now you know how to answer it when someone asks, "why does my Mac fan keep running?" Follow the steps above from time to time to prevent your Mac from overheating and your fans from spinning fast. Also, as a precaution, use your Mac on hard surfaces whenever possible to avoid blocking vents.