A program for checking a cooler on a MacBook. Save the Mac from the heat. Kill unnecessary or rapidly growing background processes
As powerful as your Mac is, one day it will start to slow down wildly. This will be associated with overheating, crooked software, clogged disk, errors and just discharge.
Make sure your Mac isn't overheating
Since I live close to the sea and often literally work on the beach, I face my MacBook very often overheating.
Without add. software, you can determine overheating in two ways:
- tactile - the device body will be too hot
- by sound - the fans inside the computer will run at maximum and generate noise
But it's better to use a small free Macs Fan Control utility. It shows the temperature of the battery, processor, graphics chip, and other Mac components, and lets you manually control the fan speed of your computer.
If these values \u200b\u200band the overall ambient temperature are not within guidelines, your Mac will use throttling... It will lower the clock speed of the processor and other components to achieve the normal number of ° C.
- Use your Mac in temperatures between 10 ° C and 35 ° C (humidity 0-95%)
- CPU and GPU temperature must not exceed 95 ° C
- HDD should not heat above 50 ° C, SSD - 70 ° C
Ideally, the temperature should never reach critical values.
To do this, try to use your Mac on flat surfaces that do not interfere with cooling, move it out of direct sunlight, do not place anything on the MacBook keyboard, do not block the ventilation holes, and use only Apple branded power adapters.
Macs can also get clogged with dust. For normal cleaning, it is better to contact a specialist, and a special screwdriver from AliExpress for 270 rubles, a vacuum cleaner and a little patience will help you to do it yourself.
Disassemble the processes in the "System Monitor"
If everything is in order with the temperature, understand the processes in the "System Monitor" application.
Here you are interested in two tabs: "CPU" and "Memory". The first shows the load of the processor by applications, and the second shows the RAM. Sort software by "% CPU" and "Memory" to immediately see and understand the most difficult programs.
Today it is more relevant than ever. For example, recently a miner application appeared in the Mac App Store, which quietly used computer resources for mining Monero cryptocurrency and loaded the processor by 200%.
But common software often behaves incorrectly. For example, lately Chrome has been regularly pushing my MacBook's processor to the limit with just a couple of tabs and almost no extensions, so I finally switched to Safari.
I propose to get rid of any crooked software that does not know how to properly use system resources. Glitch is the lot of Windows programs.
If you notice that the service is heavily loading the processor mdworker, you need optimize Spotlight indexing.
To do this, go to System Preferences\u003e Spotlight, remove useless information from the Search Results tab, and drag folders with a large number of small files that you do not plan to search on to the Privacy tab.
Remove unnecessary software, clean up startup
First of all, remove all useless software from the Applications directory in Finder.
It not only takes up disk space, but also uses other Mac resources by hanging in the background.
For example, I am actively trying new apps for macOS, so I clean this directory at least once a week. I remove from here not only what I didn't like, but also the software that I don't use.
Secondly, sort out the startup software at the start of the system, which is hidden in "System settings"\u003e "Users and groups"\u003e "Login objects".
All applications that run in the background consume some of the CPU and RAM resources. Some of them you may need (for example, clouds like Dropbox), while others are useless (for example, the Transmission torrent client).
Wipe useless from disk, delete cache
If the hard disk of your computer is 90% or more busy, macOS may not have enough space for the normal operation of the built-in system capabilities and additional. applications. Therefore, it will start to slow down.
To check this, go to About This Mac\u003e Storage.
Free less than 10%? Go to the "Manage" section. Here you can clearly see what and how much it takes. First go through the recommendations for cleaning the disk, and then move on to the rest of the sections: "Documents", "Programs", iCloud Drive.
Check disk for errors, update system
Macovods are divided into two types: some do not update macOS and are guided by the principle "It works, do not touch", others put all system updates in the hope of fixing bugs and glitches.
Don't forget to check for disk errors as well. They appear randomly during installation of applications and OS updates.
Just open "Disk Utility", select your system drive and click on the "First Aid" button. The Mac will check itself for errors and try to fix them.
Just plug your MacBook into a charger
When the MacBook battery discharges below 5%, macOS turns on emergency power saving mode and the computer starts to run very slowly. Plug it into the charger and it will go.
If you have a laptop from Apple, especially a modern model, then you are probably surprised by how thin computers have become. Despite this, the inside of the Mac still has a cooling system for the CPU and GPU.
By default, Apple's cooling system is as quiet as possible, but there are some drawbacks to this. Thin devices like the MacBook Pro are very prone to overheating due to their compact size. You can really feel it when you put the laptop on your lap.
Overheating of the device is harmful for several reasons:
- You burn yourself if you hold the laptop in your lap.
- CPU and GPU deteriorate faster.
- Processor performance drops.
Fortunately, you can fix the problem by manually setting the fan speed through the free third-party Macs Fan Control software. With its help, you can make the cooling of your device much more efficient.
how install speed cooling Mac
When you first launch Macs Fan Control, you will notice the cooler speed control panel as well as the real-time temperature.
The default Mac fan speed is between 2000 and 2100 RPM, which is very good. However, this may still not be enough.
Click the button Custom… to enter your number of revolutions.
You can change the cooling speed of the CPU and GPU separately.
When you close the program, it will appear in the device menu, from where you can always easily access it.
Apple computers are great for all kinds of multimedia applications, and they work great most of the time. However, sometimes problems arise. One of the most common problems you may encounter on a Mac while working with media is overheating. Fortunately, this problem is usually easy to fix!
Overheating has many symptoms. The most obvious signs are that the aluminum case of the Mac gets hot to the touch, and the fans rotate noisily at maximum speed. In extreme cases, the Mac might even shut down halfway due to heavy workloads.
Before starting your Mac again, there are some simple fixes to try. Let's take a look at them.
MacBook or Mac?
After using the MacBook for several months, it is quite normal that it collects a little dust. It's just the result of being thrown into backpacks, used in dusty libraries, taken outside, and, if you're like me, usually just worked in places where no one in their mind could take their computer. When you load your Mac under heavy work, such as editing video, exporting RAW images, or creating complex animations, dust can prevent it from cooling properly.
On the other hand, if your iMac, Mac Mini, or Mac Pro overheats, something serious might be wrong. While they collect dust as well (even more if you have furry pets), it shouldn't be anywhere near your MacBook. They have improved ventilation and do not need to be taken to strange places. The iMac, even under heavy load, shouldn't overheat at all.
With that said, whether you're using a MacBook or Mac, the tips in this guide will help you tackle some common causes of overheating.
Check the surface you place it on
The first step is to check the surface on which the Mac is placed. On all recent MacBooks, the fan outlets are located under the hinge of the screen and along the underside of the edges. Placing your Mac on a soft surface, such as a blanket on your bed, can block cold air from entering and hot air coming out. If you boot your Mac hard, it can start to overheat. Don't edit videos in bed!
Don't edit your video like this! The exits are partially blocked by a blanket.
Instead, when you're performing CPU-intensive tasks on your MacBook, make sure it's on a solid surface, such as a desk surface with enough space between the screen and what's behind it. This allows the MacBook's vents to do their job.
A work surface also matters to Macs, albeit in a different way. Dust collects low at the base and in the corners. Essentially, under a desk, this is the worst place you can put a computer. Fans have no place to work, and when they work, they just suck in all the dust that is there.
Ideally, it's a good idea to place your Mac on a solid desk with plenty of air space. This isn't a big deal on the iMac because the computer is integrated into the screen, but it's important for the Mac Pro and Mac Mini.
Kill unnecessary or rapidly growing background processes
When you use a Mac, there is a lot going on in the background. Updates can be downloaded, photo libraries can be synced, backup can be started, and the like. In most cases, this is not a problem because the Mac has a lot of processing power. However, if you need every CPU revolution you can squeeze out, it's time to kill unnecessary background processes. Too many processes running can cause your Mac to overheat.
Otherwise, background processes can affect the Mac if they crash. An abnormally terminated background process can lead to CPU usage. If you kill him, your Mac should be back to normal.
To check what's going on in the background, open System monitoring... You can find it at Applications\u003e Utilities.
All my Mac's processes sorted by CPU.Click the tab CPUand then by column header CPUto sort all running processes by CPU usage. If someone uses an insane amount, say 120%, and this is not Lightroom or Premiere, then the process probably "fell".
Unwanted background processes will not be at the top, most likely they are taking up 10% to 30% of the CPU power.
Completion of a process I don't need.Regardless of why you need to remove the background process, the approach is the same. Select the process and click the black X button in the upper left corner. A confirmation dialog will appear, so click Complete, or, if the process terminated with an error, force it to terminate - Force terminate.
Cleaning the ventilation holes
We've dealt with two simple problems, it's time to solve the problem of dust formation in the fans. You will need to buy a can of compressed air. They are sold at any hardware or office supply store.
Start by holding a can of compressed air about six inches (15 cm) from the Mac vents and gently blowing it out. Move from left to right, top to bottom and be sure to cut both vents. You should see the dust blown away.
Mac vents are located on the hinges of the screen, on the curved side.If dusting the vents didn't work, then you need to open your Mac and clean the internal fans with compressed air. This is a little more powerful and only possible with a MacBook.
If you are confident enough to do this, grab a pentalobe P5 screwdriver (included in most computer repair kits) and remove the bottom plate from your MacBook. Be careful when unscrewing each screw. Use a can of compressed air carefully to clean dust from fans and vents. Hold the fans while you are blowing to prevent them from spinning too fast. Put the bottom plate back in place when finished.
If dust was a problem, it should now be removed.
Control the fans
One of the best ways to stop your Mac from overheating is to start cooling down more ahead of time. Macs only spin their fans quickly when they are under heavy load in order to run as quietly as possible. If you are comfortable with noise, you can use the fans more actively by keeping the entire computer at a lower temperature.
By default, there is no way to control Mac fans, so you need to use a third party application such as.
shows you the temperature of each component.In Macs Fan Control, you can see the temperatures of all major components. You can use this to create your own profile to increase the fan speed. You can also set a permanent value.
To control the fans, open and press the button Customopposite the fan you want to control. Enter a custom value or select a sensor value ( Sensor-based Value). Then you can select the component you want to use to detect the fan speed. I would recommend CPU (CPU) or GPU (GCP).
Creating your profile in.By increasing the fan speed early, everything on your Mac will stay cooler. This is to prevent them from heating up so much that they overheat.
Take it to the professionals
If all that didn't work, it's time to take the Mac to the pros.
Apple has a generally reliable customer service. If you can't prevent your Mac from overheating with the advice in this article, bring it to them and they'll provide a better diagnosis and possibly fix it.
Fair, not overpriced or understated. There should be prices on the Service website. Necessarily! without "asterisks", it is clear and detailed, where it is technically possible - the most accurate, final.
If spare parts are available, up to 85% of complex repairs can be completed in 1-2 days. Modular repairs take much less time. The website lists the approximate duration of any repair.
Warranty and liability
Any repairs must be guaranteed. Everything is described on the website and in the documents. The guarantee is self-confidence and respect for you. A 3-6 month warranty is good and sufficient. It is needed to check quality and hidden defects that cannot be detected immediately. You see honest and realistic terms (not 3 years), you can be sure that they will help you.
Half of the success in Apple repair is the quality and reliability of spare parts, so a good service works with suppliers directly, there are always several reliable channels and your own warehouse with proven spare parts for current models so that you do not have to waste time.
Free diagnostics
This is very important and has already become a good form for the service center. Diagnostics is the most difficult and important part of the repair, but you shouldn't pay a dime for it, even if you don't repair the device as a result.
Service repair and delivery
A good service values \u200b\u200byour time and therefore offers free shipping. And for the same reason, repairs are carried out only in the workshop of the service center: correctly and according to technology, it can only be done at a prepared place.
Convenient schedule
If the Service works for you, and not for itself, then it is always open! absolutely. The schedule should be convenient so that you can catch up before and after work Good service works both on weekends and on holidays. We are waiting for you and working on your devices every day: 9:00 - 21:00
The reputation of professionals consists of several points
Age and experience of the company
Reliable and experienced service has been known for a long time.
If a company has been on the market for many years, and it has managed to establish itself as an expert, people turn to it, write about it, and recommend it. We know what we are talking about, since 98% of incoming devices in the SC are being restored.
Other service centers trust us and transfer complex cases.
How many masters in directions
If you are always waiting for several engineers for each type of equipment, you can be sure:
1. there will be no queue (or it will be minimal) - your device will be taken over immediately.
2. You are handing over your Macbook to a Mac repair expert. He knows all the secrets of these devices
Technical literacy
If you ask a question, a specialist must answer it as accurately as possible.
So that you have an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat exactly you need.
They will try to solve the problem. In most cases, the description tells you what happened and how to fix the problem.
Apple believes that silence is more important than overheating and performance. Therefore, almost all MacBooks and iMacs quickly overheat and begin to throttle - reset the processor frequency so as not to overheat.
There are two reasons for overheating: poor thermal interface between the processor and heatsink, as well as aggressive preset of fan speed, which keep the minimum speed until the last.
The utility settings are extremely simple. We create the necessary profiles with the desired temperature, and then "tie" them to certain actions (the laptop gets infected, runs on AC or battery power).
When operating on mains and battery, the fans rotate at 3000 rpm
The fan speed preset can be selected directly from the top menu. It also shows the current rotation speed and temperature of the processor.
My MacBook Air has three profiles configured:
- Default - standard profile, fan speed is regulated by macOS;
- 3000 - fan speed 3000 rpm. This preset is always on. Optimal ratio between noise and processor temperature;
- 4000 - a little noisier. I use it when my MacBook is connected to an external monitor and is far from me.
It's funny that when the speed is controlled by macOS, the fan only picks up 3000 rpm when the processor temperature approaches 99 ° C.
To determine the temperature at maximum load. Here are the results:
When I fix the fan speed at 3000, the maximum temperature dropped by 10 ° C If we talk about my MacBook, then, and after increasing the speed, another 10 ° C. I'd also like to note that with the new settings, the CPU temperature rise was noticeably slower. Not bad.
