Tag Archives: fans

Force-quit processes to fix a hot Mac with blaring fans

ActivityMonitorIconXYour MacBook has limited battery life, so what do you do when your system’s fans suddenly crank on at full tilt, and you notice that your system is getting hotter and hotter to the touch? Generally this happens when you are in the middle of your work where you have a number of programs and windows open. You may also see the battery life remaining on your system drop to an hour or two at most when you expected to have quite a few more. In addition to a hot system, you may also notice slowdowns with other tasks you attempt to perform, though this will depend on the task and might not always be the case. Continue reading

Radical fix: Drill holes in your Mac to make it run cooler

MacBookProIconXMacBook systems have a notorious reputation for running hot when put under heavy load, which can make them uncomfortable to handle. This is especially true with older MacBook Pro systems from 2009-2011, where in comparison to the latest models that have vents along the side, the lack of vents causes them to run hotter and have internal fans work harder to pump air over the system’s heat-sinks. If you are sick of your Mac getting too hot, then one effective approach you can take is to open it up an drill yourself some new vent holes. Continue reading

When and how to reset your Mac’s SMC

FirmwareUpdateIconXThe System Management Controller, or SMC, is a controller in your Mac that is responsible for handling a number of power- and controls-related features of your computer. In general, the lights, buttons, charging, fans, and optional display modes are all examples of items that rely on the SMC for proper behavior. Continue reading