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What to Do When Your MacBook Overheats

MacBooks are powerful, sleek, and reliable machines — but like any computer, they can get hot under heavy workloads. If your MacBook feels uncomfortably warm or the fans are spinning loudly, it’s time to take action. Overheating not only affects performance but can also shorten the lifespan of your hardware.


In this guide, we'll explain why your MacBook overheats, how to monitor its internal sensors, and how to take control of the cooling system with Mac Monitorly.

Author 05
LMinh - 11 Sep 2025
Article 01

Why Does Your MacBook Overheat?

Common reasons include:

  • High CPU usage: Video editing, gaming, or running virtual machines.
  • Poor airflow: Using your MacBook on a bed, couch, or under direct sunlight.
  • Background processes: Apps consuming resources without you noticing.
  • Dust build-up: Blocking the fans and vents inside your MacBook.

Step 1: Monitor Your Mac’s Sensors

macOS doesn’t provide detailed temperature readings by default. That’s where Mac Monitorly comes in. With Mac Monitorly, you can:

  • View real-time temperature, voltage, and power usage from all available sensors.
  • Track per-core CPU usage with live graphs.
  • Highlight a key sensor on your dashboard (like CPU temperature) for quick monitoring.

This gives you the visibility you need to understand whether your MacBook is truly overheating or just warm from normal use.

Step 2: Set Up Overheat Alerts

One of the smartest ways to protect your MacBook is to get notified before it reaches dangerous temperatures. Mac Monitorly lets you:

  • Create overheat notifications linked to specific sensors.
  • Define thresholds so you’re alerted when your CPU or GPU gets too hot.
  • Stay ahead of problems without constantly watching your menu bar.

Step 3: Take Control of Your Mac’s Fans

Apple automatically manages fan speed, but sometimes you need more control — especially when your MacBook is working hard.

Mac Monitorly offers three fan control modes:

  • System Mode - Let macOS decide.
  • Manual Mode - Set exact fan speeds with presets (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%).
  • Auto Boost Mode - Automatically adjust fan speeds based on sensor values.

This means you can:

  • Keep your MacBook cooler during video editing or gaming.
  • Reduce fan noise during light tasks.
  • Avoid thermal throttling when performance matters most.

Step 4: Long-Term Habits to Keep Your Mac Cool

  • Place your MacBook on a flat, hard surface for better airflow.
  • Clean the vents regularly to avoid dust build-up.
  • Use energy-efficient settings when running on battery.
  • Close unnecessary background apps.

Conclusion

An overheating MacBook doesn’t have to slow you down. By monitoring your sensors, setting overheat alerts, and taking control of your fans, you can keep your MacBook cool and reliable.

Mac Monitorly makes this easy with a clean, Apple-native design that fits seamlessly into macOS. Whether you’re a casual user or a power user, it’s the all-in-one tool to protect your Mac.

Start Monitoring Your Mac