Keeping your cool with these temperatures is a challenge, so your MacBook is already having a hard time. We give eight tips to keep your Mac cool and prevent problems.
Is your MacBook warm? You can do this
It is not surprising that your MacBook gets warm with this heat, but fortunately you can do a few things to keep your device cooler. These quick tips will help keep your Mac from overheating.
1. Provide a cool workplace out of the sun
The first tip may be obvious, but you can avoid a lot of trouble if you always keep your Mac out of the sun. This naturally applies if you sit outside, but also if you work indoors. Always try to keep your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air out of the sun – hopefully you can avoid having to follow the steps below.
2. Use as standard (with fan)
You can lend your MacBook a hand by removing it from your table and placing it on a stand. Of course, it is important which standard you choose: always make sure that the bottom remains as free as possible, so that the Mac can also lose its heat there. In addition, there are special stands with a built-in fan. By connecting it to a USB port, a small prop under your MacBook provides extra cooling.
3. Pay attention to the brightness of your screen and keyboard
An iMac or MacBook can heat up very quickly if you use the maximum brightness of your screen and keyboard lighting. It can therefore help to switch off the backlight of your keyboard completely and to set the brightness of your screen as low as possible.
That might make it a little less readable, but after a few minutes you will notice that your Mac’s temperature will start to drop. Especially when you are in the sun, your Mac will often choose the maximum due to automatic brightness to keep the screen readable. Good to keep an eye on.
4. Close as many programs as possible
Like us, your Mac gets warmer when it’s busy. Therefore, be a bit stricter on the programs you allow to be active. Limit the number of tabs in your browser (especially if you use Google Chrome) and close apps like Slack and Spotify completely if you do not need them (for a while).
Especially if you are going to make video calls, we recommend that you close as many other programs as possible. That way, your MacBook will get less hot and the other tips in this article will work even better.
5. Open the cover when using external screen
Do you have your Mac on an external screen? Then your Mac can heat up quickly if you keep the lid of the device closed. Instead, choose to only display the screen on your external screen, but leave the lid of your MacBook open in the meantime. For example, the fan under the hinge has more space to blow warm air out of your MacBook.
6. Give the fans space
There are also several openings on the sides of your MacBook where warm air can escape. So always be careful not to accidentally cover it or put things nearby that prevent the air from escaping. This is also a good reason to see if you can place your Mac on a stand or, if necessary, a stack of books or boxes.
7. Clean your MacBook
Do you have an older MacBook and never cleaned it? Then a high temperature can also be caused by dust in your Mac, which prevents the flow of cool air. However, cleaning a MacBook is quite a job and not very easy. We therefore recommend that you do not just do this yourself and that you first read up carefully or call in an expert. Plus, we’d try all the other tips first before screwing up your MacBook.
8. Give your Mac a break
Do you notice that your MacBook is really getting too hot? Then it is sometimes best to turn it off and put it away for 15 minutes. Of course, make sure that you place it in a cool place out of the sun. Again, we recommend leaving the lid of your MacBook open so that more air can reach it.
Are your other Apple devices also affected by the heat? Then check our tips to prevent an overheated iPhone and overheated Apple Watch.