Why is my MacBook's fan running loudly and causing frequent crashes?

Thanks for the EtreCheck report. I'm not a macOS software expert, but I can get things started.

First, it appears you have AVG anti-virus installed on your computer, or maybe had? I've never seen AVG uninstallers lised in an EtreCheck before. This is very odd. You need to uninstall AVG completely. The best option is probably to boot into Safe Mode so you can try manually deleting the following AVG files:

~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.avg.antitrack.Uninstaller.plist

~/Library/Application\ Support/AVG\ AntiTrack/Uninstaller.app

~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.avg.breachguard.Uninstaller.plist

~/Library/Application\ Support/AVG\ BreachGuard/Uninstaller.app

~/Downloads/AVG\ AntiTrack.app

And delete the following item listed in the CleanUp section near the end of the EtreCheck report:

  /Library/LaunchAgents/com.logitech.manager.daemon.plist

Just in case I got this wrong, look in the following folders to make sure there are not files with "avg" in the name:

/Library/LaunchAgents

/Library/LaunchDaemons

~/Library/LaunchAgents

Also, turn off the real time protection in MalwareBytes at least while you troubleshoot the issue with your laptop. There is really no need to have MalwareBytes running all the time. If you suspect you have a malware or adware infection, then running a MalwareBytes scan manually is Ok and it is sufficient.

FYI, anti-virus software, cleaning/optimizer apps, and third party security software are not needed on a Mac. These types of apps usually cause more problems than they solve because the interfere with the normal operation of macOS. These types of apps are the source of the majority of system performance issues, fans running at high speed & high temps, and system crashes.

Unfortunately the Kernel Panic summaries shown in the EtreCheck report don't contain any useful details. Please post several of the full Kernel Panic logs so we can inspect them for more clues. Kernel Panic logs are located in the "/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports" folder with names containing "kernel" and/or "panic". If no Kernel Panic logs are there, then check the "Retired" subfolder. Post the Kernel Panic log here using the "Additional Text" icon which looks like a piece of paper on the forum editing toolbar.

I'll leave the other contributors to further evaluate the EtreCheck report for any other possible software issues.

there is a tragic flaw in your plan.

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Genius Bar technicians are NOT trained to read panic reports and computer logs. When you present your computer at the Genius Bar with the expectation of a quote to repair it, you must generally meet these criteria:

• your Mac won't do anything

• your Mac fails diagnostics

• your Mac has a problem you can repeatably demonstrate on demand

one other oddball case:

• Apple online support has DIRECTED a Service Provider to replace specific components inside your Mac, such as the mainboard or display. Bring proof, such as case number.

The telephone support people are more likely to work with you. They will insist that you go through the motions to eliminate software issues. But when they get to the end of their list, you should insist on having your problem escalated to a specialist. Specialists are more likely to actually read your panic reports, and to agree this is a problem and DIRECT an Apple service provider to swap things (likely mainboard) for a new one.

Apple support does appreciate what we do as Volunteers here on the forums. They can and should read what has already been posted. Be sure to tell them where they can read it. But they do NOT take our conclusions at face value -- they have their own more rigorous procedures they follow.

You MUST have a Trusted backup before submitting your Mac for service. if the mainboard is swapped out, the boot drive will be swapped out as well, and you will not get your files back.

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Debugging steps:

Make certain you have applied all available software updates, because no one is willing to debug a problem that might have been seen and solved already.

Then you need to go through the 'regular" steps to eliminate added software as the cause of the problem:

• Run In Safe Mode, where no third-party add-ons are loaded

• create a new "clean" User account, and run with that to eliminate contamination in your regular User account

• run the diagnostic to check for GROSS issues. "no fault found" is not the same as "all is well".

If you are seeing kernel panics, post a panic report. Some panic-reasons suggest a Hardware issue. There is a procedure that can allow you to find those reports to post one. Ask for assistance if you need it.

if you take it to an Apple service provider first, they CAN run their diagnostics, which are a bit more comprehensive than the User diagnostics. In the very small amount of time they are run, “No faults detected” still does not mean “All is Well” but at least there are no detected GROSS problems. Unless they can find a fault, they will return your computer unchanged.

Consider downloading and running this little "discovery" utility, Etrecheck. It changes NOTHING. Etrecheck was developed by senior contributor here, and uses system calls to collect often-needed information.

it contains little tests for speeds of devices, CPU utilization, memory usage, energy usage and a digest of recent problems, in one easy to use package. it does not even need to be Installed. Because less can be learned when your Mac is running great, best time to run is when your problems are actually occurring, if possible.

if you follow the directions faithfully, its report (pre-laundered of all personally-identifiable information) can be "Shared" to the System ClipBoard, then Pasted into an ‘Additional Text’ window in a reply on the forums.

Use Etrecheck Pro for free:

http://Etrecheck.com

the start a reply on the forum, click that "additional text" icon, and PASTE

Readers can help you get a start on debugging if you wish.

Restarts generally occur because of kernel panics. Each kernel panic leaves a trail.

Kernel Panic Reports are stored in the Folder at:

/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports

If you copy and paste that string into:

Finder > Go menu > Go to Folder

it will take you to the Folder where those reports are stored.

Kernel panic reports are named with Date&Time and start or end in ‘panic’

If you find one, please post as much as you can here, by using the “additional text” Icon in the reply footer (looks like a paper with writing). (Once the report devolves into incessant software-names or incessant Base-64 dumps with lots of AAAAAA lines, you are done.)

Please don’t post more about 20 lines of any other types of reports — they are interminable, and any information useful for this purpose is on the first screenful.

If you post your kernel panic here in its entirety, using the additional text icon in the reply footer, we do have some Readers (typically with developer background) who can attempt to interpret those panic reports. Even if no clear symptom emerges, this can still save a step if you DO need to contact Apple support later, because Apple Support specialists can read the panic reports you posted here, if you tell them what discussion or what Avatar.

“Why is my MacBook's fan running loudly and causing frequent crashes?: […]I also mentioned the loud noise, and I think the support guy could hear it, but he couldn't identify any problem other than to suggest that at times the Mac might be overtaxed by all the things I'm trying to do.[…]”

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View App’s RAM and CPU Consumption in the Activity Monitor:

As for the fan and restarting, application or file or sorts is consuming lost of RAM and CPU. So, view the Activity Monitor, seeing what is consuming the most of these. Those with the most consumption, save what need be, close them.

More on Activity Monitor: Activity Monitor User Guide - Apple Support

A bit of a time for phone support with Apple:

Screenshare with the Apple Rep:

To easily show the Apple Rep what is going on here, request a prompt for a screensharing session with the Apple Rep. That will allow them to see this firsthand, and upfront. Also, hold the microphone over the fan while talking with. Essentially, you’d open the camera app, hover you phone over this while in speakerphone, and then perform screensharing with the Apple Rep.

Learn More at My User Tips: 

• iPhone: Screenshare your iPhone with the Camera App Enabled to Easily Converse Over-the-Phone with Apple Support - User Tip
• Mac: Screensharing MacOS FaceTime to Easily Converse Over-the-Phone with Apple Support - User Tip

“Macbook runs loudly: My MacBook fan periodically runs louder than usual. This has been happening on and off for several years, and I've just ignored it. […]How do I address that, by myself or with a repair service? Or is it a technical issue, which might be related to the crashes?”

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You Need to Get your Mac Serviced...

There are major hardware errors with this —-particular to the power.

A. Contact Apple Support:

You'd setup a Genius Bar Appointment at your local Apple Store, taking it in for service. There, it will be diagnosed, and you'll be provided with your options.

• Contact Us - Choose Locations
• Proceed from there as Necessary

And/Or...

B. Contact an AASP: 

1. Go Here: Find Locations - Apple Authorized Reseller
2. Click: Service & Support
3. Enter: your location information
4. See: if there is an AASP nearby
5. Contact: an AASP that shows up, and find out more about the services that they offer to replace the Mac's screen

Yeah, that pretty much the same type of report you posted above.

Watchdog timers get set for asynchronous processes that run for a comparatively long time (too long to just wait for them) but need to keep checking in from time-to-time.

your stooped checking in, and the watchdog timer fired. that suggest that the system in general is so bollixed up it can't get out of its own way and get ordinary work done.

That re-inforces what you already know, and this checking kernel panics for causes is a dead end. Instead, work on clearing up some of the other issue you know about, including setting up TRIM and removing old debris already noted by readers above.

if no joy after that, you should dig into removing/replacing unsigned files. Modern MacOS software from major vendors is ALL signed, so these may end up being really, really old or completely wrong versions, or malware installed impersonating something else:

Unsigned Files:

Launchd: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.avg.antitrack.Uninstaller.plist

Command: /usr/bin/open file:/Users/***/Library/Application%20Support/AVG%20AntiTrack/Uninstaller.app --args uninstall-agent

Launchd: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.citrixonline.GoToMeeting.G2MUpdate.plist

Executable: ~/Library/Application Support/CitrixOnline/GoToMeeting/G2MUpdate

Details: Exact match found in the legitimate list - probably OK

Launchd: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.amazon.music.plist

Executable: /Applications/Amazon Music.app/Contents/MacOS/Amazon Music Helper

Details: Exact match found in the legitimate list - probably OK

Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.wdc.SanDiskPrivilegedHelper.plist

Executable: /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.wdc.SanDiskPrivilegedHelper

Launchd: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.avg.breachguard.Uninstaller.plist

Command: /usr/bin/open file:/Users/***/Library/Application%20Support/AVG%20BreachGuard/Uninstaller.app --args uninstall-agent

Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.aviatainc.p3.epson.plist

Command: /Library/Epson PowerENGAGE/Epson PowerENGAGE.app/Contents/MacOS/Epson PowerENGAGE scheduled-run

Details: Gatekeeper bypass

Un-install everything questionable until you get your system STABLE. Once it is stable, then you can decide whether to re-install.

You do not have TRIM enabled for your non-Apple Time Machine drive. This will slow writing to unbelievably slow, and cause delays and a drag on everything.

open Terminal and type:

sudo trimforce enable

it will demand your Admin password, which will NOT be echoed.

Then it will "read you the Riot Act" about possibility of data loss.

Tell it to go ahead, and it will change the setting and do a programmed Restart.

To get back that speed, run Disk Utility and FirstAid/RepairDisk on the non-Apple Device(s), Container-disk, and Volume. If you watch the details, it will pause while it reports something like "TRIMing unused blocks" which is what will ultimately provide the speedup.

If Disk Utility is showing only the named Volume, change the Tiny "View" menu to "Show all Devices" before proceeding.

This full Kernel Panic log you posted differs from the summary one in the EtreCheck report. This would tell me you most likely have a hardware issue of some sort which is not surprising for a 2020 Intel model.

If removing the items mentioned previously doesn't help, then it is most likely a hardware issue. Personally I would not spend any money on repairs for multiple reasons. The money spent on repairs is much better put towards a new laptop.