MacBook Air fans running excessively

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Level 1

4 points

MacBook Air fans running excessively

Hi! I've been having problems with my MacBook Air (2019) ever since I updated it from one of the older versions (around Mojave or Catalina). The fans will run sporadically and excessively when the CPU usage is low, sometimes even while asleep. It can be fixed by restarting the computer, but it happens too regularly for that to be practical. I am aware that Google Chrome (which is the only thing I use consistently) can be a culprit for high energy usage, but I check Activity Monitor whenever the fans run and the CPU usage is never more than 20%.

I have been to the Apple Store on numerous occasions:

1) Was told to replace the battery and did so --> battery life is improved but fan issue continues

2) Was told to turn off all background items --> no improvement

The noise and consistent need to restart my laptop is driving me insane. Any suggestions? Should I factory reset and downgrade it to an older version?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 14.7

Posted on Feb 4, 2025 10:06 AM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

153,520 points

Feb 5, 2025 03:48 AM in response to mvott

Installing Google Chrome also installs all of Google's invasive system-altering components. They remain active constantly, even if you were to quit the Chrome browser. Those processes automatically update themselves and will continue to impose increasing demands upon limited hardware resources.

In other words Google Chrome itself is only part of the problem. It is the vector Google uses to infect Macs.

Any suggestions?

Do not install Google on Macs.

Should I factory reset and downgrade it to an older version?

That is not an option.

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Answer 2

mvott Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 8, 2025 07:01 PM in response to John Galt

Thanks for your response, but unfortunately it is not Google that is the problem. Despite completely uninstalling Google Chrome and relying on a Safari-based browser, I am experiencing the same issues. I have been watching temperature sensor monitors and noticed that the temperature of my Mac skyrockets when a subset of specific websites (GeeksforGeeks and Instagram, to name a few) or apps (Adobe suite, etc.) are open. Clearly I can manage this by never opening a wide variety of websites/apps, but that's an unrealistic expectation. It is unacceptable to me that a $1000 laptop cannot handle simple day-to-day tasks. Is this what I should be expecting from Apple's products, or is there an issue with my device in particular?

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Answer 3

vam3r

Level 1

20 points

Feb 9, 2025 05:47 AM in response to mvott

You could download a third party app or program that could help you with controlling the speed of your fans (I don't know if it will work as I have a fanless mac) but you could try it to reduce the speed of the fans.

Macs Fan Control (this is a free one that I found)

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Answer 4

John Galt

Level 10

153,520 points

Feb 9, 2025 04:55 AM in response to mvott

That's possible. EtreCheck may provide some actionable information. Instructions: How to use the Add Text Feature When Posting Large Amounts of Text, i.e. an Etrecheck Report - Apple Community

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MacBook Air fans running excessively

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