macbook pro 13 inch overheating without reason

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macbook pro 13 inch overheating without reason

MacBook Pro 13” 2018 – Overheating even when closed

Hi everyone,

I have a 13-inch MacBook Pro from 2018 (4 Thunderbolt ports) and I’m experiencing an overheating issue that I can’t quite explain.

Here’s what’s happening:

Sometimes it starts overheating even when I’m just browsing the web with only a few tabs open.
Other times, after a meeting where I’ve only used the Notes app, I close the lid, put the laptop in my backpack, and later when I take it out, it’s really hot — it’s clearly been blowing hot air while closed.

I’ve checked Activity Monitor and I don’t see any unusual processes or heavy energy usage.

The battery is at 712 cycles and macOS still reports it as “Normal”.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas on what could be causing it?

Thanks a lot!

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 14.5

Posted on Jul 7, 2025 05:21 AM

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Answer 1

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neuroanatomist

Level 9

52,791 points

Jul 7, 2025 06:23 AM in response to franricceri

When you're 'browsing the web with only a few tabs open' and the fans spin up, Activity Monitor should report heavy CPU usage for something, most likely your browser. Is that browser Chrome? That's a notorious resource hog on Macs, I'd avoid it unless you absolutely require it.

As for the awake-when-closed issue, I've run across that occasionally with Intel Macs. I found that it was happening when I was connected to a dock / external display and just unplugged the closed Mac. I got in the habit of using Apple menu > Sleep before disconnecting and the problem did not recur.

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Answer 2

franricceri Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 16, 2025 01:09 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Yes, I do use Chrome — but interestingly, Activity Monitor doesn’t show anything unusual, even when the fans spin up. In fact, sometimes I have many tabs open and the Mac stays cool, while other times it overheats with just a few tabs.

Sometimes it happens after I’ve been using an external display (which I’m currently avoiding just in case). That might be related.

I was also wondering — could it be a thermal paste issue? The Mac is 7 years old, and I’ve never had the thermal paste checked or replaced. Maybe it no longer conducts heat properly?

Regarding your suggestion: I usually leave the lid open when connected to the display, but I’ll try using Apple menu > Sleep before unplugging and see if that helps. I’ll report back!

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