M4 Mac mini Overheating and Shutting Down

Question

Level 1

11 points

M4 Mac mini Overheating and Shutting Down

Hi,

I’m using a Mac mini base model with an M4 chip. I’ve run several tests and encountered serious overheating issues sometimes it gets so hot that it shuts itself down. When I’m doing office work or using my regular apps, everything is fine, but once high-end applications and games come into play, severe overheating starts.

This really worries me, and honestly, it’s been a huge disappointment. Is anyone else experiencing the same issue, or does anyone have suggestions?

Thanks.

Mac mini (M4)

Posted on Oct 7, 2025 12:58 PM

Reply

Answer 1

tbirdvet

Level 6

16,873 points

Oct 7, 2025 5:12 PM in response to MacManCy

I have never seen this issue before. I have a Mac Mini M4 pro and run heavy video editing and while the unit gets warmer the fan speed increases from ~1000 RPM to ~2500 RPM but I have never had any shut down issues. Are you sure you are not restricting the air flow around the unit? I also suggest you install a fan/temp monitoring app to see what is going on.

Reply

Answer 2

Oct 8, 2025 5:27 AM in response to MacManCy

So it is possible Tahoe could be the culprit rather than anything intrinsically wrong with your M4.

The free version of Macs Fan Control will be your friend as you can push the fans to anywhere between minimum and maximum whenever you want.

A few months ago den.thed put me on to making a custom setting which I hadn't realised was possible in the free version.

So now my fan starts speeding up at 125F and reaches maximum if the computer gets to 180F.

The default Apple fan settings have always (in my experience) worked on the "cliff-edge" principle . . . they wait until the machine is about to burst into flames and then come on at full power . . . not a good engineering strategy for reliability.

Reply

Answer 3

MacManCy Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 10, 2025 1:53 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

Thank you for the information. It was very helpful. I manually set the fan control tool built into this app to 50 or 60% while playing games, and it no longer overheats and shuts down. I appreciate all your comments, help, and efforts. Apple needs to add such a tool to the macOS system. My best regards to everyone 🙏🏻

Reply

Answer 4

tbirdvet

Level 6

16,873 points

Oct 8, 2025 5:53 AM in response to MacManCy

The fan speed should auto increase as required. I have the app TG Pro which shows all temps and I can manually increase the fan speeds although I never have to do that. If you install an app then you can see if the fan speed is really changing as it is hard to tell because the fan is very quiet anyway.

Reply

Answer 5

den.thed

Level 10

89,548 points

Oct 7, 2025 4:50 PM in response to MacManCy

I use MacFanControl to keep my Mac mini's from cooking.

https://crystalidea.com/macs-fan-control

Reply

Answer 6

den.thed

Level 10

89,548 points

Oct 8, 2025 7:40 AM in response to tbirdvet

+1

With MacFanControl you can monitor the temp. and the fan speed on the menu bar.

Reply

Answer 7

Oct 8, 2025 1:56 AM in response to MacManCy

See this topic . . .

mac mini m4 fan doesn't seem to be turnin… - Apple Community

Reply

Answer 8

den.thed

Level 10

89,548 points

Oct 9, 2025 11:36 AM in response to MacManCy

I've never heard of or used that Fan Assistant utility.

If you need help or support with it, then you'll have to reach out to the developer.

Or optionally, completely uninstall the Fan Assistant and Stats as per the developers directions.

Then get the tested and proven MacFanControl utility, that we have recommended.

Reply

Answer 9

Oct 11, 2025 1:47 AM in response to MacManCy

Fan control apps have been around for many years and Apple has shown no interest in building in their own version.

I have always been at a loss to understand why not but recently I have seen posts suggesting that Apple prizes silence in computers and therefore leaves it until the last moment before speeding up "noisy" fans.

So it doesn't look as though there will be any "improved" fan control system in the pipeline.

Reply

Answer 10

MacManCy Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 9, 2025 10:49 AM in response to MacManCy

First of all, thanks to everyone who took the time to respond and help.

I installed an app called Fan Assistant, part of the Stats app. It stays in the Automatic Settings.

Immediately after this installation, an app called (Serhiy Mytrovtsiy) started running in the background.

Question 1. Do I need to adjust any other settings for the Fan Assistant app in the Stats app?

Question 2. Is this strangely named thing running in the background normal?

Images are attached. Thank you.

Reply

Answer 11

Oct 10, 2025 12:26 AM in response to MacManCy

Do not worry!

Stats is a well respected open source app and Serhiy Mytrovtsiy is the creator.

His "name" has to appear in the Login Items in order for Fan Assistant to work.

If you have TG Pro installed, the name of the company - "TunaBelly Software" appears as a login item.

It's all perfectly normal and harmless.

Reply

Answer 12

MacManCy Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 7, 2025 10:53 PM in response to tbirdvet

The device is located in a cool, open environment. The fan speed of the device does not increase at all and remains constant. Did you make any additional adjustments?

Reply