Fan problem in Macbook

In the past months the fan in my macbook has started to become noisier and noisier and I don't know why. I don't know if the problem is the computer temp being too high, or simply that the fan is running too fast. For example, now the CPU temp is 62C, and the fan exhaust speed is running close to 6000rpm. Is this normal? I am only runing Firefox and according to Activity Control the CPU is about 70% idle. I don't remember having this problem before, only when doing a lot of intensive tasks did I get fan on, now it's on and loud nearly always.

You need to run Activity Monitor and then click on the %CPU tab. Make sure you are viewing "All Processes" and not "My Processes" or anything else. Look through that list of processes and see if ANYTHING is running double digit %. If it is then there is your problem. I will bet you will find one or more things using way too much of the CPU and that will definitely cause excess heat and then of course the fan will run high speed.
I have had countless laptops apart and have never seen dust in a quantity that could affect the cooling.

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Fan problem on macbook 4.1

Hello everyone,
I have a macbook 4.1 with Lion OS. The battery needs to be changed, but my main concern is that the fans run full speed even if there's no program running. Nothing's changed after inizialization and re-installation of OSX.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

Hello shacharlie,
I would be concerned too if the fans on my MacBook were running full speed. Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) addresses this specific issue:
These symptoms may indicate that an SMC reset may be necessary:
Fans
The computer's fans run at high speed although the computer is not experiencing heavy usage and is properly ventilated.
Reset the SMC on your MacBook using these steps:
Resetting the SMC on Mac portables with a battery you can remove
Note: Learn about removing the battery on MacBook and MacBook Pro.
Shut down the computer.
Disconnect the MagSafe power adapter from the computer, if it's connected.
Remove the battery.
Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
Release the power button.
Reconnect the battery and MagSafe power adapter.
Press the power button to turn on the computer.
Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.

Noisy iTunes and fan problem on MacBook Pro Retina Early 2013

Hi guys, FYI bought today my new Retina 15-inch, Early 2013, 2,7 GHz Intel Core i7, 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 and have the issue of sudden changes of the speed of the fans without apparent cause.
iTunes also is unusable, all songs are noisy (like a radio transmission). Played with VLC they are fine.
Marco

I had almost the same problem, so I tried to turn off "Automatic graphics switching" and everything is working well again. Intel integrated card is just enough if you want 8 hours of battery.

MacBook (13inch-late 2009) Heat/fan problem?? (2.26Ghz, white unibody)

Hello guys, I have, maybe a problem with a unibody MacBook 2.26Ghz.
Many times i have noticed that it is quite silently with his fan, even if some process are taking lot of CPU. For example, my MacBook Pro 13inch mid 2009 is not so silent, cause the fans runs faster. For example, now that I'm writing on it, the CPU temp is 55 degree and fans runs at 2500rpm. I think could be normal, even if most of the times I would prefer it would not cross 2000rpm for low temp.
By the way, interested about the fan speed of this macbook unibody I have started a hard process that was taking lot of CPU (A VLC video mkv playing at very-very-very high quality). Around 90 % of both cores was used, so the temp started to gone up as normal.
The strange thing, is that even if the CPU was running from 50, then 60 then 70 then 80 and over degree, the fan speed was still at 2000rpm. The fans was not taking care of this high temperature, all was normal. The video played for many minutes, and nothing happened, the fan was still at 2000rpm, some rpm more, some rpm less.
On my Mac Book Pro, the same process cause an increase of fan speed quite after the CPU starts to get stressed at high percentage.
I have manually tested the fan of this macbook, and it is able to go at faster speed, the classic 6200rpm can be reached if someone ask it to run at that speed.
So, now I ask you guys, does is normal that this macbook quite ignore this hard temperature and not start to cool the CPU on this high degrees? Does I have to wait more for fan speed (i have waited at last 5-10 minutes)?
My fear is that the heat could damage the CPU or cause any other hardware problems...
let me know please
thanx!!
Andrea

I have the same Macbook type. You can try resetting the System Management Controller. The details are in this link:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

Macbook fan problem?!

Hi. Just today I have had several random shutdowns. Had the Macbook for 10months now and it's been brilliant so I was a tad surprised when it started playing me up!
After a few looks on google it seems lots of people experience this problem with different reasons for it. I first thought it was the system fan as it did seem very hot but the fan hadn't kicked in. I tested the fan but I got a reading of 0rpm. SO I then ran the Hardware test and got the following error message:
4MOT/1/40000002 :Exhaust
So, I'm deffo thinking it's a fan problem and the CPU is shutting down cos of the heat. Now, I did not buy the extended warranty but I have checked with my serial number and have until Feb 2008 on the standard 12month warranty - my next step is to contact Apple to see what they will do. Does anyone know whether I am assuming correctly and if they know what Apple may do for me?!?!
Thanks

smorg99 wrote:
Would it deffo be the logic board then?
deffo?
I have no idea if it is the logic board or not. I know that Macbooks do not have many serviceable parts. To get to that fan may be a major undertaking. Typically, they want to get the unit repaired and back to the customer as soon as possible. They will swap out what they can do the fastest and diagnose and fix the actual broken part on their own time (or just toss it in the trash). But, of couse, I am just guessing.
How long would it take to replace this?!?
I have no idea.
Can't believe it - I love this notebook!!!
It is not as if you have many options. It will be a paperweight soon. They are machines and all machines break eventually. Either you have the misfortune to have one that isn't perfect or the good luck to have it break while the warranty is valid.

Mid 2009 macbook pro battery is dead and fan is constantly ramped up (not due to heat). Would installing a new battery fix the fan problem?

Battery icon has an "x" over it and I need to have my laptop plugged in to be on. I've ordered a new battery to install, but I was wondering if it's possible that something else might be causing the fan to be on over drive constantly. I've tried resenting the SMC and the PRAM, but nothing has stopped the fans from running at higher than normal speeds.

If you've updated to Mavericks, you'll either need to use the original install DVD containing the AHT, or download the right one from Apple's servers, then replace the hidden /System/Library/CoreServices.diagnostics folder.
I think that replacing the battery is likely to stop the fan problem anyway.

Fan noise on Macbook pro retina 15 on low speed!

Hi guys, I'm experiencing a constant low background noise from the left fan (as I'm looking at the screen). The noise is audible always even when the fans are working in their lowest speed possible the noise is there. It seems to me that that is a mechanical failure of the fan itself. It's like something is touching at the fan. When I'm slightly moving my laptop the noise is exaggerated seems like the rotor is going out of place and touching the surrounding structures. I bought the laptop on December and I didn't use it too much. I'm having a similar problem with my older MacBook Pro but the noise from the fans occurs only when I'm moving the laptop vertically and after five years off continues usage. It's anyone having a similar problem? Any advice? Should I replace the fan? Or should I take it to an authorized service?
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013)
2.3 GHz Intel Core i7
16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB
Thank you in advance

If it is under warranty, by all means take it in for service. If there is a mechanical deficiency, it should be repaired gratis. It does sound like an internal fan problem that needs to be replaced.
Ciao.

Fan problem (failure

Ok so my fan in my macbook has failed... My laptop shuts down after a while if i dont use a cooling pad and AHT gives me the error code : 4M0T/1/40000002:Center_Lower-Front
My laptop is out of warranty so i would like to fix this myself if possible(no problem opening the laptop, but i dont do soldering). But i think this error probably means i need a new logic board.. anyone know what that kind of repair will cost me through apple??

I would suggest you call them. They would need to check it to be sure what the problem really is. It could be as simple as your fan croaked. You could also check a MacBook repair company such as this.
http://www.macservice.com/?gclid=CPjW_6He4JECFSOsGgodxUl0ew
They could give you a quote. Do a search for MacBook repairs and you will find other choices. Most of them will give you a quote before attempting any repairs.

Why would the fan on my macbook be constantly runs, even when no applications are running. Why?

Why would the fan on my MacBook constantly run? Even when I have no applications running? Is there a way to determine what is causing this to happen?

JAWade, try resetting the SMC and pram. Not always, but often those resets help problems like yours. Follow these instructions exactly.
To reset the SMC
Shut down the computer.
Unplug the computer's power cord.
Wait fifteen seconds.
Attach the computer's power cord.
Wait five seconds, then press the power button to turn on the computer.
Resetting PRAM and NVRAM
Shut down the computer.
Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
Turn on the computer.
Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
Release the keys.

Upgraded to 10.8.3 and now having start up problems on MacBook Pro. Help?

Upgraded to 10.8.3 and now having start up problems on MacBook Pro. Help?

Please elaborate. What do you mean by "start up problems" ? How far does it get?
Chime? Fans? gray screen? Dark Apple? spinner? spinner spins for usual amount of time and screen goes dark? question mark? tones? flashing power light? smoke? what?

Is this normal fans speeds for MacBook Pros? See videos of my MBP in action

I can't figure out the fans on my MacBook Pro. The lowest normal speed for the fans in 2,000 rpm. They will spin up at times for no apparent reason to 5,0000 or 6,200 with nothing taxing the CPU while it's also pretty cool, usually around the high 30's or low 40's celsius.
The other night I was converting a movie with Visual Hub, with the process taking 80% of the CPU and the temp reaching 75 c with the fans staying at 2,000 RPM until about half way through the eight minute conversion. This is a time I would have expected the fans to kick in much earlier than they did.
I have reset the SMC previously with no effect. Coming from a Polycarbonate MacBook this machine is much nosier, but also much cooler running.
Check out the videos I made showing iStat and Activity Monitor during these episodes. Thanks for any feedback. I'm coming to the end of my 14-day return period and wanted to verify if my MBP is operating like others.
VIDEOS HERE.
Thanks for any feedback.

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggests.
S.U. -- I ran the Apple Hardware Test when I received the computer and it found no problems.
Travis -- Thanks for the insight to what normal range is for the MBP.
I opened a case with Apple to get the ball rolling and get assigned a case number. The tech on the phone could not look at the videos but didn't think there was a problem from my descriptions. He did suggest I take it in for a look.
Online I made a reservation for the Genius at the Apple Store that night. While I was waiting I was curious how other MBP's handled some serious thrashing. Since it was late and nobody was in the store, I loaded iStat Pro on three of the MBP's and opened Terminal. In two windows I ran yes > /dev/null and let them run.
On all three machines the fan speeds never got higher than the lower 4K rpm range. They all settled in around 90C and stayed there. One MBP ran these processes for about 40 minutes and the highest fan speed I remember seeing was 35XX RPM, and again around 90C, but it would fluctuate up or down a few degrees.
When my appointment came up I showed Rex, my Genius rep (Cleveland, Legacy Village store), what I had done on their machines just to get some perspective on how other MBP's handled both cores running more than 90%.
My MacBook had been asleep for a few hours. When he woke it up the fans went immediately to 4200 rpm and stayed there. He hooked up a super-duper, special, double-secret HD via firewire and booted off that. The problem persisted.
He took it in back to crack it open. He was looking for any loose connections but found none. He could not find any errors but agreed that something was amiss with my MBP.
He was not sure if my computer, being a refurb, was different when it came to returns. We called Apple on my cell, got a rep, and he arranged for them to take back my Mac since I'm within my 14 days.
So props to Rex for his great customer service and a happy ending.

Return for Fan Problem (aka mooing)?

Has anyone actually returned their Macbook for the fans coming on and off (or "mooing")? If so, did you get a moo-free MB?
The mooing isn't too bad - and I have hope that software could fix it; but if there are Macbooks that don't moo, man, I would like one. However, no point in going thru the process if there is no possibility of getting a moo-free MB.
Thanks.

There definitely ARE some that do not moo. Or if they do, they do it much softer. Last night I had a white one that, every 10 seconds, would moo. It was horrible. Even with my TV on, I could still hear that fan revv up and then revv right back down, then 10 seconds later the process would repeat itself. I certainly couldn't live with that. I'm a student and would surely be kicked out of class with a laptop that sounded like a zoo, lol.
So anyway, I returned it today (demanding an exchange). What got me is when I explained the moo'ing to the girl, she sounded surprised and that she'd never heard of the problem before. THEN she takes it in back for about 5 or so minutes and comes back out and persists my MacBook didn't have a fan problem. I told her the machine had to be running for about 15-20 mins before it would kick in. Well she's gets my exchange and then continues to tell me "they're supposed to do that." She said hers at home did it. She also even commented about the posts on these forums about it at that point, too. I was thinking, okay then why didn't you tell me that when I explained the problem? I have a feeling the manager told her to tell me that.
Well, I got my black one home today and have been using it for about an hour before work (while it charged), and now for almost 2 hours (running down the battery). I've only been using it lightly and my temp hasn't gotten higher than 60C even on AC power. Perhaps this is why it doesn't moo? My white last night was close to 70C (on light use) and the moo wouldn't quit.
Unfortunately, this one does whine (somewhat loud on AC power, but very very soft on battery). However, that is a non-issue because turning on bluetooth shuts it up right away, or using QuietMBP works also. Whine I can deal with, but there is no work around for the moo.
So, my advice, is yes, return these moo'ing MacBooks. Like others have said, the more returns they get back for this fan issue, the faster they will (should lol) correct it. There's no need in my eyes to sell a laptop that behaves such as some of these do. I do not pay well over a thousand dollars to have to sit in a zoo-like atmosphere. And that's exactly what I told the sales woman. A lot of times I sit in quiet and this fan noise is too loud to ignore. However, I really do believe this is tied to a heat issue, because it is clear some of these run much cooler on light use than others do. That must be why I haven't heard the fan on this one - my temp is much lower than the one I had that moo'ed.

There is a fan problem on the Air!

I have had a MBA since day one and no matter what anybody says I am convinced there is a problem with the fans on this product.
I am sitting in a hotel, doing nothing more than reading emails and surfing the net (no youtube) and the fans are going crazy.
I have tried all sorts of things including all the software I am sure will be suggested here but nothing really works.
My Mac can be quiet for hours and then out of the blue (like now) the fans come on at 6900rpm.
This is buggy and it need to be fixed. I've paid enough for it.

I also find the fans somewhat irritating and unpredictable. One thing I have noticed: the fan reaction is much delayed. You do something that increases cpu load (say watching a web page with heavy flash) for a short time. Then maybe 10 minutes later the fans pick up, and it then takes 10 minutes to cool down again. The fans on my MacBook can also be hyperactive (disclosure: my previous PC laptop did not even have a fan, so I'm spoiled), but the reaction is predictable. If I watch a web page with heavy flash, the fans will kick up, but as soon as I close it, the fans will settle down again.

How many fans have a macbook pro 15"

hia
i wanna Know how many fans have a macbook pro, I run istat pro widget and apears only 1 fan (left fan), I dont Know if the computer only have 1 or is a problem with mine.
thanks, really sorry for my english

ticoy wrote:
sorry I dont understand what try to say me (because my english), I have MacBook Pro a 2,53 GHz, MacBookPro5,4, Intel Core 2 Duo
(MC118*/A), I buy in september, came with snow disc.
thanks
That is the one I have and it has only one fan. I have had it apart. Here is a picture I took of it inside:
http://members.all2easy.net/gregory/MacBookPro15-253.jpg
This is one of the simplest, cleanest laptops I have seen inside since the very first Mac laptops like the PB-145, PB-180.

I updated the firmware for the fan on my macbook, but now....

the fan is really loud. It was more quiet before i updated it, is there anyway to uninstall the update??
thanks

My CPU usuage is very low, as the fan kicks in hard after 30 to 40 seconds after boot up.
This WAS a problem free macbook until I installed firmware update 1.1, wish I hadn't bothered
Done all the PRAM resets, Disk utilites etc... nothing works.
Apple support told me to re install OSX and do a selective Software update excluding the SMC update to 1.1. Told me to wait for update 1.2

Fan problem in Macbook

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