Fan running at full speed and all the time!

Hi,
I was wondering what could be the reason for my fan running on full speed at all times?
It is pretty annoying especially when I am in a quiet room. This just started happening this morning and I thought it was just going to stop but it didn't so I restarted my MacBook and shut it down also and still no luck.
Oh...
My battery meter only says 1:45 after I just took it off the charger when it said it was fully charged and I had the green light on my charger.
What could be the reasons for these two things?
Thanks,
Sam

I reset the PMU and the fan is still going at full blast right when the MacBook starts up.
Will I know that the PMU is reset or will it just fix the problem if it is?
Does anyone know a solution?
The computer is running fine but it's just the fan that is really loud and going at full speed and the battery life is extremely short for some reason.

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Fans running at full speed and slow iMac

I have a 2009 iMac that's used every day.
More and more frequently, the fans decide to go up to full speed. I've also noted my iMac is struggling somewhat this past year with standard tasks like iPhoto and iTunes. It even crashed yesterday when adding name tags to iPhoto.
After a reset the fans slowley go back to normal running speed.
I'm all backed-up in two separate locations, (JIC).
Any pointers on what I can look at?
Thanks
Ollie

Ollie ...
Your profile indicates your Mac has v10.5.7 installed. That's an outdated version of Leopard.
Click Software Update from your () menu top left in your screen.
Or, install the Mac OS X 10.5.8 Combo Update
Either way, restart your Mac after the updates are installed.
And how much free space on the startup disk?
Control click the MacintoshHD icon on your desktop then click Get Info.
You'll see Capacity & Available in the Get Info panel. Make sure there's at least 15% free disk space.
Run Disk Utility to verify and if necessary, repair the startup disk.
Launch Disk Utility located in HD > Applications > Utilities
Select the startup disk on the left then select the First Aid tab.
Click Verify Disk (not Verify Disk Permisions)
If repairs are necessary, help here > Using Disk Utility to verify or repair disks
More tips here > Mac troubleshooting: What to do when your computer is too slow | Macworld

Case Fan Running at Full Speed

I accidentally shorted the case fan circuitry on my HP motherboard (explanation below) and now the fan runs at full speed all the time. Other than the fact that is was a stupid thing to do, will it be a problem long-term and should I try to reset the fan speed switch?
(Long Version) It is hot around here these days and my computer fans seemed underpowered. I put a splitter on the case fan outlet on the motherboard and added a second fan in addition to the original fan. It all worked fine except the new fan seemed to run pretty slow. I wanted to get a voltage reading from the fan plug but I accidently touched the two sensors on my volt meter and the computer immediately shut down. It started up and worked fine except the throttle was no longer working and the fans were running at full speed. This also explained why the second fan was running slowly before when they were both being throttled.
I guess in the end I got my wish to have my fans running at full power, I just wanted to see if there will be any future problems leaving it this way.
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Hello design_guy,
You should not have any problems with the fans running at full speed other than the fact you may decrease the life cycle of the fan.
You may want to install some software on the computer that will allow you to adjust the fan speed from the computer which may help you prolong the life of the fans and give you a little control over them.
Something like SpeedFan should do the trick.
If I have helped you in any way click the Kudos button to say Thanks.
The community works together, click Accept as Solution on the post that solves your issue for other members of the community to benefit from the solution.
- Friendship is magical.

I have a dual 1.8 ghz pwer pc g5 and sometimes i put it in sleep mode and come home on my lunch break and the fan is running at full speed and the computer has frozen up...what is going on here?

and sometimes i put it in sleep mode and come home on my lunch break and the fan is running at full speed and the computer has frozen up...what is going on here? is it a virus or has my computer been hijacked? it cant be good for the computer...anyone ever had this problem..?

Your problem has been reported many times, but causes are as varied as individuals.
Can we assume that a hard shutdown allows a normal restart?
Can I assume that you have used Disk Utility from your OS X install disc to repair the hard drive directory? The freezes and hard shutdowns require that the drive be repaired (not permissions) or soon the machine won't boot at all.
If the root issue is software related, in Console (the application) under Logs, there should be loggings around the time of sleep and logs that tell you what process went wild and froze the machine.
Network activity is also a common casue.
Other info:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1776
If hardware related, such as an external drive, other USB device (Wacom tablet) or USB PCI card, ejecting, disconnecting, removing, or in the case of the Wacom, updating drivers, are all potential remedies.

Often I will leave my office and return to find the fan running at max speed and the computer is unresponsive

I also have a MacPro3,1 (2009) I believe and just started experiencing similar issues as described here.
I have scheduled sleep and start cycles and often I will leave my office and return to find the fan running at max speed and the computer is unresponsive or I find the computer booted in to disk utility mode.
I also often loose ethernet connectivity and have to try renewing DHCP lease several times before it will finally work.
Has anyone found solutions for this. I have looked at the console errors right before shutdown and don't really see anything fishy. Here are the last couple of lines before it looks like it shutdown.
12/4/14 10:08:37.447 PM xpcproxy[5066]: assertion failed: 13F34: xpcproxy + 3438 [D559FC96-E6B1-363A-B850-C7AC9734F210]: 0x2
12/4/14 10:08:58.145 PM mds[38]: (Normal) ImportServer: Ignoring blacklisted Spotlight importer plugin:/Developer/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Library/Spotlight/SourceCode. mdimporter uuid:548A3091-3C5D-498A-A329-B532A6C896BB version:1085
12/4/14 10:08:58.193 PM mds[38]: (Normal) ImportServer: Ignoring blacklisted Spotlight importer plugin:/Developer/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Library/Spotlight/SourceCode. mdimporter uuid:548A3091-3C5D-498A-A329-B532A6C896BB version:1085
12/4/14 10:08:58.235 PM mds[38]: (Normal) ImportServer: Ignoring blacklisted Spotlight importer plugin:/Developer/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Library/Spotlight/SourceCode. mdimporter uuid:548A3091-3C5D-498A-A329-B532A6C896BB version:1085
12/4/14 10:08:58.269 PM mds[38]: (Normal) ImportServer: Ignoring blacklisted Spotlight importer plugin:/Developer/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Library/Spotlight/SourceCode. mdimporter uuid:548A3091-3C5D-498A-A329-B532A6C896BB version:1085
12/4/14 10:08:58.301 PM mds[38]: (Normal) ImportServer: Ignoring blacklisted Spotlight importer plugin:/Developer/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Library/Spotlight/SourceCode. mdimporter uuid:548A3091-3C5D-498A-A329-B532A6C896BB version:1085
12/4/14 10:08:58.662 PM mds[38]: (Normal) ImportServer: Ignoring blacklisted Spotlight importer plugin:/Developer/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Library/Spotlight/SourceCode. mdimporter uuid:548A3091-3C5D-498A-A329-B532A6C896BB version:1085
12/4/14 10:09:57.998 PM mds[38]: (Normal) ImportServer: Ignoring blacklisted Spotlight importer plugin:/Developer/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Library/Spotlight/SourceCode. mdimporter uuid:548A3091-3C5D-498A-A329-B532A6C896BB version:1085
12/4/14 10:09:58.142 PM mds[38]: (Normal) ImportServer: Ignoring blacklisted Spotlight importer plugin:/Developer/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Library/Spotlight/SourceCode. mdimporter uuid:548A3091-3C5D-498A-A329-B532A6C896BB version:1085
12/4/14 10:10:30.000 PM kernel[0]: PM notification timeout (pid 1514, Messages)
12/4/14 10:10:31.129 PM mDNSResponder[39]: DHCPWakeTime: SCDynamicStoreCopyDHCPInfo index 0 failed CFDateRef start 0000000000000000 CFDataRef lease 0000000000000000 CFDataGetLength(lease) 0
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
<Re-Titled By Host>

Mac Pro early 2009 is Mac Pro4,1, anyway, I think you need to boot into recovery mode, launch Disk Utility, then select startup volume and run repair disk.
Xcode is the latest one, by the way?

My iMac G5 Fans run at full speed when using regular everyday applications.

When using just normal everyday applications such as using about 30 min of Safari to surf the web or maybe something else, my fans run at full speed. I have just got a new logic board replacing my old faulty one. How can I fix the fan problem?
Thanks!

Hi again Miriam,
With more news for you and iMacG5 on the fans go crazy. I just got back my computer from the repair center. After more than a week under observation, the technician told me that they just couldn't replicate the problem. They had the computer running non-stop during all this time, not even allowingit to go to sleeo mode and nothing.
The CPU fan never went beyond 2300 rpm (or so) and never went to sleep mode on and off by itself. Furthermore, they ran all possible tests and everything comes back as OK.
Right now I have a movie running on the background, together with a photo processing software open and other smaller processes and the CPU fan is running at 4361 rpm !!! the temp of the CPU is 66.3 Celsius.
Any thoughts??? It's really making me crazy because the computer was neverlike this and now it sounds like a hair dryer. I emphasized with them the fact that this just started after they changed the logic board and as coincidence after Ioaded the security update 2006_04. The technician told me it may be software related. If the computer doesn't go to sleep by itself, then he recommended to reload the operating system.
Any comments appreciated.
Zwirek

Very noisy iMac, fans running at full speed even when performing smal tasks

I have a 2009 21 iMac, recently the computer became very noisy with the fans running at full speed all the time even when checking the email or just using Safari. I don't do anything crazy like 3d renderings so I don't know why the fans wont stop. I recently cleaned it but this didn't seem to solve the problem.
Anyone knows what's the problem and how can I fix it?
Thanks

Hello irisfailsafe
Welcome to Apple Discussions
Reset the SMC > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
+1. Shut down the computer.+
+2. Unplug the computer's power cord.+
+3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.+
+4. Release the power button.+
+5. Attach the computers power cable.+
+6. Press the power button to turn on the computer.+
Dennis

Macbook May 2010 edition exhaust fan runs at full speed

Bought a new Macbook around February 2011. Yesterday all of a sudden while watching Netflix, the exhaust fan started running at full speed (Approximately 6200 RPM). I thought the machine was overheating. So I immediately shut it down and let it cool. But I noticed the machine was barely warm.
When I started it up again, it started making the same noise with the exhaust fan running at full speed. I installed SMCFanControl and I see that the CPU is barely warm - 35-37C and yet the fan is running at full speed. I looked at the CPU/HDD usage and there is barely ANY usage (~90% idle). Nothing out of the ordinary. So it definitely doesn't seem to be a heating issue.
In order to troubleshoot this I have done the following:
1. Installed latest upgrade - Snow Leopard 10.6.7
2. Reset SMC
3. Reset the PRAM
4. Tried booting from the install DVD. There as well it exhibits the same issue.
Neither of these steps have helped me with my situation. I would really hate to go to the apple store as its always crowded and would end up wasting time. Are there any other steps I could try?
Update: I tried running the Apple Hardware Test from the DVD. This is the error code that I got: 4SNS/1/40000001: TN1D- -1.000
Can someone please tell me what this means?

I don't know what that code means for sure, but it sounds like one of the temperature sensors may have died, so the fans just run at full to cool.
I would take it to the apple store.

G5 fans - runs at full speed

One of my MACs (G5 2.0DP) can't slow down - the fans runs at full speed all the time (OSX 10.3.9) - hardware test - PMU - disconnect powersupply - exit single user mode - I think I did all that's in the "book" - but the fans are still running at full speed - all the time.
any ideas?

Hello,
I am not sure if you have the same issue, but I might be worth it for you to read the archive:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=561296&start=0&tstart=0
And here is the end of my story:
Regarding my issue with the fan fan full force, yes it was resolved... but not without fighting for it!
Fortunately the machine was still under warranty, and I left it with Apple care during an oversea trip in August. End of August I picked it up suppositely fixed and after a few hours of work I noticed the same symptoms were still there! You can be sure I made it clear to Apple service I was not happy. I left the machine again for a week and 1/2 and picked it up again. They told me they replace the logic board. Again a few hours of work of testing and this time I could repeatidly hang up the machine. Back to Apple, I told them I didn't want to pick it up until they REALLY tested it! This time they replace the logic borad again, the power supply and something else?...
Anyway since then the machine works just like it did before : great, no hardware system related issues.
Unfortunately I cannot tell you for sure what was the problem: logic board? CPUs? power supply?... and I could not get the information from Apple care, especially I would have been interested in the specific procedure they follow to fix my problem... but for some reasons they don't want to share this information...
I hope your machine is still under warranty... other wise you'll have to weigh the pros and cons to have it fixed, especially if they replace the logic board ($900 I believe) or any other main components...
I hope this help,
Good luck,
David
Dual 2 GHz PowerPC G5 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Fans run at full speed

As in subject, my brand new iMac Aluminium 20" 2GHz has a problem: fans run at full speed...
After reset of PRAM or SMC, fans start slowly (1200rpm) but rise ti 3500rpm after few minutes and they don't change until a new restore of SMC.
cpu 3-4%,
no apllication opened,
nothing in dashboard.
What's happen?? I've never had a problem with my mac!
PS: sorry for my bad english, I'm italian!
cerion
Message was edited by: cerion86

Hi, just an update -
I ran the Apple Hardware Test on startup, and it returned this hardware error: 4SNS/1/40000000:TpoP
I brought my machine to the Apple Store where I bought it and they ran their diagnostics and said there was nothing wrong. So when I picked it up we booted it up in the store and the fan was about 1200rpm, no problem. We ran the Apple Hardware Test in the store and it didn't give the same hardware error that I'd had before.
So, I didn't really have any ammunition to press them any further on it and for the last week it's been fine. I had the fan race on me again last night but I hope it was an isolated incident.
As for downgrading to OSX 10.4, I'd consider it but I don't feel that I should have to do that to make my hardware perform correctly.
Re. smcFanControl, I thought the purpose of that is to make the fans run faster/more often, but if anyone's used it to stop them from running too fast/too often I'd be glad to hear from you.
Maybe the 10.5.2 version of the OS will take care of this problem, if indeed a problem exists.

TS1433 Fans run at full speed after computer turns on

Fans run at full speed after computer turns on, and a lot of times while i'm working they suddenly start blowing and won't stop. Tried the reset SMC, nothing happens. Also the unplug powercord-method does nothing.
Anyone?

Exactly what method did you use to reset the SMC, every Mac has different methods and I want to ensure you used the method for an Intel based Imac. The correct instructions are in the iMac SMC and PRAM reset link. Do the SMC reset at least 2X!

I install new hard drive 500gb and i still have 400gb available but my macbook run very slow getting rainbow all the time on screen

i have install new hard drive 500gb and i still have 400gb available but my macbook run very slow getting rainbow all the time on screen.
need help

First boot into recovery and select Disk Utility>First Aid and repair the disk.
If there is no improvement, perform a Safe Boot:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1
If there is an improvement, then third party applications are probably the cause of the problem.
Ciao.

Fan runs at full speed all the time

The fan on my brand new iMac 17" runs at full speed all the time, creating an unbearable amount of noise. The activity monitor shows 99% spare time, i.e. nothing much is running.
I updated all software, checked the firmware version (it was the latest already) and performed an SMC reset. I also unplugged it for several hours, as some people have suggested.
I downloaded smcFanControl and it says that the ODD fan is running at 5200 rpm all the time. The CPU and HDD fans seem to run at normal speeds. smcFanControl also reports a cool 39 deg.
Does anyone have any idea of what to try to fix this problem?

I don't have a solution but thought I'd add a computer that showed the same behaivor.
A 20" iMac I was configuring for my company did the same thing, but just once so far. I used it briefly just out of the box and didn't have any problems. It's a stock install of OS X 10.4.8, no other software installed. Turned it on several days later and the fans ran during the 2 hours I used it to run Safari via Airport. I turned if off after it started to smell like hot electrical components. Activity monitor looks completely normal. After shutting it off for two hours, unplugging and re-plugging AC and keyboard, it came back on with no fans. I did not do the SMC reset or any updates between the power cycle.
ps. Repairing permissions is Voodoo
http://daringfireball.net/2006/04/repairpermissionsvoodoo

15 " MBP C2D fans running at full speed all the time

hi
just purchased new MBP C2D 15 inch, the fans are running all the time at full speed (or at least sound noisy).
i know there were several updates on earlier machines but none for this one that i can see.
SMC Version: 1.12f5.
any idea's please.
thanks

A very reasonable thought although it's clearly not DOA. Nor do we know whether it was bought as a CTO or not. The requirements for classing a system DOA are very clear and this system, while possibly not operating correctly, certainly is not a DOA.
I would however make every effort to determine the cause of the problem. Potentially the issue can be caused through software and no fault of Apple. Being able to quantify an issue does go a long way to resolving it.

Mac Fan runs at full Speed from start, even in standby mode!

Hi Folks
Since this night my iMac's fan (summer 2012 model) runs at full speed from the beginning of powering it on. It even runs at full speed when I put the iMac to sleep!
So far I tried to reset the SMC three times, noo effect at all. I checked also the activity log, no processes or other activities are causing this. I read about defect HDD sensors, could that be the problem?
Any ideas how to fix or at least control this issue???
Thank you all for your help!
Matt
PS: That's a pretty annoying sound I'm hearing here, I feel like on the roof top of the Hancock Building at wind speed 200!

I have tried the SMC reset as instructed and the fan is running normally. It is a bit of an intermittent problem so I will monitor the performance of the computer over the coming weeks. If it persists, I will take it in to a service centre while it remains under warranty.
I guess the "cure" I had stumbled across by accident was nothing to do with turning the computer upside down, it was because I was unknowingly performing an SMC reset. The reason I turned the computer upside down was to find the serial number on the base of the stand so I could report the fault to Apple. Of course, when I plugged it back in to contact the support line, it worked fine.
Once again, thanks for your help.

Fan running at full speed and all the time!

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