Troubleshooting guide
How to fix the problem
Check the CPU load with Activity Monitor and use a hard, non-covering surface. Short-term heating during heavy work is not the same as failure; watch for slowdowns and shutdowns. Some MacBook Airs do not have a fan, so the check must be model specific. If there is high heating without load or the device shuts down, a technical inspection is required.
Possible solutions
Choose the method that matches your situation. Start with the simplest suitable option and check the result. If the problem is fixed, you do not need to continue with the other methods.
Reducing the load on applications
Use Activity Monitor to identify a known CPU-heavy program and clean it up.
Steps to follow
- Command+Space type Activity Monitor and open it.
- Select CPU and click the % CPU column, then Memory or Energy as asked.
- Take a few minutes to compare the performance of popular programs. After saving your work, close the unnecessary burdening program and appreciate the difference; do not kill system processes blindly.
Changing the work surface and ventilation
Use a hard, non-obscuring surface and evaluate the cooling of the specific model.
Steps to follow
- Place the laptop on a hard, flat table, not a bed or sofa.
- Keep things away from its air vents and do not cover the case.
- Allow to cool without heavy load and compare to normal operation. If it shuts off or a burning smell is detected, stop the test.
Technical inspection of cooling
If it heats up without load or shuts down, an inspection is required; some Air models do not have a fan.
Steps to follow
- Save important files if your computer or drive is stable. If it makes unusual noises, smells like burning or the battery is swollen, stop testing.
- Write down the exact pattern of when the problem started and what action it took to reoccur. Take a picture of the visible error or deformation without opening the case.
- Submit a repair request with this information.
If the problem persists
Check the load at rest and use a hard surface. Some MacBook Airs do not have a fan; if the computer shuts down or slows down significantly, the cooling of the model should be evaluated.
Request a repair