Looking for a guide to help you fix your overheating MacBook Pro on macOS Monterey?
You’ve come to the right place. While the macOS Monterey is a long-awaited and much welcome update with all its new tricks, unfortunately, it does come with some problems.
Apple’s latest macOS release has been getting reports from MacBook users, saying that the operating system overheats their MacBook Pro. Although the issue is fairly recent, a lot of users are already affected by this.
Although problems with Macs overheating can happen anytime, many people will run into this issue after a major upgrade, like Monterey. If you are experiencing this problem, you may also notice that MacBook fans become noisy. Your MacBook may also be running slowly.
See also: Rapid macOS Monterey Battery Drain Issue: 10 Pro Fixes to Try
If your MacBook Pro is overheating after macOS Monterey update,there are steps you can take to diagnose and solve the issue. These are usually pretty effective, as the cause for the problem usually comes down to just a few common possibilities. There is also the possibility that an overheating problem is hardware related.
So, what can you do to fix Monterey overheating problem? The good news is that we’ve found several methods that have worked well for other users and we’ll walk you through all of them, step-by-step. Here’s how you can fix the overheating MacBook Pro problem on the new macOS Monterey.
Let’s get started!
Why your MacBook Pro is Overheating after MacOS Monterey Update
After upgrading to macOS Monterey, there are processes that need to run in order to do things like index your files for searches. These processes can take a long time to complete and will be running in the background, long after your computer has “finished” upgrading. If you have recently, in the last day or so, installed macOS Monterey on your MacBook Pro, it might be best to wait and see if the problem resolves itself.
Software
After upgrading to macOS Monterey, some of your apps may have become incompatible. Some of the apps that have been known to cause issues, at least until they were uninstalled/updated, are:
- Google Chrome
- Various antivirus/malware software such as Malwarebytes and Sophos Home.
See also: Apps Crashing on macOS Monterey? 12 Fixes to Try
Use these tips to fix MacBook Pro overheating after MacOS Monterey update:
1. Ensure Your Charger is Not Damaged
Damaged and faulty chargers are usually responsible for overheating issues. So if your MacBook Pro tends to get hot while being charged, make sure your charger is not at fault. Try to charge your MacBook using another charger. If your MacBook doesn’t get hot this time around, you need to replace the charger.
2. Restart Your MacBook
If your macOS Monterey device continues to overheat, restart your machine. Click on the Apple logo at the top left corner of the screen and choose Restart from the drop-down menu. Now, use your device for some time to check if the problem is fixed.
3. Declutter Your MacBook
If you find your macOS Monterey device overheating after trying the above steps, it’s time to declutter your machine. If you haven’t cleaned up your laptop storage for a while, there is a good chance that the cluttered storage is behind the overheating issue.
To put it simply. When a MacBook’s storage gets clogged up, it starts to run slowly, leading to additional issues like battery drain and overheating. Therefore, it’s better to clean up the storage from time to time. To get started with the cleanup drive, navigate to the Apple menu at the top left -> About This Mac -> Storage tab -> Manage. Now, take a close look at the storage consumption and get rid of everything you no longer need.
4. Keep your macOS updated
Apple often releases software updates to fix various issues they may address and fix your Monterey overheating problem.
- Click on Apple Logo () From Top Mac Menu.
- Next, click on the System Preferences option.
- Now, go to Software Update > Download and Install Latest Software on Mac.
5. Leave Your MacBook Alone For A While
I understand this might look like a cliché fix, however, there’s a real benefit to leaving your MacBook alone for a couple of hours. If the update was only recently done, chances are the Monterey is still fully integrating your personal data into the operating system.
This is a very common occurrence that even happens with software updates on other Apple devices. If you have a couple of hours to spare, you can leave your MacBook somewhere cold so that it doesn’t overheat even more while it runs any necessary background processes.
At the same time, now would be a perfect opportunity to take a break from all the technical support you’ve been doing.
6. Use your Mac on a flat surface
Do not place your MacBook Pro on any soft surface, like on your bed, pillow, or blanket. This will block the airflow. Placing your device on a cloth surface may completely block the overflow.
7. Clean airflow vents on your Mac.
Dirt may cause your macOS Monterey device to overheat. Turn off your MacBook. And unplug from the power adapter. And gently clean your Mac.
Furthermore, find the vents on your Mac and you may use canned air to remove the dust from the vents. The MacBook Pro has vents on its side and back and the MacBook Air has vents on its back. Try to blow away any debris.
8. Quit apps you are not using.
Quit apps, when you are not using them. The more apps are open at the same time, the greater the odds are that your macOS Monterey device will overheat. You can try to force quit the app by either of the following:
- Go to Apple menu > Force Quit.
- Press 3 keys at the same time: ESC, Option and Command. Select your app, then select Force Quit.
9. Resort to the Activity Monitor to Detect and Delete Resource Hogs
You may use the Activity Monitor (Applications / Utilities) app to figure that which apps are using the most CPU resources. When you open the app, click the CPU tab.
If you find a process using a large amount of CPU, then you may want to select it by clicking and then click the Quit icon to quit the process.
10. Turn on low power mode
Turning on low power mode may help you with your Monterey heating problem.
- Open System Preferences.
- Select the Battery pane.
- In the left column, click Power Adapter. Check the box for Low power mode if you want to use it while your MacBook is connected to the power adapter. Your Mac will presumably run cooler and quieter when enabled.
11. Test your fans
Is it possible that you may have a hardware problem? You may use Apple Hardware / Diagnostics Test which may reveal hardware problems with the cooling or fan. Here is how you can do this:
- Disconnected all external peripherals from your MacBook except your mouse and power connection.
- Place your Mac on a hard surface.
- Turn off your Mac by going to the Apple menu > Shut Down.
- Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the D key. Keep holding the D key until you see the language screen.
- Select your language.
- Your Mac will perform the diagnostics. It will take a few minutes to complete. If your Mac finds any problems, the reports and possible solutions will be reported. The report will reveal if the fan and temperature sensors are working correctly.
12. Reset SMC
The SMC controls power, lights and sensor functions on your MacBook. Resetting can fix a variety of issues.
To reset the SMC, Shutdown/power off your MacBook.
Press and hold 3 keys: Shift, Control and Option.
Press and hold the power button, without releasing the other 3 keys.
Hold all keys for 10 seconds, then release.
Press the power button on your Mac.
13. Contact Apple Support
Lastly, if non of the above tip fixed your problem, it might be the right time to contact Apple’s customer support team. Letting them know all the methods you’ve tried will help them troubleshoot your problem and assist you from here onwards.
Here’s how you can contact Apple support. You can also make a Genius Bar reservation.
Do you have an iOS device? In that case, you may also be interested in taking a look at some of the basic troubleshooting steps you should follow if your iPhone is overheating after iOS 15 update.
MacBook Pro overheating after macOS Monterey update: Problem Fixed!
We hope the above tips fixed the overheating problem you’re having on your MacBook Pro after updating to macOS Monterey. If you have any questions or clarifications, drop a comment and let us know.