Some people have been reporting that after updating to macOS Monterey, their MacBook fans have become noticeably louder.
This is likely due to the fact that the MacBook is continuing to work hard behind the scenes updating the rest of the operating system, including updating apps and re-indexing Finder. This can cause the fans to kick in to help keep the MacBook cool. Hopefully, after a few hours the fans should return to normal.
See also: Rapid macOS Monterey Battery Drain Issue: 10 Pro Fixes to Try
You can’t beat a MacBook when it comes to getting work done in the surroundings of your choice. But portability comes at a cost. Heat buildup is often a problem, thanks to the cramped space inside and the high-capacity batteries.
As soon as things get hot, you’ll find your MacBook fan starts to struggle. But why is your MacBook fan making a noise after Monterey update and how can you make it quieter? Let’s find out.
Why is my Mac fan loud after Monterey?
Having the fans going at high gear isn’t a sign that things are necessarily wrong with your Mac, as the reason they’re installed in the first place is to cool the internal electronic components by increasing the airflow around the components.
If you’re running computationally intensive applications such as the Adobe Creative Suite, photo, and video editing applications, or graphics-intensive games then your Mac will be working very hard, which in turn creates heat. The fan sensor will notice that the temperature is rising and immediately spin up the fans to help keep the system from cooking itself into oblivion. So, if you find the noise levels suddenly increase when you’re compressing a 4K movie about your recent holiday or playing a particularly frantic game of League of Legends, then it’s actually a good thing.
However, if you are experiencing nonstop fan noise after the latest Monterey update, then there are a few Solutions you can try before reaching out to Apple support.
Fix fan noise after upgrade to Monterey
Here are the solutions to a problem with overheating and fan noise after upgrading a MacBook pro from Big Sur to Monterey:
Mac fan loud after Monterey? Check the CPU usage
MacBook fans usually kick in the hardest when your Machine is running the most intensive applications like the one mentioned above. If your computer fans are loud when your PC is idle, that could point to a problem with software or malware. But, if you’re not sure what’s triggering the fans, it’s best to open the Activity Monitor and see the apps that are hogging all of your CPU resources.
To do this, hold the CMD key and press the Space Bar to open Spotlight. Now search for Activity Monitor and select it from the list that appears.
Make sure that the CPU tab is selected, then look to see which apps are at the top of the %CPU column.
Once you’ve identified tasks that are using unreasonable amounts of CPU, click on it in the Activity Monitor. click the X button in the top left corner which will quit the process. Wait a few minutes for the fans to wind down and to examine how quitting the process affects your machine.
Mac fan loud after Monterey? Check your room temperature
It’s important to consider environmental factors when diagnosing a problem with fans. If it’s a hot day and there is no airconditioning in your home, or if you’ve got the heating whacked up in your room, then the ambient temperature could have a detrimental effect on the performance of your Mac.
Ideally the room temperature should be between 10 to 35 degrees Celsius. Move to another room or stop using your Mac if the area you are in is hotter than 35 degrees.
This could be even more challenging when using intensive software, as it’s much harder for the fans to cool down the computer if the room temperature itself is high.
If you can open a window, turn down the thermostat, or use a room fan to move air around, then your iMac, Mac mini or other Mac should be able to cope a little better.
Mac fan loud after Monterey? Make sure the air can circulate
Where you place your MacBook is important, as it can determine whether or not your Device fans have the right airflow to keep your machine cool. You aren’t likely to stick your MacBook fans by a heater or radiator, but you may place your MacBook in a desk cupboard, with the fans stuck at the back.
This is bad for your MacBook, as it offers a more limited supply of air to your fans, which causes the air around it to heat up quickly. Hotter air means a hotter MacBook, the harder your fans will have to work to keep your MacBook cool, which will lead to louder MacBook fans. The same principle applies to a Mac placed on surfaces that can block your fans.
Give your MacBook fans enough air to do their job, and you should see a cooler Mac (and quieter fans) as a result.
Mac fan noisy after Monterey? Check your vents are clear of blockages
Another reason your fans could be going at high gear is if the vents themselves are blocked, as this will make it difficult for hot air to leave the interior of the Machine. On a MacBook Pro, vents are located along the back edge (where the display hinges are situated) and the side edges just beyond the USB-C ports, while MacBook Air vents are all located along the top edge of the chassis near the hinges.
If you own a Mac mini, you should check the underside of the Machine, as this is where cooler air is drawn into the chassis. In addition, make sure that the vents at the back are clear so that the heated air can be safely dispelled.
If you own an iMac or iMac Pro, you should check the vents at the back and bottom edge, while the Mac Pro has vents on the front and back.
Make sure that these areas aren’t blocked by items on your desk or a cushion if you’re working on the sofa. You could try using a hoover to remove any build-up of fluff or dust, but be sure to keep the nozzle a little distance away from the device casing to avoid any damage.
Mac fan noisy after Monterey? Make sure you are using an official adapter
You should also be using an Apple adaptor, and Apple recommends that you plug your adaptor into the MacBook before plugging it into the mains.
Mac fan noisy after Monterey? Reset the SMC
If you have done all of this and are still having trouble with your loud fans, then consider resetting the SMC (System Management Controller) .This is generally seen as a bit of a last resort for fixing most Mac problems before heading to the Apple Store.
How can I clean my Mac’s fans?
As your fans draw in air, they bring other contaminants into your MacBook. Just like a bookcase will gather dust without a wipe and polish every now and again, your MacBook fans will likely get louder and louder if you aren’t giving them a full clean once in a while.
If you feel confident taking your MacBook apart, this will give you full access to clean your fans, but only do this if you’re sure (and you don’t void your warranty in the process). Whether you’re using a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air or Mac mini, you can use an air duster, compressed air, or special electric air duster vacuum to remove built-up dust.
This is easier to do. If you’re handy with a screwdriver (you’ll need a pentalobe one) and have a can of compressed air to hand, you can take to bottom off of a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air or Mac mini and give it a few quick blasts of air to dislodge any detritus that has taken up residence inside the case and fans.
Be very careful not to catch any wires or touch any of the circuitry, as you don’t want a static charge to blow any of the processors or other important components. It’s also worth giving Apple a quick ring to check that this won’t void your warranty.
With the dust removed, your fans should have to work a little less hard to cool your Mac, resulting in a quieter MacBook overall (if the fans are working correctly).
Regular MacBook Maintenance
A loud MacBook fan is usually caused by dust and dirt, so get out the compressed air cans and give your MacBook a quick blast of clean air to clean them as part of your regular MacBook routine. Loud MacBook fans are overworked fans, which could impact the overall performance of your Mac.
If all else fails, take your MacBook Pro to a nearby Apple Genius Bar to have it serviced and professionally cleaned.
See also: Apps Crashing on macOS Monterey? 12 Fixes to Try
We hope this guide helped walk you through some of the easiest ways to fix loud fans after Monterey update. If yours are still loud even after trying a few of our solutions, it’s probably best to have it professionally examined at an Apple Store. Especially if your Mac is newer or under an Apple Care warranty, you probably won’t pay very much and you’ll be able to use your Mac in silence again.
If you have any of your own methods for fixing the fan noise on your MacBook Pro after macOS Monterey update, we’d love to hear them! Drop a comment below or tell us how our methods worked for you.