Recently, a number of users have reported that their MacBook overheats unexpectedly after the macOS Monterey update. At times, the laptop becomes so hot that you need to shut it down immediately. Having faced this issue myself on my MacBook Air, I can confirm that it has been a worrisome problem in macOS 12. So, what are the solutions to fix the MacBook overheating issue after installing the macOS 12 Monterey update? Well, I have listed a few viable tips and tricks that work in preventing your MacBook from getting too hot. So, make sure to give them a try before knocking on the door of Apple Support.
Fix Overheating Issue on MacBook After macOS Monterey Update (2021)
Considering the nature of the issue, let’s first take a quick look at the reasons that could be causing your MacBook to overheat! Once that’s done, we will look at the ways to fix this common macOS Monetrey problem.
What Causes Overheating on Your MacBook Running macOS Monterey?
Though it’s not unusual to have overheating issues on aging MacBooks after a software update, it can become a concern if they persist for several days. More so when your relatively new device tends to get hot frequently. From what I can tell, the MacBook overheating problem in macOS Monterey could be due to three major reasons.
Less Capable Hardware
If your MacBook hardware is less capable, it will have a hard time handling the latest software. Whenever there is a confrontation between worn-out hardware and Apple’s newest software with modern features, you will most likely end up facing annoying issues like overheating, sluggishness, and the terrible battery drain issue on macOS.
While it’s always a pleasure to be on the bleeding edge of technology, you should never lose sight out of the downside, especially when you are dealing with old hardware (5-6 years old).
Cluttered Storage
Cluttered storage is detrimental to the health of a MacBook (or any device, for that matter). Things like app backups, storage-hogging files, outdated software, ever-lingering malware, piles of useless screenshots/ images, and videos can take a toll even on modern hardware – let alone a decade-old device. So yeah, you need to keep your MacBook storage uncluttered to keep it from overheating after the latest macOS Monterey update.
Random Software Bug
A few years back, I would think twice before putting the blame on software bugs for most issues on my MacBook. However, the landscape has changed dramatically in the last few years. So much so that macOS (along with iOS) is now branded as a hotbed of bugs. Seriously, I’m not kidding on this one. If you facing issues with your iPhone after the iOS 15 update, go through our dedicated iOS 15 common problems and solutions guide right away!
Best Tips to Fix MacBook Overheating Issue in macOS Monterey
Now that we have recognized the usual suspects, it’s time to look for possible solutions to troubleshoot the MacBook overheating issue.
1. Make Sure to Force Quit Inactive Apps
If an app is no longer in use, be sure to force quit it. It is done to prevent an app from continuously running in the background and eating up your battery unnecessarily. To do that, follow the steps below:
- Click on the Apple menu at the upper left corner of the screen and choose Force Quit. After that, select the apps you want to close and click Force Quit.
2. Update All Apps
There are multiple reasons why you should keep apps updated. For those uninitiated, updated apps are better optimized, more secure, and also drain less battery. Considering the fact that MacBook battery drain and overheating issues are interconnected, make sure to update all apps on macOS Monterey from time to time.
- Head over to the Mac App Store -> Updates section. Then, either update all apps at once or do it one by one, as per your convenience.
3. Use Safari Instead of Google Chrome
Even though Google Chrome has long been my favorite browser across platforms, including macOS and iOS, I suggest switching to Safari whenever you run into issues like overheating and battery drain. It’s no secret that Chrome is resource-hungry and often proves too much for an aging MacBook.
On the contrary, Safari is more efficient and better optimized for the Apple ecosystem. So, if overheating continues to be a concern on your MacBook running macOS Monterey, try switching to Safari from Chrome. Now, while switching browsers, you might want to bring along all of your bookmarks and saved passwords to Safari. To do that, follow the steps below:
- Fortunately, it’s straightforward to import all the bookmarks and saved passwords from Chrome to Safari. Click File -> Import From -> Google Chrome (or another browser).
4. Ensure That Your Charger is Not Damaged
A damaged or uncertified charger is equally responsible for MacBook overheating issues. Though most chargers claim to have safeguards in place against threats such as overheating and short-circuits, very few of them are able to walk the talk. Therefore, make sure to choose only certified chargers. Besides, you should also ensure that your existing charger is not damaged.
5. Restart Your MacBook
No solution has worked for you until now? Bother not, as we still have a handful of reliable solutions to fix the overheating MacBook issue after installing the macOS Monterey update. This time around, we are going to restart the MacBook. Yes, at times, all you need to prevent the notebook from getting hot is to give it a quick reboot.
- To do that, click the Apple menu icon at the top left corner and choose Restart. Once your notebook restarts, use it for some time to check if it’s still overheating or not. You should have gotten the better of the issue by now.
6. Reset PRAM and NVRAM
If the overheating issue persists on your MacBook, try resetting the PRAM and NVRAM. Since it doesn’t harm any media or personal data, you shouldn’t worry about losing anything.
- First off, shut down your Intel-based MacBook and turn it on.
- Next, hold down the Command, Option, P, and R keys at once immediately after you hear the startup sound.
- Be sure to hold these keys until your notebook reboots and the startup sound is heard again.
Note: Do note that there is no way to reset NVRAM/ PRAM or SMC on the M1/ M1 Pro/M1 Max MacBook Pro. Even though the Apple M1 MacBooks feature parameter memory, Apple hasn’t included any command to reset NVRAM. The Cupertino giant states that the M1 chip is fully equipped to handle the PRAM-related issues.
7. Run Hardware Test
Apple Diagnostics (formerly Apple Hardware Test) can help you check your MacBook for hardware issues. So, try running a hardware test to figure out if there is any issue related to hardware on your Mac.
- First and foremost, shut down your MacBook. Then, ensure that your macOS device is on a flat surface with proper ventilation.
- On Macs with Apple silicon: Turn on your Mac and hold down the power button as your Mac starts up. Release the power button when the startup options (gear icon labeled Options) window appears. After that, press the keyboard shortcut Command (⌘)-D on your keyboard.
- On Macs with Intel processor: Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the D key on the keyboard as the system starts up. Make sure to release the key when the progress bar appears or when you are asked to select a language.
- Now, Apple Diagnostics will start checking your Mac for possible hardware issues. You should see a progress bar on the screen. When the testing is over, Apple Diagnostics will show the results with one or more reference codes.
- If you see PPF001, PPF003, or PPF004, there may be an issue with the fan. Considering how the fan plays a pivotal role in keeping your device’s temperatures in check, there is a high chance that the ill-functioning fan is causing your MacBook to overheat and not the macOS Monterey update. If that’s the case, contact Apple Support for help.
- Now, if you want to repeat the test, click “Run the test again” or press Command-R. To restart your Mac, you need to click Restart or press R.
8. Clean Your MacBook Storage
Cluttered storage is the mother of several issues, including overheating, on MacBooks. So, if you haven’t cleaned up your MacBook storage for a while, there is a good chance that the clogged-up storage is making life difficult for your notebook.
macOS Monterey offers a better way to keep track of the storage consumption and also easily track down the storage-hogging files. Hence, reducing the clutter is never a big deal.
- Click the Apple menu at the top left corner of the screen and choose About This Mac. After that, select the Storage tab and click on Manage.
- Next, macOS Monterey will present a neat breakdown of how the storage is consumed by different categories like Photos, Applications, Messages, Documents, and more. Besides, there is also an option to review the storage-hogging files and remove them with ease.
9. Update Your Mac
Software updates come bundled with plenty of bug fixes and performance improvements. That’s the reason why I always recommend you to keep the software updated to the latest version. If none of the tricks above help fix the overheating issue, the problem could be due to a software bug. Hence, updating the software could resolve the issue.
- Launch the System Preferences app on your Mac and move to the Software Update section. Now, download and install the latest macOS Monterey update.
Pro Tips to Prevent MacBook from Getting Hot
That’s it! Hopefully, your macOS Monterey-backed MacBook has started to behave normally and is no longer overheating like crazy. In most cases, you can prevent your laptop from getting hot by clearing the storage clutter and keeping all your apps updated. If these basic tips don’t work out, you should never fail to run a hardware test to get to the root of the problem. By the way, do you have any questions regarding this issue? If yes, make sure to let us know in the comments section below, and we will help you out.
