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Is your Mac sluggish or running hot? Here’s what to do

It’s happened to you, probably many times over the years: you’re using Safari, and it starts to feel like molasses. You’re working among several apps, and you start to have to wait for seconds or longer as you switch between them, adding frustration. Or you touch your laptop, and say, “Yowch!”–it’s much hotter than expected.

What’s going on? The complex interplay of Mac hardware, macOS software, third-party background utilities and add-ons, and foreground apps can result in unexpected outcomes, like CPUs running hot, memory crunches, and sluggish performance. You can’t always pull one thread and untangle the problem. But you can pursue a few straightforward strategies to make things better without wasting lots of time. Try these actions the next time your Mac acts up.

We also have these articles that might be helpful: Why is my Mac fan so loud? How to fix an overheating Mac and How to check your Mac’s internal temperature and keep it cool .

Quit and relaunch your browser

Think back to the days in which browsers had windows only, no tabs, and didn’t automatically reopen tabs and windows after a restart. You could lose so much research progress. That’s far in the past, and now there’s essentially no penalty to quitting and relaunching.

Browsers can experience memory leaks, in which they allocate some of your Mac’s volatile or active memory (RAM) and don’t release it when they’re finished. This can happen in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and others–Chrome was once a notable memory leaker and has gotten better, but Safari often swells, too. I’ve found sometimes that a single non-foreground tab might be burning 1GB, according to Activity Monitor, your best friend when it comes to examining system resource usage.

Make sure you will have your tabs and windows reloaded:

In Safari, make sure that Safari > Preferences > General has “Safari opens with” set to “All windows from last session.”
In Chrome, go to Chrome > Settings > On Startup and choose “Continue where you left off.”
In Firefox, go to Firefox > Preferences > General and check “Open previous windows and tabs.”

Make sure you retain your open tabs and windows before relaunching Safari (or any browser).

If your browser is sluggish or you’re having a system-wide problem, quit and relaunch the browser and see if things get better. I’ve found that solves my problems a good three-quarters of the time.

Find the culprit

The Activity Monitor app takes underlying system technical data and presents it in a much more friendly fashion. (Find it in Applications > Utilities .) In Activity Monitor, I look primarily to the CPU, Memory, and Energy tabs to figure out when macOS or a single app is slow, or I’m having peculiar problems with responsiveness.

Click a column head in each tab to sort by the worst offender. In CPU, click % CPU until the arrow next to it is pointing down. In Memory, click the Memory column. In Energy, click the Energy Impact column.

If your Mac is responding poorly, CPU and Memory can help. You might see the app you’re using or another app using a tremendous percentage of current CPU activity or a lot of memory. The chart at the bottom of the window shows overall load compared to available computational power for CPU, and overall memory in use for Memory. If macOS needs more memory than it has in the form of RAM, it can swap not-in-use parts of apps and data to the SSD, resulting in higher “memory pressure,” which is color-coded in that tab’s chart.

The Energy tab can also be a useful tool in identifying an app consuming lots of resources and if you’re wondering why your laptop’s battery is draining so quickly.

One evening my M1 MacBook Air was nearly scalding to the touch, even though it had been sleeping. Checking Activity Monitor led me to a tiny app that had, for no reason, gone out of control. I quit it, and it hasn’t tried to use that much CPU power since.

Double-click the Safari item in Memory and you can see all the bytes required for each open tab, even if it’s not active.

Try switching to a troublesome app and using File > Quit to exit. If it’s a utility, bring up its menu item and choose Quit or Exit ; you may have to hold down the Option key while choosing the menu, or bring up another dialog to exit the app. If that fails, you can force quit the app or menu bar utility:

Press Command-Option-Esc, select the app, and click Force Quit .
Hold down the Option key and Control-click/right-click the app’s icon on the Dock and choose Force Quit .
In Activity Monitor, select the item in the list and click the X in an octagon icon at the left end of the toolbar. When prompted, click Quit to try a normal app exit or Force Quit if that doesn’t work.

Use the Force Quit Applications dialog to kill apps quickly.

This may alleviate the problem instantly, and you can get back to work (or fun).

If you’d like to monitor system usage and receive automated alerts while seeing CPU and other statuses at a glance, I recommend buying either TG Pro ( Tunabelly Software, $10 ) or iStat Menus ( Bjango, $11.99 ), both of which are Macworld Gems .

Restart your Mac

It sometimes seems like Mac users feel that restarting their computer is a moral failing, a blight on Apple, or a huge time waster. While I can’t absolve Apple of falling short of perfection, I would like to absolve you of shame and disabuse you of concerns about time.

As with Safari, macOS has come a long way in dealing with both intentional and forced restarts. Typically, most apps store data as you’re making changes or you’ve internalized the Command-S shortcut to save frequently.

When you choose  > Restart , you can opt to check “Reopen windows when logging back in,” which automatically reopens all apps when the system comes back up, almost always restoring you to their previous working state, either because of built-in defaults or because they consult the system-wide preference at  > System Preferences > Desktop & Dock (disable “Close windows when quitting an application”). Some apps may require that you manually reopen project files.

Ensure your Mac will reopen your apps after restart by checking that box.

The time it takes to restart and be back to a functioning macOS, all ready to go, has dropped substantially over the last decade. I can remember a time that it might take as long as 15 minutes for the restart, plus all the apps and background utilities loading and settling down. If it worked, which it didn’t always.

With a late-model Intel Mac with an SSD startup volume or any M-series Mac, you will likely lose about 1 to 2 minutes before you’re ready to go. That’s a worthwhile investment if you’re cursing at your screen or waiting seconds for actions to complete that should happen instantly.

I have recently hit the point a few times with Sonoma (though not with the very latest update, fortunately) where something went deeply off-track in macOS. Not only did apps not fully quit when exited (normally or via Force Quit), but the menu-based restart failed. Remember that, in those circumstances, you’ve got two fallback plans if you can’t restart normally. Warning : Both options instantly restart your Mac, so you may lose unsaved data if all your apps have saved their files or ones with unsaved data are unresponsive.

If you can launch Terminal, do so and type sudo reboot plus Return, then enter your password when prompted.
Failing that, hold down the power button on your Mac for about 10 seconds or until you see it shut off, such as its power indicator becoming unlit. Wait just a couple of seconds, then press the button to start up.

Ask Mac 911

We’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered. If not, we’re always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours to [email protected] , including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered, we don’t reply to email, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.

Besides email, you can submit your question to Mac 911 via the form below.

Submit your question to Mac 911

Author: glenn fleishman , contributor.

Glenn Fleishman’s most recent books include Take Control of iOS and iPadOS Privacy and Security, Take Control of Calendar and Reminders, and Take Control of Securing Your Mac. In his spare time, he writes about printing and type history. He’s a senior contributor to Macworld, where he writes Mac 911.

10 Safari Mac Browser Tips to Boost Speed and Performance

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Safari generally provides the fastest and most efficient browsing experience for Mac users. Apple puts a lot of work into optimizing the browser's performance and energy consumption specifically for Apple hardware.

Unfortunately, this doesn't always hold up over time. Safari can become slow, bloated, and unresponsive like any other browser. Let's take a look at how to speed up Safari on your Mac in case this happens to you.

1. Update and Restart Your Mac

Restarting your computer fixes many of life's problems, including a slow browser. It should always be your first troubleshooting step for such issues. Open the Apple menu and select Restart to do so.

Once your Mac boots up, it's also worth installing any outstanding app updates , which you can find by going to App Store > Updates .

2. Close Unneeded Tabs

How many tabs do you have open right now? And how many of those tabs do you really need? Safari keeps many of your tabs active in the background, even if you're not using them. One of the easiest ways to speed up Safari on your Mac is by simply closing tabs.

If you're particularly protective of your browser session, try an extension like Tab Suspender . This allows you to suspend your open tabs to save processing power.

3. Clear the Cache and Temporary Files

Like almost all browsers, Safari keeps a cache of data from all the websites you visit. This takes up disk space, which can contribute to performance problems. It's always a good idea to blow away Safari's cobwebs once in a while by emptying the cache, particularly if you need to improve the browser's performance.

To clear your Safari cache:

Launch Safari and click Safari > Preferences in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
Click on the Advanced tab, then check Show Develop menu in menu bar at the bottom of the window.
Close the Preferences window and click Develop > Empty Caches in the menu bar at the top of the screen.

4. Disable Thirsty Extensions

Safari has some excellent extensions available to install, but sometimes they do more harm than good by slowing everything down. This is particularly true for extensions that directly affect the browsing experience. A good example is TamperMonkey ($1.99), which changes how websites appear and behave with user scripts.

To isolate extension-related slowdown, try disabling all your extensions under Safari > Preferences > Extensions . To disable an extension, uncheck the box next to its name.

You can then try re-enabling extensions one by one to find the culprit.

Disabling extensions in this manner doesn't remove them. You'll need to click the Uninstall button in each entry on the Extensions tab to completely remove Safari extensions .

5. Restrict Plug-Ins and Website Access

Apple has been working to eliminate plug-ins from Safari, but they might still cause your browser to slow down on rare occasions. This is most likely if you're running an older version of Safari.

It's best to ensure plug-ins ask you before Safari starts running them. The same goes for allowing access to your Mac's camera, microphone, screen sharing, and other security settings.

Go to Safari > Preferences > Websites to see which websites have requested access to your Mac. Work through each item in the sidebar and disable access for any websites that don't need it. We particularly recommend disabling auto-play.

In older versions of Safari, you should also go to Safari > Preferences > Security > Plug-In Settings . Make sure plug-ins are set to Ask before they start running. Disable any you don't need by unchecking them. These settings aren't available in newer versions of Safari.

6. Upgrade macOS

Yearly macOS upgrades include new versions of Safari. If you don't install the latest version of macOS, you won't have the latest version of Safari. New versions of Safari mean better compatibility with the latest web technologies.

Apple's tweaking under the hood often results in faster rendering times and a speedier browser experience overall.

There's also something to be said for upgrading your operating system since many underlying issues with your Mac get patched up along the way.

To update macOS, open the Apple menu and go to System Preferences > Software Update .

7. Identify Dodgy Websites and Crashed Tabs

Safari can slow to a crawl as a result of a single problematic website. Websites can crash for all sorts of reasons, including too many scripts, auto-playing advertisements, rogue extensions, and malfunctioning embeds. Occasionally, this can bring your whole Mac to a grinding halt.

Sometimes these pages consume more than their fair share of resources; other times they crash entirely and leave you with the spinning pinwheel of death. To rectify the situation:

Launch Activity Monitor under Applications > Utilities .
On the CPU tab, click on the Process Name column to arrange processes by name and find Safari .
Now look at the % CPU column and systematically close your Safari tabs to see which ones have the biggest impact on your CPU usage.

8. Make Sure You Have Enough Free Space

A lack of free space on your disk can have devastating consequences for your Mac's overall performance. A Mac with limited free space is more likely to freeze, stutter, and crash. This can cause your whole system to run slowly, but Safari is often one of the first apps to buckle as individual resource-intensive tabs become unresponsive.

For best results, maintain a healthy buffer of 10GB or more of free space. Follow our tips for freeing up space on your Mac if you run out of options.

9. Fix Other macOS Performance Problems

Boosting overall system performance also speeds up Safari on your Mac. This is because there are fewer resources tied up in non-critical tasks, so more of them are available for Safari.

Take a look at these common mistakes that might slow down your Mac . They include having too many apps running in the background or starting up at login, which you can change by going to System Preferences > Users > Login Items .

10. Check for Network Connection Problems

If your internet connection is slow, Safari will also feel slow. To isolate connection problems, find out how to test your internet connection speed to see if that's to blame.

You might need to change your DNS settings to fix it, which you can do by going to System Preferences > Network > Advanced > DNS . Use Google's Namebench to find the fastest DNS settings for your network.

Keep a Backup Browser Installed Just in Case

Although you can follow all the tips above to speed up Safari on your Mac, it's also worth keeping a backup browser installed as well. These are useful to have for stubborn websites that aren't optimized for Safari or in case you need to use a browser extension that's only available on one browser.

Safari Browser

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7 gadgets every digital nomad should know about, retro consoles look bad on modern tvs, here's why and how to fix it, quick links, how to tell when your mac is overheating, make sure your mac can cool itself properly, be mindful of thirsty software, your gpu could also be to blame, fans spinning constantly reset smc, eliminate dust buildup by cleaning your mac, important: is your mac hot and quiet, understand what causes a hot mac.

An overheating Mac is loud, hot to the touch, and often slow or unresponsive. Heat is notoriously bad for computer hardware, so keeping things cool might help prolong the life of your MacBook, iMac, or Mac Pro.

There are several tell-tale signs that your Mac is running unusually hot. The most obvious is that the Mac feels hot to the touch, particularly on the underside of the chassis if you have a MacBook.

While your Mac is hot, you should expect the fans to attempt to cool it down. This means you will hear considerable fan noise when your machine is under load. Under extreme load, it's not unusual for your Mac to sound like it is about to take off.

The computer should never be too hot to touch, though certain processes may make it uncomfortably warm, particularly if it's a laptop that you are using on your lap. Remember that heat is a normal part of your Mac's operation, and loud whirring fans means the machine is operating as normal in an attempt to cool itself down.

What isn't normal is a hot silent Mac, which could suggest that fans have failed. Loud rattling noises are also a red flag and usually occur when bearings in the cooling mechanism work their way loose.

You can also use a small app like smcFanControl to place a widget in your menu bar that displays how hot your Mac is running inside the case. Generally speaking, around 90ºc (194ºF) isn't unusual for a Mac under heavy load, but you want to keep things below 95ºc (203ºF).

Ultimately, you shouldn't need to worry about cooling your Mac manually (though there are things you can do to help). macOS will temporarily underclock your processor to reduce heat, a process known as thermal throttling. There are some things you can do to help reduce this happening.

You don't necessarily need to be doing anything for your Mac to heat up. If the ambient temperature is hot enough, your Mac will reflect this by running the fans for longer and at higher speeds. If you're outside on a hot sunny day and you're feeling warm, there's a good chance your MacBook is, too.

Pay close attention to the bottom and rear of your Mac laptop, if you have one. This is where your machine intakes and exhausts air, and these vents form a vital part of the cooling system. If your Mac can't "breathe," then it can't cool down sufficiently either.

For example, the MacBook Pro sucks in cool air on the bottom of the machine near the right and left edges of the chassis. It exhausts hot air out of the back, behind the display hinge. If you are blocking these vents, your Mac will get hot even under regular load.

Be careful when using your Mac on soft materials, like your lap or a bed. Sheets and clothing can easily interfere with air intakes, so it's best to put your MacBook on a solid surface. This could be a desk, or it could be a wooden tray or a large book on a bed.

Laptop coolers (like this one from Thermaltake ) can help cool down a MacBook that's struggling in the heat. These take the form of metal stands with integrated fans. The metal acts as a heatsink, helping to disperse heat through conduction while the fans provide active cooling. You'll need a spare USB port to use a cooler like this.

The Central Processing uUnit (CPU) is the brain of your computer. The more you tax the CPU by running apps, copying files, and multitasking, the more heat is generated. As the heat builds up, the fans kick in to disperse the heat.

You can keep the heat down by avoiding processes that generate a high load, like rendering video or playing 3D games. Using lightweight alternatives to apps like Photoshop can certainly help, too. Switching from a resource hog browser like Chrome back to Safari may help. Even remembering to quit a heavyweight app when you're done with it can do wonders.

Sometimes, rogue processes end up consuming way too much CPU for an extended time period. This could be caused by a particularly resource-heavy process, or it could be a case of an app crashing. If your fans have been spinning for a while and your Mac is slow or unresponsive, you should check your running processes using Activity Monitor.

Warning: We only recommend this if your Mac is slow, unresponsive, and is overheating. While you can't necessarily break anything by doing this ( essential system services will just restart themselves ), you might feel more comfortable simply restarting your Mac instead.

Launch Activity Monitor on your Mac either by searching for it with Spotlight , or by launching it under Applications > Utilities. Under the "CPU" tab is a list of currently running processes. Click on the "% CPU" column to organize it by descending order, which will put the most taxing processes at the top of the list.

If any processes appear red or are followed by a "(Not responding)" label, then they have crashed. You can wait a while to see if they're coming back, or you could just click on the process, then use the "X" button at the top of the screen to kill the process.

Sometimes, apps haven't quite crashed but are still using more than their fair share of CPU power. This is often the case with tabs on particularly resource-intensive websites. If you know for sure you aren't using the tab or application for anything important, you can select it then use the "X" button to kill it.

Be careful not to kill any processes you are still using. It's normal for certain activities to use a lot of CPU power, for example when you're rendering a video, running Automator scripts, installing software updates, and so on. Before you kill a process, double-check it's not mission-critical before you do so.

Some processes are persistent, like "kernel_task" which is essentially your operating system performing housekeeping duties. If this process ramps up, it's likely that your computer is doing something important in the background . For especially stubborn processes, you can always try restarting your Mac.

While the CPU deals with the vast majority of computing tasks, the Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) handles the more visual tasks. GPUs are designed with different workloads in mind, and can offer a huge boost in performance when it comes to 3D and 2D rendering.

This includes activities like playing 3D games, rendering video, manipulating 3D objects in apps like Photoshop or Blender, and using some web technologies like WebGL. Not all Macs have a dedicated graphics processor, particularly lower-end notebooks like the MacBook Air and 13" MacBook Pro.

There's not a lot you can do about a hot GPU beyond avoiding activities that use your GPU. Remember, it's perfectly normal for your GPU to heat up under load, and for the fans to ramp up considerably to deal with it.

The only thing you really need to worry about is whether your GPU is getting too hot. This will cause problems with your computer around 3D and other GPU-related tasks. You might get random restarts and freezes, or even see strange colors and glitchy graphics when trying to render 3D environments.

If you're seeing issues like that, it might be a good idea to run some hardware diagnostics or book the machine in for repair.

The System Management Controller (SMC) is responsible for managing aspects of your Mac including power, battery and charging, sensors and indicator lights, and thermal management features like fans. Sometimes, the SMC needs to be reset, and one tell-tale sign is fans that just won't shut up.

This is different from a CPU or GPU under load. Fans exhibiting this issue spin loudly all the time, regardless of how hot or cold your machine is. On a MacBook, it should be obvious to the touch when a Mac isn't hot enough to warrant loud fan noise. On an iMac or Mac Pro, you can download a free app like smcFanControl or premium app like iStatMenus to monitor the temperature.

Resetting the SMC certainly can't hurt your Mac, so it's worth a try if this is an issue you're encountering. The instructions for doing that vary, depending on your specific model. Find out what you need to do to reset your Mac's SMC here .

If your computer is getting a bit long in the tooth, there's a good chance that dust is starting to build up inside the chassis. Dust gets stuck to fans, heatsinks, and other cooling components and stops them from working efficiently. Your machine will run hotter over time as the airflow lessens due to dust gathering.

The answer for any older machine that's running hot for no particular reason is to clean it. You can do this by opening up the machine, cleaning out the dust with compressed air, then sealing it back up again.

Keep in mind that Apple's computers have particular cooling systems and layouts. It's not hard to locate the cooling fans inside a MacBook , and the cleaning process is just like any other laptop . You could follow a general computer dusting guide for your iMac, but you're probably better off using something more specific instead.

iFixit is a great resource for these occasions. Many models of iMac, Mac Pro, and even Mac mini have guides on how to open the chassis, clean dust, replace parts, and put it all back together again.

Remember: Static electricity kills computers. Make sure you understand how to ground yourself if you're going to be poking around under the hood.

If you have an issue where your Mac is hot but the fans aren't spinning, we'd first recommend you reset your SMC as described in the "Fans Spinning Constantly? Reset SMC" section above. Failing that, it's possible that your cooling system has died completely.

If this is the case, you should cease using your computer immediately and take it in for repair. Using a Mac without adequate cooling could result in permanent damage. At the very least, your computer will randomly restart as the various components reach temperatures they were never designed to operate at.

By understanding why your Mac gets hot, you can take measures to prevent it from doing so. Most of the time this involves killing a few processes or relocating from the bed to the desk.

Software can cause your Mac to heat up, and it can also cause your Mac to slow down, too. Learn how to fix an unresponsive Mac to keep things running smoothly.

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Why Is Safari Running Slow on Mac? 15 Ways to Fix

Hashir Ibrahim

Reviewed by

Last updated: September 25, 2023

Expert verified

Safari may run slowly on Mac due to opening too many tabs, using too many extensions, cache build-up, outdated Safari version, outdated macOS, slow internet connection, hardware limitations, and malware or adware.

Fixing these issues through updating software, managing tabs, clearing cache, and removing unnecessary extensions can improve Safari’s speed and performance on a Mac.

Managing open tabs and removing unnecessary extensions can free up valuable resources and enhance Safari’s performance.
Regularly updating Safari and macOS ensures optimal compatibility and access to performance improvements.
Clearing accumulated cache, cookies, and browsing history can give Safari a fresh start and improve loading times.
Advanced solutions like switching DNS providers and booting in Safe Mode can address more complex issues affecting Safari’s speed.

Ever found yourself drumming your fingers in frustration as Safari lags on your Mac? A slow browser can turn even the most basic online tasks into a tedious affair.

If Safari is running slow on your Mac, I’ve got your back. Dive into this guide to uncover the mysteries behind Safari running slow on Mac and explore practical solutions to get you back in the fast lane. Ready to turbocharge your browsing experience? Let’s get started!

Before We Begin

If you want to make Safari run faster on your Mac, download MacKeeper. This tool clears up RAM, removes unnecessary Safari extensions, deletes unneeded files, and more. All these features help speed up a slow-running Safari.

Why Is Safari Running Slow on Mac?

Safari running slow on Mac can be due to various reasons. Below, I’ve shared the most common reasons for Safari’s sluggishness on your Mac:

🖥️ Too Many Tabs or Windows Open : Having numerous tabs or windows open can consume a lot of memory and slow down Safari.
🧩 Heavy Use of Extensions : Some Safari extensions can use a lot of resources, causing the browser to slow down.
🍪 Cache and Browsing Data : Accumulated cache, cookies, and browsing history can impact Safari’s performance.
⌛ Outdated Safari Version : Running an outdated version of Safari can lead to performance issues.
🍎 Outdated macOS : An outdated operating system can cause compatibility issues and slow down Safari.
🌐 Internet Connection Issues : An unstable or slow internet connection on Mac can affect browsing speed.
💻 Hardware Limitations : Older Mac models with limited RAM and processing power may struggle to run Safari efficiently.
🦠 Malware or Adware : Malicious software can significantly degrade the performance of Safari.

Addressing these issues through updating software, managing tabs, clearing cache, and removing unnecessary extensions can improve Safari’s speed and performance on a Mac.

How to Fix Safari Running Slow on Mac

A sluggish Safari on your Mac can be quite a bottleneck, especially during important online tasks. The good news is, there’s no need to let a slow browser rain on your parade. In this section, I’ll walk you through various solutions to bring Safari back to its optimal speed.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of boosting your Safari browser’s performance on your Mac.

1. Check Your Internet Speed

Before diving into more complex solutions, ensuring that your internet connection isn’t the culprit behind Safari’s sluggishness is essential. A slow or unstable internet connection can significantly impact your browsing experience.

To test your internet connection, follow these steps:

Open Safari on your Mac.

Navigate to an online speed test tool like Speedtest.net .
Click the Go button to start the test.

on the speed test website click the go button

This will give you an idea of your current internet speed.
Pay attention to the download and upload speeds. If they are significantly lower than what your Internet plan promises, there might be an issue with your connection.
If your internet speed is slow, reset your router. Unplug it from the power source, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait for it to restart and retest your internet speed.
If resetting doesn’t help, try moving closer to the router or removing any obstacles interfering with the signal.
If the above steps don’t improve your internet speed, it might be time to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for further assistance.

2. Force Close and Relaunch Safari

At times, Safari or any of its tabs might encounter errors or issues that consume excessive system resources, leading to slowdowns. Force closing and re-launching Safari can terminate these problematic processes and give the browser a fresh start.

Here’s how to force quit Safari and relaunch it on your Mac:

Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select Force Quit from the drop-down menu.

In the new window, select Safari and click the Force Quit button.

Click Force Quit on the pop-up.

click force quit on the pop up to close safari

After force-closing Safari, wait for a few moments to let the system properly terminate all processes related to the browser.
Find the Safari icon in your Dock and click it to re-launch the browser.
Check if the performance has improved.

3. Close Unwanted Tabs

Each open tab in Safari consumes your Mac’s memory and processing power. Having multiple tabs open, especially those with heavy content or active scripts, can significantly slow down the browser and even the entire system.

Closing unnecessary tabs can free up valuable resources and enhance Safari’s performance. Here’s how to go about it:

Take a look at all the tabs you have open in Safari. Identify which ones are not currently needed or are consuming significant resources.
Click the small x icon on the left of each tab you wish to close.

Alternatively, you can close an active tab using a Mac keyboard shortcut : Command ⌘ + W .

You can also right-click a tab and select Close Tab from the context menu.
After closing unwanted tabs, check if Safari’s performance has improved.

4. Clear Safari History

Over time, Safari accumulates a history of the websites you’ve visited, cached files, and cookies. While these elements are designed to speed up page loading times, they can also clutter your browser and consume system resources, leading to slowdowns.

Clearing your browsing history can give Safari a fresh start and potentially improve its performance. Here’s how to delete Safari’s history on Mac :

If not already open, launch the Safari browser on your Mac.
Click the Safari menu item at the top left of your screen. From the drop-down menu, select Settings .

click safari in the top menu bar and select settings

Select the Advanced tab and check the box next to the Show Develop menu in menu bar if it is unchecked.

check the box next to the show develop menu in menu bar

Return to the menu bar, click Develop , and select Empty Caches from this drop-down list.

After clearing the history, navigate through various websites to check if there is an improvement in Safari’s speed and responsiveness.

5. Clear Safari Cache and Cookies

The cache stores temporary files from websites to help pages load faster in future visits, while cookies save small pieces of information like login details. Over time, these stored files can accumulate and cause Safari to slow down.

Clearing the browser cache on your Mac can free up storage and improve browser speed. Here’s how to clear Safari cache on your Mac :

Launch Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar, then select Settings from the drop-down menu.
In the Settings window, select the Privacy tab and click Manage Website Data .

select the privacy tab and tap the manage website data button

A new window will open, showing a list of websites storing data.
Click Remove All to clear all cookies and cached data. Confirm the action when prompted.

After completing these steps, browse through different websites and assess whether Safari’s performance has improved.

6. Delete Unwanted Extensions

Extensions are additional features or functionalities added to Safari to enhance user experience. However, some extensions can be resource-intensive, causing the browser to slow down. Removing unnecessary or problematic extensions can help in optimizing Safari’s speed.

Here’s how you can delete unwanted extensions on Mac :

Open Safari on your Mac, click the Safari menu in the menu bar and select Settings .
Click the Extensions tab to view all the installed extensions.

click on the extensions tab to view all the installed extensions

Find the extension you want to remove and click it.

find the extension you want to remove and click on it

Click the Uninstall button to confirm that you want to remove the extension.

click the uninstall button to confirm that you want to remove

Alternatively, you can use MacKeeper to remove unwanted extensions from Safari. Here are the steps to follow:

Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
Open MacKeeper and click the Smart Uninstaller option in the left sidebar.

click smart uninstaller in the left sidebar

Click the Start Scan button to scan your computer for installed browser extensions.

Once the scan is complete, click Browser Extensions in the left sidebar and locate the extension you want to remove from the list.

click browser extensions in the left sidebar

Click the checkbox next to the extension you want to remove and tap Remove Selected .

check the extension you want to delete and tap remove selected

Confirm the action by clicking the Remove button in the confirmation dialog box.

Wait for the uninstallation process to complete.
Restart your browser to ensure the extension has been completely removed.

7. Disable Search Engine Suggestions

Search engine suggestions are generated in real-time as you type into the search bar, which can sometimes slow down Safari, especially on slower internet connections or older Mac models. Disabling this feature can reduce the load on Safari and potentially improve its speed.

Here’s how you can disable search engine suggestions on Safari:

Launch Safari, click Safari in the menu bar and select Settings from the drop-down menu.
In the Settings window, click the Search tab.
Uncheck the box next to Include search engine suggestions to disable the feature.

disable search engine suggestions in safari settings

Close the Settings window and test Safari by typing into the search bar to see if there is an improvement in responsiveness.

8. Disable Autofill

Autofill automatically completes forms using stored information, which, while convenient, can sometimes cause Safari to lag, especially if there’s a lot of data stored. Disabling this feature can help Safari run more smoothly.

Here’s how you can disable Autofill on Safari:

In the Settings window, click the Autofill tab.
You will see several options for different types of information that Safari can autofill. Uncheck the boxes next to the types of information you don’t want Safari to autofill.

disable autofill options in safari settings

After making the changes, close the window and restart Safari to apply the adjustments.
With Autofill disabled, navigate to various websites with forms and assess whether there’s an improvement in Safari’s speed and responsiveness.

9. Update Safari

Running an outdated version of Safari can lead to performance issues, as updates often include optimizations and fixes for known bugs. Ensuring Safari is up-to-date can help resolve slowdowns and enhance browser stability.

Here’s how you can update Safari on Mac:

Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select App Store from the drop-down menu.

click the apple menu and select app store

In the App Store, click the Updates tab to view available app updates.

Scroll through the list of updates and look for Safari. If an update is available, it will be listed here.
Click the Update button next to Safari to download and install the latest version.

Once the update is complete, close and restart Safari to apply the changes.
After updating Safari, navigate different websites and assess whether the browser’s performance has improved.

10. Disable DNS Prefetching

DNS prefetching is a feature that pre-resolves domain names before you click a link, aiming to improve page load times. However, this feature can cause Safari to slow down or become unresponsive on some networks. Disabling it can help alleviate these issues.

Here’s how you can disable DNS prefetching:

Navigate to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal to open the Terminal application on your Mac.

In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter :

type a command to disable dns prefetching

Close open Safari windows and relaunch the browser to apply the changes.
Navigate through various websites and evaluate whether disabling DNS prefetching has improved Safari’s speed and responsiveness.

11. Switch DNS Provider

The Domain Name System (DNS) translates website names to IP addresses. Sometimes, the default DNS servers provided by your ISP may be slow or overloaded, affecting your browsing speed. Switching to a faster, more reliable DNS provider can enhance your internet speed and Safari’s performance.

Here’s how you can switch your DNS provider:

Click the Apple logo and select System Settings from the drop-down menu.

In the System Settings window, click Network to access your network settings.

In the Network settings window, click Wi-Fi and tap the Details button next to your active Internet connection.

click on details in front of wifi causing issue

Click the DNS tab in the Advanced Settings window.

in the advanced wi fi settings window select the dns tab

Click the + button below the DNS Servers box.

click the button located below the dns servers box

IPv4 addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
IPv6 addresses (if your network supports it): 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844
If there are existing DNS servers listed, make sure the Google DNS addresses are at the top of the list. You can click and drag the entries to reorder them.
Click the OK button in the DNS Servers window to save the changes.

After switching the DNS provider, open Safari and browse through different websites to check if there’s an improvement in speed and responsiveness.

12. Kill Resource-intensive Processes

Some processes running on your Mac can consume a significant amount of system resources, affecting the overall performance of your computer and, consequently, Safari. Identifying and terminating these resource-intensive processes can free up system resources and improve Safari’s responsiveness.

Here’s how you can kill resource-intensive processes on your Mac :

Open Activity Monitor by going to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor .

In Activity Monitor, you’ll see a list of active processes sorted by their usage of system resources such as CPU, Memory, Energy, Disk, Network, or Cache .
Identify the background process you want to terminate by browsing the list or using the search box at the top-right corner.

Select the process you want to terminate to highlight it, and click the X button in the top toolbar.

click x in the top bar to close a program

Click the Quit button in the confirmation window to terminate the selected process.

click quit on the activity monitor pop up

Alternatively, you can use MacKeeper’s Memory Cleaner to free up RAM on your Mac and kill background processes. Here’s how:

Open MacKeeper and click Memory Cleaner under the Performance tab.

Click Open .

Click Clean Memory .

It will clean your Mac and free up available memory. You can see how much memory it freed under Last Cleanup .

13. Reset Safari to Factory Defaults

Resetting Safari to factory defaults will remove all your settings, history, bookmarks, and other data. It’s like starting fresh with Safari, which can be helpful if the browser’s performance is severely affected by configurations or corrupted data.

Here’s how you can reset Safari to factory defaults:

Before resetting, backup your bookmarks, saved passwords, and any other important data from Safari.
Navigate to the Extensions tab and uninstall all extensions.
Then, go to the Privacy tab and click Manage Website Data to remove all website data.
Close Safari.
Open Finder, click Go , and select Go to Folder .

click go in the menu bar and select go to folder

Type the following path and press Enter :

type library preferences directory in the box

Locate the file named com.apple.Safari.plist and move it to the Bin.

drag the com apple safari plist file to the bin

Open Safari again. It should now be reset to its factory defaults.

14. Scan Your Mac for Virus

Malware and viruses can significantly degrade the performance of your Mac and affect Safari’s functionality. Running a thorough virus scan can identify and remove malicious software, potentially resolving any slowdowns in Safari.

Here’s how to run a virus scan on your Mac using MacKeeper:

Download and install MacKeeper.
Launch MacKeeper and navigate to the Antivirus tab in the left sidebar.

click antivirus under the security section

Initiate an instant virus scan by clicking the Start Scan button.

If any viruses are detected during the scan, click the Fix Items button to resolve the issues.
If your system is threat-free, you’ll see a No threats found message. You can tap the Restart button to run the scan again.

Enable real-time antivirus protection to safeguard your Mac from future threats by clicking the Enable button.

click enable to allow real time protection

Once you have configured your security settings, MacKeeper will continue to operate in the background, diligently scanning for threats and actively blocking any malicious activity.

What Else Can MacKeeper Do?

Besides removing browser extensions from Mac and scanning it for viruses, MacKeeper can remove junk files , uninstall applications , and optimize Mac storage . Check out my in-depth MacKeeper review to learn about all its features.

15. Boot Your Mac Into Safe Mode

Safe Mode starts your Mac in a basic state with only the essential system software. It checks for issues and deletes certain system caches, potentially resolving Safari’s performance problems.

Here’s how to boot your Mac in Safe Mode :

Apple Silicon Macs

Click the Apple icon and choose Shut Down from the drop-down menu.

Wait for your Mac to shut down completely, and press the Power button to turn it on.

Keep holding the Power button until you see the Loading startup options screen.

Select a volume from the options.

Press and hold the Shift ⇧ key and click Continue in Safe Mode .

Your Mac will restart automatically, and you will see Safe Boot in the menu bar when the login screen appears.

Intel-Based Macs

Restart or turn on your Mac and press and hold the Shift ⇧ key immediately.
Keep holding the Shift ⇧ key until you see the login screen.
Release the Shift ⇧ key and log in to your Mac.
You may be asked to log in again.
You’ll see Safe Boot in the menu bar on your first or second login window.

Open Safari and navigate through various websites to assess whether the browser’s performance has improved in Safe Mode. After checking Safari’s performance, restart your Mac normally without holding any keys. This will exit Safe Mode.

Speed Up Safari on Your Mac

Navigating through a sluggish Safari can be a test of patience, but armed with the solutions outlined in this guide, you’re well-equipped to tackle any slowdowns head-on. To improve your Safai experience further, here are some more tips for you:

If your Safari bookmarks disappeared on Mac , many ways exist to restore them without panicking.
If you don’t want Safari to keep your browsing history, go incognito on a Mac in Safari browser .
Some pop-ups can be a nuisance and slow down your browser. So, disable unnecessary pop-ups on Safari and improve its speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will i lose important data by resetting safari to factory defaults.

Yes, you will lose data by resetting Safari to factory defaults. It erases all your settings, history, bookmarks, and saved passwords, so back up important data like bookmarks and passwords before resetting to avoid losing valuable information. After the reset, you can restore the backed-up data as needed.

Is it safe to switch to a different DNS provider?

Yes, it is safe to switch to a different DNS provider like Google DNS or OpenDNS. It can even improve your internet speed and security. However, it’s crucial to ensure the DNS addresses are correct and from a trustworthy source to avoid any connectivity or security issues.

How often should I scan my Mac for viruses to maintain Safari’s performance?

You should regularly scan your Mac for viruses to maintain Safari’s performance. Ideally, once a week or monthly is advisable, but the frequency can vary based on your internet habits, the websites you frequent, and the types of files you download. Regular scans detect and remove malicious software promptly.

I'm Hashir, a tech journalist with a decade of experience. My work has been featured in some of the top tech publications like MakeUseOf and MakeTechEasier. I have a bachelor's degree in IT, a master's in cybersecurity, and extensive knowledge of Apple hardware, specifically MacBooks. As the senior writer at MacBook Journal, I write in depth guides that help you solve any issues you have with your mac and unbiased reviews that help you make the right buying decisions.

Hi there! I'm Ojash, a tech journalist with over a decade of experience in the industry. I've had the privilege of contributing to some of the world's largest tech publications, making my mark as a respected Mac expert. My passion lies in exploring, using, and writing about MacBooks, and I enjoy sharing my expertise to help others make informed decisions and get the most out of their MacBook experience. Join me as we delve into the fascinating world of MacBooks together!

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How to fix an overheating MacBook in 8 ways

To fix a hot MacBook, you can unblock its vents, clean its internals, or avoid working in direct sunlight.
You can also try closing browser tabs, minimize multitasking, or checking if the fans are working.
Use the Activity Monitor to see apps that are hogging system resources and close them.

Like any laptop, your MacBook is susceptible to overheating. A hot MacBook is not just uncomfortable to work with, but it can reduce your battery's lifespan and possibly even damage other internal components.

Luckily, you can do a few things to cool it down and continue to enjoy using your MacBook.

Why does my Mac get so hot?

There are many things that could be causing your MacBook to overheat. One of the most common reasons is something could be blocking the vents, or that you've placed it near another device that generates heat.

There could even be a lot of dust build-up causing internal components to heat – dust is a notorious heat trapper.

Another common reason for an overheating MacBook is that the processor is doing too much work. For instance, it could be that you have too many windows, apps, or tabs open (for example, in Google Chrome), or that you're multitasking a lot.

If your macOS is also outdated, the old software can also put unnecessary strain on the processor, causing it to overheat. It could also be that the Mac's internal cooling fan is malfunctioning.

How to prevent your MacBook from getting too hot

Whatever the reason your MacBook is running hot, there are eight ways that you can troubleshoot it and cool it down.

Don't block the vents

Let's start with the single biggest factor for controlling heat: Don't block the vents.

It's really easy to accidentally block the vents if you set the MacBook directly in your lap or work in bed, with the laptop sitting on a soft, form-fitting surface.

If you are blocking the vents, you've trapped hot air inside and stopped circulation, which is the MacBook's primary tool for shedding heat.

The remedy: Prop the MacBook up on a book, laptop stand, or some other flat surface that provides a clear path for air to pass through the vents.

Clean your MacBook's internals

If there's a downside to the fact that MacBooks tend to live a very long time, it's that there's plenty of time for yours to get caked with dust, which impedes airflow and makes it run hot.

If your MacBook is more than a couple years old, open it up occasionally and clean out the dust. You'll need a simple Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the bottom panel and gently blow out any built-up dust.

Don't work in direct sunlight

Your MacBook has an ideal range of operating temperatures — Apple recommends a range between 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit .

If you work in direct sunlight or in a space that's very hot, it can cause your MacBook to overheat.

Don't open too many browser tabs

This might be surprising — after all, how harmful could it be to have a bunch of tabs open in your web browser?

It turns out that no matter which browser you use, opening a lot of tabs is a resource-intensive activity. No matter what kind of MacBook you have, try to limit yourself to fewer than a dozen tabs at any given time.

And if your system is starting to run hot, close any non-essential tabs to take the load off the CPU.

Minimize your multitasking

Similar to managing tabs in your browser, avoid running too many programs at once — especially extremely resource-intensive programs.

Many users find Adobe Photoshop and iTunes to be a particularly bad combination, for example. If you're using Photoshop (or another graphically intensive app), perhaps use your phone for music.

Check the Activity Monitor for misbehaving apps

Some apps put a significant load on the CPU. Whether that happens ordinarily or the app is misbehaving, the fact remains that it can cause your CPU to run hot, and you can check this in the Activity Monitor.

1 . Open Finder on your Mac.

2 . Click Applications .

3 . Click Utilities .

4 . Click Activity Monitor .

5 . Select the CPU tab to see which apps are using a high percentage of the CPU's available resources.

6 . If you see something monopolizing the CPU, and you don't need to use it, close that program.

Make sure your fans are working properly

It's possible (however unlikely) that your MacBook's fans have failed. You can find out by running Apple's diagnostic tool built into your Mac.

How to start Apple diagnostics on a MacBook with an Apple silicon (M1) processor:

1 . Turn off your MacBook and be sure it's plugged into an outlet.

2 . Press and hold the Power button — your MacBook will start up — and release it when you see the startup options screen.

3 . Hold Command + D and follow the instructions to complete the test.

4 . The test results won't be in plain English, but look for any error codes that begin with "PPF" – these refer to fan issues.

5 . If you do see a PPF error code, you'll need to get the MacBook serviced.

How to start Apple diagnostics on a MacBook with an Intel processor:

1. Turn off your MacBook and be sure it's plugged into an outlet.

2. Turn on the laptop and immediately press and hold the D key. Release the key when you see the diagnostic screen appear and follow the directions to complete the test.

2. The test results won't be in plain English, but look for any error codes that begin with "PPF" – these refer to fan issues. You can find a key to all the error codes on Apple's support page .

4. If you do see a PPF error code, you'll need to get the MacBook serviced.

Keep your MacBook up to date

Finally, this is good advice for any problems or concerns you have with your MacBook: make sure it is up to date with all software and firmware updates installed .

You can make sure you are up to date by opening your MacBook's System Preferences and then clicking "Software Update."

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Why does my Macbook become extremely hot when using Boot Camp?

The bottom of my Macbook becomes extremely hot when I use Boot Camp (Apple's built-in solution for running Windows on a Mac), especially when I play games. Sometimes my Macbook shuts itself down because it gets far too hot.

Why does this happen, and what can I do to cool it down or keep it from becoming too hot?

Yeah the heat gets really annoying. What version of Windows are you using? – James McMahon Commented Jul 21, 2009 at 1:48
Also, what macbook are you running? – James McMahon Commented Jul 21, 2009 at 1:51

7 Answers 7

The heat is due to heavy CPU usage. Be sure the exhaust vents on the back aren't being blocked by anything -- if the MacBook is sitting on a blanket or your lap, airflow will be reduced and the fans won't be able to cool as well.

My two-year-old white MacBook has never actually shut down due to high heat, but I don't use Boot Camp on it. Perhaps Windows is trying to manage the fan speeds itself and doing a poor job of it? (I'm not sure if Windows even controls fan speeds or if the BIOS does it. Correct me if I'm wrong.)

After almost 8 years of wondering why Mac computers (e.g. 2013 and 2020 Macbook Pro for my part) were overheating so much (reaching 100°C on both models when fully stressed) with Windows (installed with or without bootcamp), I finally discovered why:

My guess is that Mac motherboards do not handle the turbo boost mode of modern CPUs. It is probably handled directly within MacOS, therefore Windows is lost and keeps using 100% of the maximum possible CPU frequencies. But the CPU turbo boost mode should be used only for very short periods of time, not all the time like it does here.

THE FIX: On Windows OS, go to the Advanced Power Options, and then under "Processor Power Managment":

first set "System Cooling Policy" on ACTIVE for both Battery and Plugged in (by default set on PASSIVE on Battery, but it seems wrong except if you lower the "Maximum Processor State" a lot (maybe like 50%).

then set the "Maximum Processor State" at 99% for both Plugged in and Battery (lower on Battery if you want to save it). That's it!

If you open HWMonitor while doing this, you will notice that your CPU frequencies drop directly to the normal frequencies of your CPU (e.g almost always at 3000 MHz before = turbo boost frequencies, and at 1995 MHz after the fix). If you go lower than 99% you will notice that the frequencies change with normal ratios.

The downside of this is that we loose the turbo boost option of our CPUs, but in my opinion it is better than having the fans always running at their maximum, and damaging your hardware (CPU, but also the motherboard itself when it reachs 100°C!)

God bless you. This worked exactly as intended and now my machine isn't constantly overheating. – Zac Connelly Commented Oct 11, 2021 at 17:49
Thank you @Livingstone. I think you're 100% right. I followed your advice and now my MacBook is cooler and the fans aren't blaring. They used to do so, even when no load was apparent on the processor. It's sad that this is necessary. You'd think Bootcamp would handle something like this... Then again, Bootcamp doesn't even configure the speakers properly. It seems like Apple could've done better here... – Derek Foulk Commented Apr 25, 2022 at 17:55

I would recommend downloading smcfancontrol and turning the fans on to max so that it doesnt get too hot.

When you reboot into windows it will remember your fan speed setting until you turn your machine off.

I think this is normal when the Macbook is executing heavy processes, like games. I wouldn't blame bootcamp.

If the Macbook continues to shut itself down, the internal fans could not be working properly. I think you should contact Apple technical support.

Just being in bootcamp (windows 7) and doing nothing gets my macbook to heat up very quickly. – James McMahon Commented Jul 20, 2009 at 15:28

Firstly, make sure you've installed Apple's drivers. I'm running Bootcamp on a MacBook Pro, and it gets pretty hot, to the extent that the CPU starts throttling down. This is with the fans running on maximum. The only solution I have is to alt-tab out of the game, which reduces the strain on the processor, and allows it to cool. This can be thought of as a feature which prevents you spending too long playing games without breaks!

My Macbook is now significantly less hot under windows after a graphics driver update . So I would look into making sure all your drivers are up to date, beyond even the standard Mac drivers that Ziggamorph mentioned.

I found the solution.

Click on the battery symbol down right on the screen. Then move the slider from the right side (high performance) to the middle.

Feel free to buy me a coffe :-)

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Why Does My MacBook Get So Hot?

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An overheating MacBook can damage your device, so it’s important to figure out the causes. In this article, we’ll look at the reasons and fixes to reduce your MacBook’s temperature and prevent it from overheating Mac.

Why Is My MacBook Air or Pro Running Hot?

There are several reasons why your MacBook Air could be running hot. Let’s look at a few of these reasons that could be the source of overheating.

Bonus Tip: Take note of both the age of your Mac and the state of its System Management Controller (SMC). As a Mac ages, the SMC’s role becomes crucial in regulating components to maintain optimal temperatures. If the SMC is aging and causing your Mac to overheat, it may indicate the need to consider investing in a new computer in the near future.

1. Resource-Intensive Programs And Apps

Running multiple apps, too many browser tabs open (Such as Google Chrome) or programs simultaneously or performing resource-intensive tasks like video editing, gaming, automatic graphics switching or virtual machines can cause your MacBook to overheat.

Similarly, if you’ve had your Mac for a while, many unnecessary apps may be installed on it. This isn’t usually a problem, but if those apps are very demanding of CPU, graphics settings or a third party apps is stuck in a loop, it can cause your computer to heat up quickly.

2. Soft Surfaces

Soft surfaces, such as your lap, fabrics, cushions, or carpets, can contribute to overheating if you keep your laptop on top of them. Using a MacBook on a soft surface can block the ventilation slots on the bottom of the laptop, preventing proper airflow and cooling.

As a result, the laptop’s internal components, including the CPU and GPU, can generate more heat, leading to overheating and potentially causing damage to the laptop.

3. Dust, Dirt, And Debris

Your MacBook has vents, covers, and other openings. Over time, dust and dirt can accumulate inside your MacBook Pro’s fans and vents. When these openings get clogged, they prevent proper airflow, causing your laptop to run hot.

It’s normal for your Mac to collect dust and dirt over time, but most people don’t know how to clean it. The built-in vents are crucial to keeping your computer cool, and if they get dirty and clogged up, your MacBook will start to heat up very easily.

4. Outdated Operating System

If your MacBook Pro’s operating system is outdated, it can cause your laptop to run hot.

When the operating system is outdated, it may be unable to manage system resources effectively, leading to increased CPU and memory usage and causing the laptop to generate more heat.

Additionally, outdated operating systems may have compatibility issues with newer software and applications, leading to more CPU usage and heating. Keeping your operating system updated with the latest software updates can help prevent these Mac overheating issues.

5. Background Processes

Some apps and processes can continue to run in the background even when you’re not actively using them, causing your MacBook Pro to run hot and placing strain on sensitive hardware components.

Background processes on your MacBook Pro refer to applications or programs running in the background even when you are not actively using them. These processes can consume system resources such as CPU, memory, and disk usage, increasing heat production and causing your MacBook Pro to run hot.

To identify and address potential issues, consider utilizing Apple Diagnostics, which can provide insights into the health of your MacBook Pro’s sensitive hardware components.

6. Faulty Hardware

If your MacBook Pro is running hot even when you are not running any heavy programs or processes, it could be a sign of a faulty hardware component. The most common hardware issues that cause overheating on MacBook Pro include failing fans, malfunctioning sensors, or a clogged cooling system.

If you suspect your Mac is experiencing hardware issues, you should take it to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or an Apple Store for diagnosis and repair.

Why Is A Hot MacBook Pro Bad?

A warm computer runs normally, but a hot computer can lead to short-term and long-term problems. Some main reasons you don’t want your Mac to overheat are as follows:

Hardware damage : Overheating can cause hardware damage, such as damage to the battery, hard drive, or other internal components. This can lead to costly repairs or even replacing the entire computer.
Reduced performance : When a MacBook Pro overheats, its performance can slow down as the CPU throttles itself to reduce heat. This can make the computer feel slow and sluggish, and it can also impact battery life. If critical pieces of hardware become damaged, this can lead to poor performance. Excessive overheating of your MacBook Pro can cause it to run really slowly , freeze up all of the time , and generally not operate as it should. It can also shut down unexpectedly, leading to potential data loss.
Health risks : A hot MacBook Pro can also pose health risks. The heat can cause discomfort, and prolonged use on the lap can cause skin burns or other injuries.

How To Prevent MacBook Pro From Overheating

Overheating can cause various problems in your Mac, such as decreased performance, system crashes, and even hardware damage. Therefore, taking measures to prevent the MacBook Pro from overheating is essential.

Here are a few quick fixes to cool your Mac down and prevent overheating:

1. Close Demanding And Runaway Apps

Closing unnecessary applications and processes effectively prevents your MacBook Pro from overheating. When you run multiple applications and processes simultaneously, your MacBook Pro’s CPU tab and memory usage can increase, leading to high temperatures and reduced performance.

The easiest way to deal with resource-intensive apps is to check your Activity Monitor. Here’s how to do it:

To find your Activity Monitor, open Finder, click Applications, and select Utilities.
Open Activity Monitor in Utilities.

You will see a list of programs running on your Mac. Close any apps taking too much CPU power.

2. Stay Away From Soft Surfaces

The method is simple – don’t place your computer on soft surfaces while using it. Using your MacBook Pro on soft surfaces, such as cushions, beds, or carpets, can block the ventilation slots on the bottom of the laptop and prevent proper airflow, leading to overheating.

Instead of using your MacBook in bed or on the couch, use your MacBook Pro on a hard and flat surface, such as a desk or table, or set it up on a laptop stand. This will allow adequate airflow to surround the computer and keep everything cool and operational.

3. Clean Dust And Dirt

If your Mac is running hot due to dust and dirt, clean it up. Keeping your MacBook Pro’s ventilation slots free of dust and debris prevents ventilation slots from clogging, and don’t forget to ensure you clean under keyboard as well to maintain optimal performance and to keeps airflow normal.

Depending on your MacBook Pro model, the vents are either above the keyboard, below the hinge on the display, or on the computer’s underside.

You can use a small delicate brush to clean up these vents, or a can of compressed air can quickly blow the vents clean as well. Here are the steps to clean your MacBook Pro’s ventilation slots:

Shut down your MacBook Pro and unplug it from the power source.
Use a soft-bristled brush to gently sweep the ventilation slots and remove any visible dust and debris. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, which can damage the slots.
If there is remaining dust or debris, use compressed air to blow it away. Hold the can of compressed air upright and at a distance of about six inches from your MacBook Pro’s ventilation slots.
Spray short bursts of air into the slots, moving from left to right or vice versa. Avoid tilting the can, as this can cause moisture to accumulate in the can and damage your MacBook Pro.
Use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe down the exterior of your MacBook Pro and remove any fingerprints or smudges.

It is recommended to clean the ventilation slots at least once a month or more frequently if you use your MacBook Pro in dusty or dirty environments.

4. Update Your Operating System And Applications

Outdated operating systems and applications can cause compatibility issues and increased CPU and memory usage, leading to overheating. Therefore, keeping your operating system and applications updated with the latest software updates is essential.

To update your operating system on a MacBook Pro, follow these steps:

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Settings .

Navigate to General > Software Update and follow the prompts to download and install any available updates.

It is recommended to check for updates at least once a week to ensure your MacBook Pro has the latest security patches and performance improvements.

To update applications on a MacBook Pro, follow these steps:

Click the Apple icon and select App Store.

In the App Store, click the Updates tab to view a list of available updates for your installed applications.

Click Update next to each application to download and install the updates.

Alternatively, some applications may have their own built-in update feature, which you can access from the application’s menu bar or settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my macbook get hot even when i’m not doing anything.

There could be various reasons why your MacBook is getting hot even when you’re not doing anything. One possible reason could be the background processes that are running on your MacBook. These processes can consume significant system resources and cause your MacBook to heat up. You can check the Activity Monitor to see which processes are consuming the most resources.

Is it normal for a MacBook to get hot while charging?

Yes, it’s normal for a MacBook to get hot while charging. This is because the battery is being charged, and the charging process generates heat. However, if your MacBook is getting too hot to touch, it could be a sign of a more serious problem, and you should consider getting it checked by a professional.

Can using a MacBook on a soft surface cause it to overheat?

Yes, using a MacBook on a soft surface such as a bed, couch, or blanket can cause it to overheat. This is because the soft surface can block the vents on your MacBook, which are designed to allow hot air to escape. When the hot air is trapped inside the MacBook, it can cause it to overheat. It’s best to use your MacBook on a hard, flat surface.

Does running multiple apps at once cause my MacBook to overheat?

Running multiple apps at once can cause your MacBook to heat up, especially if the apps are resource-intensive. This is because the processor and other components in your MacBook have to work harder to keep up with the demands of the apps. If you notice your MacBook getting too hot, you may want to consider closing some of the apps or upgrading to a MacBook with a higher processing power.

Can cleaning the fans and vents help reduce the heat generated by my MacBook?

Yes, cleaning the fans and vents can help reduce the heat generated by your MacBook. Over time, dust and debris can accumulate in the fans and vents, which can block the airflow and cause your MacBook to overheat. By cleaning the fans and vents, you can improve the airflow and reduce the temperature of your MacBook.

How do I know if my MacBook is overheating?

There are several signs that your MacBook may be overheating, including: : The fan running loudly and continuously : The MacBook feeling hot to the touch : The performance of your MacBook slowing down : The screen freezing or displaying artifacts If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to shut down your MacBook and let it cool down before using it again.

Final Thoughts

If your MacBook Pro runs excessively hot, it’s time to diagnose and fix the underlying issue. The most common cause is the high demand for processing power, which generates heat. Accumulation of dust and debris inside the computer and resource-intensive apps can also contribute to overheating.

Using the tips above, you can cool your computer down and limit any damage or data loss resulting from overheating. If your MacBook continues to run hot, take it to a professional for diagnosis and repair. And if that doesn’t work either, you may have to bite the bullet and buy a new one.

Has your MacBook Pro ever gotten very hot? How did you cool it down? Let us know in the comments.

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MacBook Overheating

In this article you will find the following:

MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models overheat for all sorts of reasons. Surprisingly, age isn’t the main one. Even relatively new 2020 MacBooks can start heating up whenever we juggle between resource-hungry apps, use our laptops on our laps, or go wild with dozens of tabs open in Google Chrome or Safari.

So what do you do if your MacBook is running hot? Read our article below, and discover the best ways to get your Apple machine to cool down. A lot of the advice here will apply to other Mac models, too, like iMac and Mac mini desktop systems, so check it out even if you don’t have a MacBook.

Before we start Too many apps running at the same time will eventually make your MacBook too heated. Some of the processes tend to launch automatically, so try the easiest way to free up RAM in no time: Download MacKeeper and install the app. Go to the Memory Cleaner in the sidebar. Click Open > Clean Memory .

It’s really that simple. With extra memory to play with, your MacBook won’t be under so much stress, and it’ll be less likely to overheat.

What happens when your MacBook overheats?

When your MacBook is getting hot, you’ll notice it pretty quickly. The laptop’s fans will start to spin faster, becoming louder as they do so. The outer casing of the MacBook might also feel noticeably warmer when you’re using the keyboard. A certain level of warmth is normal, but if your MacBook overheats so fast it becomes a problem, you might notice some warning signs:

The fans start making excessive noise and don’t slow down after a few minutes.
The external casing of the MacBook becomes uncomfortable to touch for more than a couple of seconds.
Your Mac’s performance becomes laggy and slow.
Your MacBook suddenly turns itself off for no reason.
You see graphical glitches on your MacBook screen.
The heat may affect your hard drive, preventing your Mac from starting.
How to check Mac temperature

macOS doesn’t offer an easy way to check your Mac’s temperature. You can use Terminal to check the CPU (processor) temperature of Intel Macs , but there are other heat sensors inside a MacBook. Moreover, that command won’t work with Apple Silicon (M1 and M2) Macs. Thankfully, there are lots of free third-party apps that let you check your Mac’s temperature. Here are a few popular choices:

Macs Fan Control: Offers a lot of temperature feedback and the ability to manually control fans (be very careful with this).
Fanny: Lets you quickly see temperatures from an app in your menu bar.
Hot: Shows you lots of different temperature measurements for various internal sensors.

Macs Fan Control lets you not only see what temperatures are inside your Mac, but it lets you control your fans manually too.

Why does your MacBook get so hot?

As electricity flows through the various components and circuits within your MacBook, it generates heat. All electric devices do this to varying levels. In most computers, the CPU makes a lot of heat, as does the GPU, which is why they usually have their own heat sinks and fans. A certain amount of MacBook heat is normal, but excessive heat can be caused by many different factors, including:

Too much CPU load
Too many browser tabs
Malicious software
Crashed, frozen, or malfunctioning apps
Out-of-date apps and macOS
Clogged or blocked vents
Fan problems
Increased ambient temperature
Overheating battery or charging issues

1. Too much CPU load

The more work your MacBook’s processor has to do, the warmer it’ll get. Complicated tasks like graphics processing, converting videos, and high-definition image editing will likely cause your CPU to get warmer. If it overheats, it’ll initiate a shutdown to protect itself from permanent damage.

2. Too many browser tabs

If you have lots of active web browser tabs or windows open, your Mac will need to process all of them. This puts strain on your CPU and RAM, both of which can start warming up after a while, and you’ll soon hear the sound of your fans speeding up.

3. Malicious software

Malware can cause overheating deliberately or as an unintended consequence of whatever it’s supposed to do. Some malware threats, for example, will use your computer to mine cryptocurrency, which uses a lot of processing power, leading to an overheated MacBook.

4. Crashed, frozen, or malfunctioning apps

Malfunctioning apps may crash or freeze up, getting stuck in a loop. If that happens, it can quickly lead to overheating, as the CPU or memory constantly repeats a task, over and over again.

5. Out-of-date apps and macOS

In some cases, overheating can be caused by out-of-date apps or macOS. Apple and other software companies will regularly patch their apps to get rid of bugs, so we advise you to download and install the updates when they’re available.

6. Clogged or blocked vents

MacBooks, like most computers, have fans that expel heat. As they do, they draw in cool air from somewhere else. Unfortunately, they draw in dust at the same time, which settles on your computer's components like a blanket, leading to rapid overheating.

7. Fan problems

Your MacBook’s fans prevent it from overheating. If they're not spinning fast enough, not spinning at all, or not coming on at the right times, they won’t be able to cool down your MacBook properly.

8. Increased ambient temperature

Computers like to be cool. If the air around your MacBook is hot, it’ll struggle to keep itself cool, which can cause it to get overheated. Besides, extreme ambient heat can even cause permanent damage.

9. Overheating battery or charging issues

A lot of electricity flows through your MacBook and its battery as it’s charging. A malfunctioning battery or other charging issues can make your MacBook overheat so fast, meaning it’s not able to operate normally.

How to stop your Mac from overheating

Now we’ve established the main causes for a MacBook running hot, what should do if it happens to you? Here are our top tips to get an overheated MacBook to cool down:

Quit resource-intensive apps
Close unused applications
Manage your login items and launch agents
Close unused browser tabs
Delete unnecessary files
Update your Mac
Manage battery settings
Manage graphics settings
Reset the SMC
Avoid direct sunlight
Clean up your Mac physically
Check for hardware problems

1. Quit resource-intensive apps

Apps that use a lot of resources cause more heat. You can identify and close them (and any apps you’re not using) with Activity Monitor:

Open Activity Monitor in Applications > Utilities , and select the CPU section.
Click % CPU to sort by CPU usage.
If you see anything using a lot of CPU, double-click it, and click Quit .

Open your macOS Activity Monitor, then click 'CPU' to see information about your Mac's processor and which apps are demanding its resources.

Read our other guide on how to open Activity Monitor on Mac to learn more about this handy tool.

2. Close unused applications

Even when you close down an app’s windows, the app continues to run in the background, which can cause your Mac to work harder, leading to overheating. You need to quit out of them to stop them running. Follow these steps to make sure unused apps are properly closed:

Running apps will be visible in Dock, with a black dot underneath them.
Right-click the Dock icon of the app you want to quit. Select w . The icon will disappear unless it’s set to stay in the Dock.

Any apps that are running on your Mac will appear in the Dock, with a black dot below their icons. If you're not using these apps, you can quit out of them.

3. Manage your login items and launch agents

Login items and launch agents start as soon as macOS does. If they’re what’s causing your MacBook to overheat, you can prevent them from being opened when you turn on your Mac. Here’s how:

In your Mac’s System Settings , go to General > Login Items .
Select an item from the Open at Login list, and click the minus button to remove it.

Go to System Settings, then click General in the sidebar. Find and open the Login Items section, where you can control what starts at boot time.

Note from our experts: When it comes to login items, you can get a lot more control with MacKeeper’s Login Items tool . It removes all kinds of launch agents that don’t show up in System Settings.

4. Close unused browser tabs

If you think excessive browser tabs are the reason for your MacBook getting hot, close some or all of them. If you’re using Chrome, you can also turn on the Memory saver feature, which frees up RAM from inactive tabs:

Select Chrome > Settings from the Chrome menu bar.
Select Performance in the sidebar, then click the switch next to Memory saver .

5. Delete unnecessary files

Letting your Mac fill up with junk files is a bad idea. Eventually, it can start to affect system performance, and if your MacBook has to work harder to process all the extra data, it can increase heat levels too. You’ll find a lot of unneeded data in your Mac’s caches, which you can manually delete like this:

Press Cmd + Space to bring up Spotlight. Type ~/Library/Caches , then select the Caches folder.
Look through the Caches folders and delete folders to clear the cache for particular apps. For example, com.apple.Safari is a cache folder for Safari.

Press Cmd + Space to open Spotlight. From there, you can get to the Caches folder by typing '~/Libary/Caches' and selecting 'Caches' from the list.

Hint from our team: Clearing files manually is time-consuming and confusing. Save time and effort with MacKeeper . Its Safe Cleanup feature gets rid of all kinds of junk files in seconds.

6. Update your Mac

You should always keep your Mac up to date. If there are problems with macOS that cause overheating, Apple will release patches or new drivers that fix them. Here’s how to update macOS :

Open System Settings , and go to General > Software Update .
If you see an update available, click Update Now .

7. Manage battery settings

Changing your battery charging settings may help with overheating issues your Mac is having. There are a couple of things you can try:

In System Settings , select Battery from the sidebar. Click Options .
Turn off Optimized Battery Charging and Manage battery longevity . If they’re already on, try turning them off.

In your System Settings, you can change how your Mac controls charging, which can have an effect on the heat you battery generates.

8. Manage graphics settings (GPU)

Some MacBook Pro computers have two graphics cards: a more powerful card and a less powerful one. The more powerful GPU generates more heat, but you can use automatic graphics switching to manage it:

Go to System Settings.
Select Battery .
From the Battery section, enable Automatic graphics switching .

With some MacBook models, you'll find options to turn on automatic graphics switching. The lower-powered GPU will generate less heat.

9. Reset the SMC

The SMC (System Management Controller) is responsible for controlling your MacBook’s many physical parts, including the cooling fans. On an Intel Mac , you can manually reset the SMC, which can solve your MacBook Air or Pro heating up. Here's how:

Shut down your Mac.
Press and hold the Shift + Option + Control + Power buttons for 10 seconds.
Turn on your Mac again.

On Intel Macs, you can manually reset the SMC by pressing this keyboard combination. This may help with overheating and fan issues.

10. Avoid direct sunlight

While you might enjoy sunbathing, your MacBook won’t appreciate it. Leaving your computer in direct sunlight can cause a lot of damage, which you may not be able to fix. If your Mac has been sitting in the sun and is now running slowly or randomly freezing up, try moving into a shady area, let it cool down, and then try it again.

Note from our expert’s observation: Your Mac can even get warm when it’s turned off or sleeping, so always be aware.

11. Clean up your Mac physically

Try to prevent dust, crumbs, and other substances from getting on and inside your Mac. A few ways to keep your Mac:

Avoid eating near your Mac when it’s open.
Try to use your Mac only in relatively dust-free environments.
If you think there’s dust inside your Mac, use a can of compressed air to try and gently blow it out.

12. Check for hardware problems

If you suspect your Mac has malfunctioning hardware, try running a diagnostic. This will scan your Mac and tell you if anything isn’t working properly. Here’s how to run a diagnostic on an Apple Silicon Mac:

Turn off your Mac, then press and hold power until you see the startup options . Press and hold Cmd + D .
Wait for the results and see if there are any issues.

If you run a diagnostic on your Mac, you'll be able to see if there are any hardware issues. You get into this from the macOS startup.

How to prevent MacBook from heating up

Prevention is always better than cure. Rather than trying to cool your MacBook down when it’s overheated, stop it from ever getting hot in the first place:

Don’t block the vents
Make sure your fans are working properly
Minimize your multitasking
Move large and archived files to cloud storage
Use only original Mac chargers
Protect your MacBook with antivirus
Clean junk files from your Mac regularly

1. Don't block the vents

No matter how tempting, it’s a bad idea to use a MacBook in bed or to put it on your lap or stomach. When you do this, you cover the air vents and stop the fans from cooling down the processor. Use your MacBook on a hard, flat surface, giving it plenty of ventilation. A desk or a table will do far better than your lap.

The vents on your Mac are vital. Make sure you don't block them while you're using it, because that will lead to rapid overheating.

2. Make sure your fans are working properly

If your fans aren’t working properly, your MacBook can easily overheat. As soon as you turn on your Mac or bring it out of sleep mode, you should be able to hear the fans spinning (get closer to your Mac if you need to). Are fans not turning on? Then it’s possible your fans are broken, or macOS isn’t activating them when it should.

3. Minimize your multitasking

Your Mac can run lots of different programs and web browser tabs at the same time. But the more things you try to do at once, the more you’ll cause your Mac to warm up. To avoid this issue, try not to open lots of things at the same time and get into a habit of quitting apps and closing tabs when you’re done with them. If you’re watching a film on your laptop, for example, why have all your other apps running in the background?

4. Move large and archived files to cloud storage

Rather than letting files accumulate on your Mac’s storage, offload some of them to the cloud instead. There are loads of cloud storage options, but one of the best is Apple’s iCloud. It’s also particularly convenient because macOS is built to support it. The more files you can get off your MacBook, the less work it’ll have to do—and that translates into less heat.

5. Use only original Mac chargers

Another common problem that causes MacBooks to overheat is counterfeit chargers. Stick to the original charger that came with your MacBook, or if you need a new one, make sure to get it from an authorized Apple Store. You can also check if your charger is certified by Apple here . Whatever charger you’re using, if you ever smell burning from it, unplug it immediately.

6. Protect your MacBook with antivirus

Viruses can hijack your Mac's resources and use them for things like crypto mining, attacking other computers, and performing other operations that could cause your MacBook to overheat. Fixing malware issues manually is next to impossible, but with MacKeeper, you can check a Mac for virus files easily:

In MacKeeper , select Antivirus , and click Start Scan .
Wait for the scan to finish.
If MacKeeper finds any malware, select it, and click Delete .

To start an antivirus scan in MacKeeper, go to the Antivirus section of the app, then click the 'Start Scan' button and wait.

Need more help with viruses? Check our full guide on how to get rid of malware on Mac .

7. Clean junk files from your Mac regularly

The more you use your Mac, the more junk files will start to build up, including log files, caches, and unnecessary language data. You can clear all of this out in seconds using MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup feature:

Run MacKeeper , and select Safe Cleanup from the sidebar. Click Start Scan .
When the scan is done, select what to delete, and click Clean Junk Files .
Click Skip Trash or Empty Trash .

To start cleaning up your Mac, select 'Safe Cleanup' from the MacKeeper sidebar, then click the blue 'Start Scan' button.

We’ve looked at some easy steps you can take to stop your MacBook from overheating. Hopefully, one of them is the solution you’re looking for, but remember, you can also avoid overheating your MacBook by keeping the hard disk clean and removing unnecessary background processes with MacKeeper.

You can also give your Mac a breather at any time with MacKeeper’s Memory Cleaner . In a single click, it shuts down unneeded background processes, instantly giving you back some RAM. When your Mac is overheating, that can be exactly what you need to get it to cool down.

1. Can a MacBook break from overheating?

Yes, overheating can damage sensitive internal parts of your MacBook. However, many built-in safeguards will slow down or shut off your Mac before it overheats.

2. Can a MacBook overheat in the sun?

Yes, exposing your MacBook to direct sunlight will raise its temperature and cause it to overheat quickly.

3. Is it normal for Macs to get too hot?

Most Macs are likely to warm up or even feel hot to the touch during resource-consuming processes. This is fine, as a little warming up doesn’t cause any harm, and the temperature usually gets back to normal in time.

4. How to stop Mac from overheating when playing games?

Playing games with high-quality 3D graphics puts strain on your CPU and GPU, generating heat. You can reduce this strain by lowering the graphical quality and/or resolution in your game. You can also use external fans to cool down your Mac. Or simply give your Mac regular breaks, so it can cool down between gaming sessions.

5. How to cool down a MacBook?

There are many ways to cool down your Apple laptop. They include closing down resource-intensive apps and unused browser tabs, avoiding direct sunlight, and removing internal dust. You can also buy laptop coolers, which can help by blowing cold air on the bottom of your MacBook.

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・In Safari, make sure that Safari > Preferences > General has “Safari opens with” set to “All windows from last session.”

・In Chrome, go to Chrome > Settings > On Startup and choose “Continue where you left off.”

・In Firefox, go to Firefox > Preferences > General and check “Open previous windows and tabs.”

Make sure you retain your open tabs and windows before relaunching Safari (or any browser).

Find the culprit

The Energy tab can also be a useful tool in identifying an app consuming lots of resources and if you’re wondering why your laptop’s battery is draining so quickly.

Double-click the Safari item in Memory and you can see all the bytes required for each open tab, even if it’s not active.

・Press Command-Option-Esc, select the app, and click Force Quit .

・Hold down the Option key and Control-click/right-click the app’s icon on the Dock and choose Force Quit .

・In Activity Monitor, select the item in the list and click the X in an octagon icon at the left end of the toolbar. When prompted, click Quit to try a normal app exit or Force Quit if that doesn’t work.

Use the Force Quit Applications dialog to kill apps quickly.

This may alleviate the problem instantly, and you can get back to work (or fun).

Restart your Mac

Ensure your Mac will reopen your apps after restart by checking that box.

・If you can launch Terminal, do so and type plus Return, then enter your password when prompted.

・Failing that, hold down the power button on your Mac for about 10 seconds or until you see it shut off, such as its power indicator becoming unlit. Wait just a couple of seconds, then press the button to start up.

Ask Mac 911

Besides email, you can submit your question to Mac 911 via the form below.

Submit your question to Mac 911

Submit a form.

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Safari 6 makes macbook pro run hot.

Hello, this is my first post in this forum.

I've noticed that often Safari makes macbook pro run hot. The fans speed up even though I don't have that many applications open and only a few Safari tabs open.

The only way to slow down the fan is to quit safari and open it. Did anyone else also notice this?

Also I have noticed that Safari doesn't display texts (especially in facebook chat) properly.

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Oct 9, 2012 12:58 PM

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Oct 9, 2012 3:14 PM in response to Handsome90

Try trashing the Safari cache more often ...

From the Safari menu bar click Safari > Reset Safari

Select Clear History (also empties the cache)

Deselect the remaining boxes then click Reset.

Quit and relaunch Safari to test.

If that doesn't help, check Safari > Preferences > Extensions

If there are any installed, turn that OFF, quit and relaunch Safari to test again.

Emptying the cache and deleting history may also help the Facebook text issue.

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iPhone 7/Plus iPhone is burning hot one minute into browsing Safari

Thread starter Kendo
Start date Oct 10, 2020
Sort by reaction score
iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

macrumors 68020

Oct 10, 2020

Is this a faulty battery or faulty chipset? Even doing something as simple as browsing Facebook will make it heat up in just 30 seconds. The battery in Settings says it is operating under peak performance but who knows if that is accurate. The reason I am asking, it only costs $50 to change the battery at the Apple Store but I don't want to throw away $50 if it is actually a problem with the chipset or CPU. I don't want to replace the battery only to find it still heating up.

macrumors G4

You could get more accurate guesses from users here by at least providing the model information and what iOS version you’re on plus the standard questions: 1) Has if ever worked? 2) if so, what have you changed?

macrumors 601

Kendo said: Is this a faulty battery or faulty chipset? Click to expand...

ericwn said: You could get more accurate guesses from users here by at least providing the model information and what iOS version you’re on plus the standard questions: 1) Has if ever worked? 2) if so, what have you changed? Click to expand...

chscag said: Symptoms of an overheating faulty battery. Get it changed out as soon as you can, and don't use the phone until you do. Batteries (especially Li-ion) have been known to explode when overheated. Click to expand...

MacCheetah3

If your iphone or ipad gets too hot or too cold - apple support.

macrumors 68000

You could try a reset of the device?

LonestarOne

Macrumors 65816.

If your local Apple Store is open, the Genius Bar has equipment to diagnose a malfunctioning phone.

macrumors newbie

May 2, 2021

Kendo said: Is this a faulty battery or faulty chipset? Even doing something as simple as browsing Facebook will make it heat up in just 30 seconds. The battery in Settings says it is operating under peak performance but who knows if that is accurate. The reason I am asking, it only costs $50 to change the battery at the Apple Store but I don't want to throw away $50 if it is actually a problem with the chipset or CPU. I don't want to replace the battery only to find it still heating up. Click to expand...

madog96182 said: Hey! I have the same issues like you. Battery health is 80%. Have you solved the overheating problem? Click to expand...

Hi I have the same issue with my 2020 SE, IOS 14.5. Using Safari makes the phone hot within a minute and the battery drains like crazy. The phone is one year old and battery health is 96%. Didn’t have this issue before updating to 14.5, less than one week ago. Don’t have the issue using other apps. Seems to be related to Safari on IOS 14.5. My workaround has been to use Opera, which works without over heating the phone and sever battery drain doesn’t occurs.

macrumors 68030

Don't have that issue, fortunately

macrumors 603

Try another browser like Chrome or Google. See if you get the same result. This will at least give you an idea of whether it is your phone or Safari that is the problem.

I tried Microsoft Edge with the same result. Installera Opera and that browser works without overheating the phone despite reading the same home pages. Is it possible to reinstall Safari on the phone?

MJigolf said: I tried Microsoft Edge with the same result. Installera Opera and that browser works without overheating the phone despite reading the same home pages. Is it possible to reinstall Safari on the phone? Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply. Was afraied of that. Never done that despite 4 iPhones in use in the family since iPhone 4s. Always used iCloud account transfering the content in old phones to new without any problem.

May 12, 2021

Kendo said: Yes, I bought an iPhone SE to replace the 7. Click to expand...

wishingwell133

Apr 4, 2022

I had the same problem and was able to solve it. My iPhone kept getting hotter and was very slow. After that I just deleted all History and Website Data under Settings -> Safari -> Clear History and Website Data . After that, my iPhone worked as before.

macrumors 6502a

Ads can heat up your phone too. Try an ad blocker if you aren't already. That has worked for me in the past, and there are several other threads about this.

wishingwell133 said: I had the same problem and was able to solve it. My iPhone kept getting hotter and was very slow. After that I just deleted all History and Website Data under Settings -> Safari -> Clear History and Website Data . After that, my iPhone worked as before. Click to expand...

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COMMENTS

MacBook gets really hot with Safari
We understand from your question that your computer is getting hot and your fans are running loud. We can certainly help you with this! We would recommend starting by resetting the SMC & PRAM on your device. Links to do this are below. How to reset the SMC of your Mac. Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac. This article will be a good resource for you.
Is your Mac sluggish or running hot? Here's what to do
In CPU, click % CPU until the arrow next to it is pointing down. In Memory, click the Memory column. In Energy, click the Energy Impact column. If your Mac is responding poorly, CPU and Memory can ...
M1 IMac running hot when using Safari. Do…
M1 IMac running hot when using Safari. Doesn't happen with Firefox. Temps reach 175 and higher on m1 iMac running Safari. I can switch to Firefox and temps will drop 40-50 degrees. ... Apple may provide or recommend responses as a possible solution based on the information provided; every potential issue may involve several factors not detailed ...
Safari 5 is making my MacBook run hot!
Go to the Safari Menu Bar, click Safari/Preferences. Make note of all the preferences under each tab. Quit Safari. Now go to ~/Library/Preferences and move this file com.apple.safari.plist to the Desktop. Relaunch Safari and see if that makes a difference. If not, move the .plist file back to the Preferences folder.
10 Safari Mac Browser Tips to Boost Speed and Performance
Launch Safari and click Safari > Preferences in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click on the Advanced tab, then check Show Develop menu in menu bar at the bottom of the window. Close the Preferences window and click Develop > Empty Caches in the menu bar at the top of the screen. 4. Disable Thirsty Extensions.
How to Stop Your Mac from Overheating
Launch Activity Monitor on your Mac either by searching for it with Spotlight, or by launching it under Applications > Utilities. Under the "CPU" tab is a list of currently running processes. Click on the "% CPU" column to organize it by descending order, which will put the most taxing processes at the top of the list.
Should I be concerned about the heat? (MacBook Air M1)
The M1 MacBook Air manages heat pretty darn good! In normal usage, I notice no warmth or heat at all. I will say this though, the 7 core model will always run warmer than the 8 core. Power always buys you efficiency. Not to mention, the 8 core model uses better silicon "From what apple says".
iMac heat issues using Safari?
Safari - Apple Community. Show more Less. View in context. Similar questions. Safari and overheating I've had a problem with my iMac fan kicking on because it is getting hot. I'm always running Safari when this happens. Once I switch to Firefox the heat dissipates and the fan stops running. This has been going on for quite some time now when ...
Why Is Safari Running Slow on Mac? 15 Ways to Fix
Click the Safari menu item at the top left of your screen. From the drop-down menu, select Settings. Select the Advanced tab and check the box next to the Show Develop menu in menu bar if it is unchecked. Return to the menu bar, click Develop, and select Empty Caches from this drop-down list.
How to fix and prevent Mac overheating
To resolve the issue of Mac overheating when connected to external monitor, you need to adjust your Display settings: Go to System Settings in the Apple menu. Choose Displays. Select your external display at the top of the window. Set the Refresh rate to match the value of the built-in monitor settings.
Why Is My MacBook so Hot? 8 Ways to Fix Overheating
Whether that happens ordinarily or the app is misbehaving, the fact remains that it can cause your CPU to run hot, and you can check this in the Activity Monitor. 1. Open Finder on your Mac. 2 ...
Why does my Macbook become extremely hot when using Boot Camp?
Firstly, make sure you've installed Apple's drivers. I'm running Bootcamp on a MacBook Pro, and it gets pretty hot, to the extent that the CPU starts throttling down. This is with the fans running on maximum. The only solution I have is to alt-tab out of the game, which reduces the strain on the processor, and allows it to cool.
Why Does My MacBook Get So Hot? (Explained How to Fix It)
3. Clean Dust And Dirt. If your Mac is running hot due to dust and dirt, clean it up. Keeping your MacBook Pro's ventilation slots free of dust and debris prevents ventilation slots from clogging, and don't forget to ensure you clean under keyboard as well to maintain optimal performance and to keeps airflow normal.
Why Is my Mac getting so hot? : r/mac
Macs are hot products for Apple fans. You can use software to increase the fan speed manually, that will keep it cooler. They do get very hot, but that seems excessive for just runnung Safari. Check the activity monitor for other activity. My mid-2015 Mac wasn't running its fan last night, it was weird as hell.
Macbook Pro gets hot when using Safari
Mac / MacBook Pro Looks like no one's replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question. User profile for user: wirunner wirunner Author. User level: Level 1 4 points Macbook Pro gets hot when using Safari ... Macbook Pro gets hot when using Safari.
MacBook Overheating: How to Stop & Prevent It? [Why a Mac Gets Hot?]
Update your Mac. You should always keep your Mac up to date. If there are problems with macOS that cause overheating, Apple will release patches or new drivers that fix them. Here's how to update macOS: Open System Settings, and go to General > Software Update. If you see an update available, click Update Now. Step 1.
Is your Mac sluggish or running hot? Here's what to do
Make sure you will have your tabs and windows reloaded: ・In Safari, make sure that Safari > Preferences > General has "Safari opens with" set to "All windows from last session." ・In Chrome, go to Chrome > Settings > On Startup and choose "Continue where you left off." ・In Firefox, go to Firefox > Preferences > General and check "Open previous windows and tabs."
Safari 6 makes macbook pro run hot.
Applications and Services / Safari Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT > Learn more > Add to your calendar . Show more > Learn more > Add to your calendar . Looks like no one's replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question. User profile for user: Handsome90 ...
safari running hot warning box : r/MacOS
When I watch full screen videos from twitch and facebook I get a warning box that says safari is making my MacBook hot. This doesn't happen when I watch youtube videos on full screen in fact my MacBook cools down. Does twitch and facebook use a different video player than what youtube uses?
Arc vs Safari Energy Usage Benchmark : r/ArcBrowser
Safari was fairly stabile on both initial runs (and I even saw zero improvement when using HTML video tags with Baking soda and Vinegar extensions instead of YouTube player, on the third run) Safari without extensions -- 155. Safari without extensions -- 158. Safari with HTML video -- 162. Arc without extensions -- 538.
MacBook getting really hot running Safari : r/macbookpro
MacBook getting really hot running Safari. Help. This might seem weird but today for no reason, my MacBook was getting really hot, fans were maxing out, and the battery has lost almost half in just an hour. I was only watching netflix so I'm just a little confused. (MacBook Pro 16, M3 Pro) Add a Comment.
Firefox has been overheating my Macbook, looking for better ...
Macbooks use the whole body as a heat sink, some have fans too. Use safari and Edge both simultaneously for on-charge, edge & on battery safari. Both have 20-40 tabs open at a time (utilizing tab group as a workflow, but sleeping tabs) And never got any hearing issue M1 air, 12.3, latest safari and edge.
iPhone is burning hot one minute into browsing Safari
Using Safari makes the phone hot within a minute and the battery drains like crazy. The phone is one year old and battery health is 96%. Didn't have this issue before updating to 14.5, less than one week ago. Don't have the issue using other apps. Seems to be related to Safari on IOS 14.5.

Is your Mac sluggish or running hot? Here’s what to do

Quit and relaunch your browser

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Why Is Safari Running Slow on Mac?

How to Fix Safari Running Slow on Mac

1. Check Your Internet Speed

2. Force Close and Relaunch Safari

3. Close Unwanted Tabs

4. Clear Safari History

5. Clear Safari Cache and Cookies

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7. Disable Search Engine Suggestions

8. Disable Autofill

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Why does my Mac get so hot?

How to prevent your MacBook from getting too hot

Don't block the vents

Clean your MacBook's internals

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Don't open too many browser tabs

Minimize your multitasking

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Why does my Macbook become extremely hot when using Boot Camp?

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