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Mac Temperature

Since updating to 10.15.5, my Macbook Air will randomly go up to 100 degrees when idle. To make it worse, in some cases the fan does not come on meaning I have had to install a third party app to ramp the fans up and bring the temperature down.


The temperature will show the same on Intel Power Gadget and Macs Fan Control so I know it is not an issue with one of those programs giving a false reading.


Any suggestions?

MacBook Air

Posted on Jun 11, 2020 6:20 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 11, 2020 6:51 PM

Several things to check, Activity Monitor helps to diagnose and learn; among others.


• See how apps affect Mac performance, battery runtime, temperature, and fan activity - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203184


Keep track of the operating temperature of Mac notebooks. And study about batteries in Mac notebooks

You can select custom settings in Macs Fan Control; and toggle between default and custom, it's good.


Could be you might need to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac.

Sometimes third-party software may not work/play well within macOS; some need updates.


Good luck & happy trails!🌻🌤

Similar questions

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 11, 2020 6:51 PM in response to Hr_r

Several things to check, Activity Monitor helps to diagnose and learn; among others.


• See how apps affect Mac performance, battery runtime, temperature, and fan activity - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203184


Keep track of the operating temperature of Mac notebooks. And study about batteries in Mac notebooks

You can select custom settings in Macs Fan Control; and toggle between default and custom, it's good.


Could be you might need to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac.

Sometimes third-party software may not work/play well within macOS; some need updates.


Good luck & happy trails!🌻🌤

Jun 12, 2020 1:04 PM in response to Hr_r

There is a diagnostic helpful tool that runs free (w/optional fee does a bit more)

and works best from it's Maker's site; since App Store version offers less, both free.


EtreCheck: https://etrecheck.com/index


• Using EtreCheck to Troubleshoot Potential Mac Issues - Apple community

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250000632


Product History from Maker (2019)

• Using EtreCheck - apple community

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6172


This works to see what is running in your Mac; to generate report, remove bad

actors such as adware, malware, & other; and the report can be posted to ASC.


The reporting tool can help post the generated report as a text attachment in

the reply window, using small tool icons in that portion of browser window.

[Alternate way to add reply, could be use Pastebin. I've not added report that way.]


EtreCheck product has evolved from contributing member of Apple Support

Community, over some years, into this free-running (optional features cost) app.

(Mac App online version has fewer features; I downloaded direct/EtreCheck's site.)


The EtreCheck Pro version and Standard version direct download work for Free.


My newer Macs have this; in addition, also have malwarebytes for mac. This other

software tool is also an original product from another active ASC member T.Reed.


Several longer term Mac users, some in active in ASC, use these products and had

helpful interactions with their makers, over the years in these discussions online.

These can help diagnose, find, and remove bad actors from the macOS.


Take care & good luck!🌞🎣

Jun 12, 2020 2:50 PM in response to Hr_r

• Revert your Mac to a previous macOS version - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/revert-to-a-previous-macos-version-mh15216/mac


Also try (new) second user-name account with admin privileges to troubleshoot, if no reversion.

Seems there may be additional bits from third-party software, or older items carried forward?

This assumes you also have an earlier backup of your macOS, including Time Machine.


Good luck!🍀

Jun 11, 2020 6:55 PM in response to K Shaffer

Hi thanks for the reply,


It hits 100 degrees suddenly, out of no where with nothing open. I always have activity monitor open and always check system usage so I know there is nothing running in the background that may be causing this.


I have tried resetting the SMC and it has made no difference, and all software installed is officially supported and kept updated.


I'm guessing it might be (yet another) bug with Catalina so its probably best I just report it to apple.



Mac Temperature

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