Flash Player is overheating my iMac

[oem]

I've noticed that whenever I'm watching or using something Flash supported for a while my CPU is at like 60-120% on just the Flash Player process. My fans will start ramping up and the only way to stop that is to just quit what I'm doing which doesn't fix anything, it's just a hindrance and stops me.

I've tried Chrome, Firefox, Safari, all seem to have the same problem, I've tried googling a fix but everyone just seems to say it is down to Mountain Lion. Is there really no fix at all to stop Flash doing this? Yes, I have the latest version of Flash, and yes everything else is up to date. I've checked All Processes and I know for a fact it's only Flash causing this issue. I've done SMC and PRAM resets also just because I'm running out of options.

I have also used SMC Fan Control for a while but quite frankly I don't like having my fans turned up high for no reason all the time creating background noise.

Can anyone help me or suggest anything? Not using Flash isn't a possibility, and this seems like a giant flaw in the OS or something.

Edit: I'm aware this isn't technically 'overheating' otherwise my iMac would shut down, but I can't say I enjoy my iMac being hot enough to boil an egg on top and the fans sounding like vacuum cleaner.

 

[TheGdog]

For me this problem has existed for as long as I can think. There is not a fix for it, other than not using flash. Flash player is poorly made software. Youtube has moved to HTML5 I think now, but don't quote me on that. I have put my Macbook through hours of flash heat D My new term) and never had it hurt the machine.

Also Stay away from SMC Fan control, it can be bad news if you aren't careful.

Off topic, but once my Mac did not shut off when I closed it, and kept running full tilt in my bag for over an hour. Got so hot, it melted my keyboard cover. had to clean the melted cover off the screen and had to pick up the computer with cloth it was so hot. Shut it down, let it cool and reinstalled. Its been fine for almost a year. In other words, I don't think you will damage your mac. they are pretty tough.

 

[oem]

Ok, cheers for the reply TheGdog. It's just a bit random and alarming sometimes and I wanted to make sure it wasn't just my machine. I guess I'll just keep tabs on it and just not get scared when it does it, damn you Flash!

 

[Quad5Ny]

Safari + ClickToFlash

ClickToFlash is about half way down this page: http://extensions.apple.com/

 

[TheGdog]

Safari + ClickToFlash

ClickToFlash is about half way down this page: http://extensions.apple.com/

I second this! Did not think of this.

 

[kage207]

Can anyone help me or suggest anything? Not using Flash isn't a possibility, and this seems like a giant flaw in the OS or something.

So it is Apple's job to make sure all third party developers make quality software? Mind you Flash isn't in the App Store for a reason. You've got to consider technology. So it's all Apple's fault for not wanting to push closed standards on a platform that should be open? (I'm talking about the internet being the open standard with HTML5 & Webkit and the closed being Flash.) Yes there are other things Apple does that promote "closed" standards though that's not the topic.

It takes time for things to evolve. Like great minds said, "Things will get worse before they get better."

Flash will die one day. Only thing we can do is push developers to adopt newer and better technology. I've helped by never ever developing anything in Flash and I support others as well because there are better tools to get the job done now (and have cross platform support).

Just chug through it if you have to use Flash and know your Mac will be fine (it just gets a lil hot! )

 

[Max(IT)]

Flash is just garbage software, so it's not an OSX defect.
Clicktoflash seems to be the best solution, but it's not going to solve the problem when you play flash contents.
Hope that html5 will kill flash in the next future.

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

I've noticed that whenever I'm watching or using something Flash supported for a while my CPU is at like 60-120% on just the Flash Player process. My fans will start ramping up and the only way to stop that is to just quit what I'm doing which doesn't fix anything, it's just a hindrance and stops me.

The current version of the Flash Player plugin is pretty efficient. Uses 10-30 % CPU time, if i watch 720p videos on YouTube.

Safari uses > 100 % CPU time, if i use the YouTube HTML5 player, so i use Flash on YouTube.

MBP 17" Early-2011 + Mac OS X 10.6.8 + Flash Player plugin v11.5.502.146. And your configuration is?

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Flash is just garbage software, so it's not an OSX defect.

That is obviously wrong. Older versions had certain problems, yes.

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Mind you Flash isn't in the App Store for a reason.

And other browser plugins are in the App Store? Where?

 

[justperry]

The current version of the Flash Player plugin is pretty efficient. Uses 10-30 % CPU time, if i watch 720p videos on YouTube.

Safari uses > 100 % CPU time, if i use the YouTube HTML5 player, so i use Flash on YouTube.

MBP 17" Early-2011 + Mac OS X 10.6.8 + Flash Player plugin v11.5.502.146. And your configuration is?

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That is obviously wrong. Older versions had certain problems, yes.

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And other browser plugins are in the App Store? Where?

That's odd, I use HTML 5 (YouTube) on my old PB G4 1.67 and it runs better than flash!

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

Flash player is poorly made software.

Nonsense! Older versions had certain problems, yes. iThink Flash Player v10.3 and newer versions are pretty efficient.

HTML5 requires much more CPU time, because it does not support a realtime streaming protocol. YouTube HTML5 hangs or is unusable. On the other side, Flash Player supports much more than just H.264 video:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_Player#Architecture

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That's odd, I use HTML 5 (YouTube) on my old PB G4 1.67 and it runs better than flash!

360p or 480p, probably. Do you watch 720p and 1080p via HTML5? And btw, i talk about the performance of Flash on “modern” Intel hardware, not about 10 years old Flash versions for PowerPC-based Macs.

 

[UrOpa]

Flash Player

I have been beating the bushes for days trying to get a line on what could be the cause of problems with my late 2006 iMac 20" with upgraded memory and lately upgraded HD. The screen has taken to "locking up" and the mouse, although active, had no control. I had to turn off with the power button. The computer would "freeze up" during the initial log on as well as at other random times and places. The display would have lines through it, as well as "tearing" and "distortion" of elements of the display. Then, of a sudden, I noticed a reference to "Flash Player". I wound up here, read the posts, and immediately "uninstalled" Flash Player, and rebooted. After I had replaced the HD, I had installed a spanking new copy of Snow Leopard. Since I was totally in control at that point, I went ahead and installed "Flash Player". Then I visited their options page and locked them down tight since I have no use for LSO's, Tracking Cookies, etc. Just now, following removal of "Flash Player" and rebooting, I could almost "smell" the difference in the way the computer responded. If all works as I anticipate, I will give an update in a few days. Otherwise, I will continue my search for a solution. I hate the idea of busting this box open again. Definitely not fun.