macbook pro runs hot even when closed

[yycguy]

I am at my wits end. Wife's macbook pro (13" 2020, 4 thunderbolt 3 ports, running sonoma 14.4.1), is constantly running hot. WHen she is using it, battery or plugged in the fan is running (vents not covered and running is like watching you tube). When not using the computer you can come back 2 hours later and the whole thing should be cool, but the bottom it warm if not really warm.
- Desktop is cluttered
- usually safari and chrome are open.

Did the pram reset and checked nothing out of the ordinary on activity monitor. There are no unusual login apps being loaded. HDD is sitting at about 100GB free.


I do not have the same problem with my 2021 macbook pro.

Any suggestions?

 

[MBAir2010]

unplug things when not in use?

there could be a program running or a setting like
"keep macbook awake during shut down" that is making the mac hot.

this is strange though....

 

[Queen6]

Check Activity Monitor - Energy tab will show what if anything is keeping the Mac awake.

Q-6

 

[chrfr]

I am at my wits end. Wife's macbook pro (13" 2020, 4 thunderbolt 3 ports, running sonoma 14.4.1), is constantly running hot. WHen she is using it, battery or plugged in the fan is running (vents not covered and running is like watching you tube). When not using the computer you can come back 2 hours later and the whole thing should be cool, but the bottom it warm if not really warm.
- Desktop is cluttered
- usually safari and chrome are open.

Did the pram reset and checked nothing out of the ordinary on activity monitor. There are no unusual login apps being loaded. HDD is sitting at about 100GB free.


I do not have the same problem with my 2021 macbook pro.

Any suggestions?

Your 2021 MacBook Pro uses an Apple Silicon chip which is much more efficient and cooler than the Intel processor in your wife's 2020 MacBook Pro. The Intel MacBook is just never going to feel cool as long as it's on, and this is not inherently a problem– it's the nature of how those computers work.

 

[specialstyle]

I am at my wits end. Wife's macbook pro (13" 2020, 4 thunderbolt 3 ports, running sonoma 14.4.1), is constantly running hot. WHen she is using it, battery or plugged in the fan is running (vents not covered and running is like watching you tube). When not using the computer you can come back 2 hours later and the whole thing should be cool, but the bottom it warm if not really warm.
- Desktop is cluttered
- usually safari and chrome are open.

Did the pram reset and checked nothing out of the ordinary on activity monitor. There are no unusual login apps being loaded. HDD is sitting at about 100GB free.


I do not have the same problem with my 2021 macbook pro.

Any suggestions?

If you really want to figure it out, pull up activity monitor while it's boiling and see where the usage is. 9/10 it's chrome on a website that uses a ton of power. The fans on my intel macs go WILD depending on what websites I visit. If it is Chrome, they have a task manager within that app too -- so you should be able to narrow down which tab is sucking the most juice. Close the tabs that are using the most...and see if the fans slow down. It should make a difference within 30 seconds or so if it's that.