Macbook Pro Fan Running Louder Than Ever Before? :/

Hiya Folks!

So interesting problem (if it even is a problem) with my Macbook Pro, not sure if there is anything I can do about it or not but a bit concerned. So first, the specs on my machine if that matters...

Late 2009 unibody 15 inch Macbook Pro
2.8ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB Ram
500 GB HD 7200RPM
The Optional 512 Graphics Card

Ok soooo...

Since I had my mac for the last year or so the laptop runs extremely quite. Like to the point where you can't even tell that it's running. Only when it starts really warming up when tasking harder will the fans start to really kick in and run just barely loud enough to hear.

However, as of recently though (about the last week or two) I've noticed that my fans run as if the laptop is hot right at start up no matter how cool the machine is and no matter how small and basic the tasking is. I haven't noticed any difference in the performance of my mac at all but the fan noise is def. there constantly now. Now I don't want to over exaggerate here or anything, it's not like a 747 taking off and it honestly is still pretty quite but for the last year the fan only seems to kick in when hot (always working but working louder when hot) and it ran really quite, now it's always spinning a to where you can hear it.

If it's all normal, it's fine. Just concerened that it could be something more.

Any experience or ideas guys and gals?

And thank you for everyone in advance!

TheGreatApple said:

Hiya Folks!

So interesting problem (if it even is a problem) with my Macbook Pro, not sure if there is anything I can do about it or not but a bit concerned. So first, the specs on my machine if that matters...

If it's all normal, it's fine. Just concerened that it could be something more.

Any experience or ideas guys and gals?

Click to expand...

We get this question all the time...and in most cases this fan noise is normal. If this fan noise has only gotten louder recently...there are two possible reasons:

1. You're doing something differently with your computer in the past 1-2 weeks that you weren't doing for the past year (like watching allot of videos or playing games, or simply using a new application that makes the cpu or gpu work harder).

2. Your laptop is dirty inside (specifically the fans)...and this is causing your laptop to run hotter. It has happened to others...and after cleaning (if the laptop was found to be dirty)...the fan noise/heat issues were greatly lessened.

Hope this helps,

- Nick

We first need to determine if you have installed any new programs lately that could be running upon startup - and taxing the CPU. Or any other processes that may be running and heavily using the CPU.

Check here: System Preferences, Accounts, Login Items.

Also: MacIntosh HD/Library/StartupItems/

And finally, open the Activity Monitor.app from Applications, Utilities, and note what's running and how much of the CPU it's using.

I agree whole heartedly with Nick, and also, if it's still under warranty, it wouldn't hurt to have Apple look at it just to be on the safe side if you're uncomfortable checking out the fans yourself.

See page 3
Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2009 Logic Board Replacement - Page 3 - iFixit

Man you guys are awesome! I know why I'm on here every other day now

Ok yall bring up some great points! To answer some...

1. There's not too much I'm doing different honestly, I do use a lot of video, edit pictures through Lightroom, and edit video but I always have.

2. Actually, in the last 3 weeks or so I did install the entire Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection, but I don't have any of them that run at start up and I always close programs and applications out when done with them.

3. I use Tweetdeck heavily but I doubt that puts much stress on the machine.

4. I do listen and download lots of music?

5. Could be dirt. I have no problem going in there myself and cleaning some stuff out.

Now on to check some stuff out that chscag suggested!

P.S. chscag I'm in Dallas!

Thanks so much guys for everything so far, will get back with more results shortly.

Also here's a screen shot of my activity monitor's CPU usage...nothing going on right now at all :/

TheGreatApple said:

5. Could be dirt. I have no problem going in there myself and cleaning some stuff out.

Click to expand...

Of course (as "6string" suggested)...if you're not comfortable disassembling your laptop to "get in there"...or if your computer is still under warranty (Applecare)...it might to best to have Apple check it out. Since you certainly don't want to void your warranty (if it is still covered).

- Nick

pigoo3 said:

Of course (as "6string" suggested)...if you're not comfortable disassembling your laptop to "get in there"...or if your computer is still under warranty (Applecare)...it might to best to have Apple check it out. Since you certainly don't want to void your warranty (if it is still covered).

- Nick

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, my warranty recently expired otherwise I would. I've taken apart plenty of things before (including my friends macbook pro and a few iphones) so I'm cool with this one.

I'll throw out a "silly" situation that happened to me recently. The weather in my area is most likely getting colder than it is in Texas...have to turn the heat on in my house.

So the other day I was using a space heater for a little extra heat (the space heater was aimed at me)...and the warm/hot air from the space heater caused my laptop's fans to increase in speed (and noise)...when I was doing something that NEVER causes my laptops fans to increase in speed.

So what I'm saying is..sometimes (or many times)...changes in the temperature of the room you are in (or proximity to the output of an air conditioner or space heater)...can cause a laptop to do different things.

- Nick

TheGreatApple said:

Unfortunately, my warranty recently expired otherwise I would. I've taken apart plenty of things before (including my friends macbook pro and a few iphones) so I'm cool with this one.

Click to expand...

Just checking...just in case you still had warranty remaining.

- Nick

better screen shot would be memory, with all processes selected, as it gives all the details as to what is running and what system taxing is being done.
And yes, my kernel_task frustrates me

pigoo3 said:

I'll throw out a "silly" situation that happened to me recently. The weather in my area is most likely getting colder than it is in Texas...have to turn the heat on in my house.

So the other day I was using a space heater for a little extra heat (the space heater was aimed at me)...and the warm/hot air from the space heater caused my laptop's fans to increase in speed (and noise)...when I was doing something that NEVER causes my laptops fans to increase in speed.

So what I'm saying is..sometimes (or many times)...changes in the temperature of the room you are in (or proximity to the output of an air conditioner or space heater)...can cause a laptop to do different things.

- Nick

Click to expand...

That's VERY interesting and could be possible I suppose. It's become cooler here but not cold enough for heaters yet at least not most of the time. But will be paying attention to that detail from now on though.

6string said:

better screen shot would be memory, with all processes selected, as it gives all the details as to what is running and what system taxing is being done.
And yes, my kernel_task frustrates me


Here you go

Click to expand...

Could you edit the post, and remove my screenshot, as I didn't realise that I put my unedited screenshot in with my full name be mistake lol

As for your screenshot, even though it's only your processes, really looks quite normal.... as in nothing running that I can see that would fluctuate that much.

6string said:

Could you edit the post, and remove my screenshot, as I didn't realise that I put my unedited screenshot in with my full name be mistake lol

As for your screenshot, even though it's only your processes, really looks quite normal.... as in nothing running that I can see that would fluctuate that much.

Click to expand...

Sure! I'll actually just go ahead and remove right now!

Thanks

So, I guess just keep an eye on activity monitor next time the fans take off, and meanwhile, when you get the chance, check out your fans for dirt.

Hey guys!

Just a quick update. Took my laptop "apart" and fans are clean enough it seems. Don't think that's the problem.

Could it have anything to do with the way the OS is telling the fan to run or something along those lines? I have no clue...

It's not that noise bothers me so mush as the fact that it's unusual which concerns me.

I just turned my laptop on for the first time today right now and fans are running high as if it's been tasking for the last two hours and hot.

Thanks so much again guys!

Download the free smcFanControl and install it. That will allow you to monitor the speed of the Fan(s) and temperature. Set it to the default fan speeds. Don't try to increase or decrease the speeds.

Let us know what the speed of fans are and at what temperature in C.

quick question. whats the kernel_task?

Here's a link with a thorough explanation.
What is kernel_task? Why is it running? | The Geek Pub

Guy's yall are awesome!

Ok so I installed smcFanControl and right now I'm reading 109 F and fan speed at 2001rpm for both fans (though jumps from 1997rpm to 2001rpm).

Normal?