Why Is My Macbook Charger Hot?

Taking good care of your MacBook is vital for its durability. One of the crucial parts of a MacBook is its battery. You must ensure that you charge it appropriately with a proper MacBook charger.

So, what could make your MacBook charger hot? Your MacBook charger could get hot when charging because the device creates heat when it runs hardware and applications.

Even though heated MacBook chargers are mostly not dangerous, it is essential to remove your charger when you realize it is overly hot. It would help if you also stopped using your MacBook while it is charging to prevent overheating.

Too Many Apps Running 

Your MacBook charger could be hot because the device creates excessive heat when it runs apps and other hardware. Furthermore, the charger could get heated when it is faulty. When the power transmitter in a MacBook charger is damaged, it could overheat the charger, making it very hot.

To combat this issue, manufacturers install powerful fans in the MacBook to help it regulate temperatures. As much as this helps to some extent, the chances of experiencing an overheated MacBook charger are still high. Therefore, you should put in place preventive measures to help prevent overheating your MacBook charger.

How To Prevent MacBook Charger from Overheating 

Luckily, there are several things you can do to prevent your MacBook charger from overheating. This is essential because it helps limit damage to your device. Even though your MacBook might still get heated, implementing these preventive measures will keep the temperatures at safer levels. Keep in mind that overly high temperatures can melt down your charger.

Store in Open Area

It is essential to store your MacBook charger in an open area with a lot of space around. Avoid putting it under clothing, blankets, or in any enclosed areas. Instead, put your MacBook charger on a flat, hard surface. This is beneficial because it allows controlled and proper ventilation. In case you notice any debris at the end of your charger that plugs into the MacBook, you should gently remove it using a soft piece of cloth.

Cleaning the tip of your charger is crucial because it is magnetic. This means that it can attract magnetic or metal debris that can affect the electrical circuit. When the electrical connection is affected, it can easily lead to an overheated charger. When cleaning the tip of your MacBook charger, you are warned against using rough materials because they can damage it. This can also reduce its lifespan. 

Stick to Original Charger

It would help if you stuck to using original MacBook chargers to avoid cases of overheating. Typically, original MacBook chargers can be costly, going for anywhere between $80 to $100. Their considerably high cost can make it tempting for you to opt for relatively cheaper off-brand chargers. This can be very costly in the end because using imitation chargers can damage your MacBook.

It is important to note that many MacBook imitation chargers look precisely like the original brand chargers, except they don’t have the signature Apple logo. If you have an imitation charger and have been using it on your MacBook, it is likely to cause overheating. Continued use of such chargers can significantly damage your device. Therefore, you should stop using them immediately for the sake of your device. Doing so will also help prolong the lifespan of your MacBook battery.

Get a Notebook Radiator

Apart from implementing these precautions, you can also do several things to reduce the amount of heat generated by an original MacBook charger. You can start by getting a notebook radiator. This radiator is very beneficial because it plugs into one of your device’s USB slots and cools it down using fans. In addition, you can plug your MacBook charger into a lamp timer to help regulate the heat. After plugging in your charger, plug the lamp timer into a wall and turn it on. Set the timer to 30-minute intervals.

This setting means that your charger will stop receiving power from the wall outlet after every 30 minutes. As a result, you will have a sufficient battery charge to use your MacBook. Using a lamp timer is highly recommended for those that like charging their MacBook while using it. You must be aware that one of the leading causes of overheated chargers is using your device while charging. A lamp timer will help keep your MacBook cooler while you use it. As a result, it will improve your MacBook’s battery life.

If Burnt, Replace

In some cases, your MacBook charger might get extremely hot to the point that it produces the smell of burning plastic. When that happens, you might also notice wires becoming burned or frayed. In such cases, you need to replace your MacBook charger immediately. Using a charger with any of these symptoms poses a significant risk to your MacBook. If you purchased your device from an authentic Apple outlet, your MacBook charger would be replaced at no cost.

Note that your device must be covered under AppleCare for it to be replaced. If you don’t meet these requirements, you will have to pay for a new MacBook charger. However, you might get a new charger at a discounted price if you make a strong case. Either way, you must replace a faulty or burnt MacBook charger for the sake of your device. Using damaged chargers can affect the stability of your battery and damage your MacBook altogether.