MacBook burning smell: stop immediately and do this

You smell burning, a sharp smell of burnt plastic or electronics, and it seems to come from your MacBook or the charger. Always take a burning smell from a MacBook seriously. It may be a part overheating, a short circuit, or a damaged battery. This article explains what to do right away, where the smell can come from and why you should not charge the MacBook again until it has been checked.

Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam, including after short circuits and overheating.

What to do right away

1. Unplug the charger from the socket and the MacBook.
2. Shut the MacBook down. If that does not work normally, hold the power button for ten seconds.
3. Put it on a hard, non-flammable surface, such as a stone floor or a plate, away from paper and fabric.
4. Stay nearby and keep an eye on it for a while.
5. If you see smoke, sparks or fire, or the MacBook gets very hot or bulges: get away, keep your distance and call emergency services (112).

Where can the smell come from?

• The charger or cable: a damaged cable, a dirty or bent plug or a faulty charger can get hot. Smell the charger separately from the MacBook.
• The charging port: dirt or moisture in the port can cause a short. You sometimes see brown or black discolouration.
• The logic board: a component burning out, often after water damage.
• The battery: a damaged or swollen battery can get hot and give off a sweet or chemical smell. See swollen battery.
• Dust in the fan: a light dusty smell from a very warm MacBook. That is less serious, but a sign the cooling needs cleaning. See cleaning the fan.

What not to do

• Do not charge it again to see whether it still works.
• Do not open it yourself if the battery is hot or bulging.
• Do not put it in a bag or sleeve while still warm.
• Do not use water on a hot battery.

How long to keep an eye on it?

A damaged battery can keep warming up for some time after switching off. So leave the MacBook in a safe place for at least a few hours and feel now and then whether the bottom gets warmer. If it cools down and no longer smells, the immediate danger is usually over. During that time do not put it on your bed or on a wooden table full of papers, and do not leave it unattended on the charger overnight.

What it means for your data

With burnt components on the logic board the storage is often still fine. On MacBooks with an Apple chip the storage is fixed on the logic board; then the board has to work again to reach it. See logic board broken: repair or replace.

After water damage

A burning smell after a spilled drink often points to a short circuit from corrosion. The sooner the MacBook is checked, the better the chance the damage stays limited. See liquid spilled: what now.

Prevention

• Use a good charger and cable, and replace a damaged cable immediately.
• Keep the charging port clean.
• Do not charge the MacBook on a bed or sofa with the vents covered.

What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam

We open the MacBook safely, find where the burning smell came from, measure the logic board and battery and tell you what is needed and what it costs. More on our page about MacBook logic board repair.

Frequently asked questions

The MacBook still works. Can I just use it?

Preferably not until it has been checked. A part that burned can short again.

My new MacBook smells a little. Is that bad?

A light "new" smell in the first days is normal. A sharp burning smell is not.

Can I bring the MacBook to the repairer like this?

Yes, if it is cool and not bulging. Carry it switched off, without the charger.