People frequently blame their MacBook’s demise on excessive heat. Hot charging cables, leaving your laptop in the car on a sunny day, and running it with too many programs can all lead to internal issues. Cold temperatures, on the other hand, are equally damaging to your MacBook, and frost can cause irreparable damage.
When your MacBook gets cold, the battery can freeze, crack, or even begin to expand when it warms up again. Your MacBook has a lithium-ion battery that should not be charged below 32°F (0°C), though Apple recommends charging and using it above 50°F (10°C).
Throughout this article, we’ll also discuss why you shouldn’t leave your MacBook outside in the cold:
- How cold can it get before irreversible damage occurs?
- What should you do if your MacBook Air won’t turn on when it’s cold?
- Warming up your laptop before turning it on.
How Cold Can a MacBook Pro Handle?
Apple recommends charging and using the MacBook at temperatures above 50°F (10°C). When the lithium-ion battery warms up again, it may freeze, crack, or expand.
You’ve come to the right place if you’re worried about your MacBook Pro getting too cold this winter. Leaving it outside, in a car, or anywhere else where it will be exposed to freezing temperatures can lead to long-term problems. Instead of putting your MacBook Pro at risk every time you store it, consider the following suggestions.
Temperature Recommendations for MacBooks
Forbes Apple has established temperature guidelines for their MacBook Pros that range from 50°F (10°C) to 95°F (35°C). These guidelines apply to the majority of Apple products, including the majority of MacBook models, tablets, desktop computers, smartphones, and so on. Although some people have had success using their Apple devices outside of these parameters, it is not advised.
MacBooks Are Dangerous at Low Temperatures
If your MacBook gets too hot, the internal components may burn out. Did you know, however, that low temperatures can cause similar problems? When the frost melts, for example, it turns into water, destroying the battery and other components. It’s best not to let your MacBook Pro get any colder than the temperatures listed above.
Recommendations for Proper Storage
The best way to keep your MacBook Pro from getting too cold is to store it properly. When not in use, for example, keep it in a laptop backpack or sleeve as much as possible. Keep in mind that your MacBook should not be exposed to direct sunlight or freezing temperatures, as both can have irreversible consequences.
Unfortunately, many people fail to protect their MacBooks from freezing temperatures. We often associate heat with electronic damage, but it’s critical to never allow your tech equipment to exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations. In the following section, we’ll look at a few common issues that may arise.
The MacBook Air is too cold to turn on
If you turn on your MacBook Air but it won’t turn on, cold temperatures are most likely to blame. When your laptop gets too cold, it stops working properly, just like your phone or tablet. There are numerous reasons why an icy day could cause severe problems, all of which we will discuss today.
Here are five possible explanations for your MacBook Air’s inability to turn on:
- The battery could have cracked. If it gets too cold, the battery in your laptop may crack due to the increased pressure. Water contracts and expands, causing the case to crack, internal components to chip, and the device to become nearly unusable. If this occurs, it will take significantly longer to turn on (if ever).
- Your MacBook’s battery may have died. Hot and cold temperatures can drain your laptop’s battery as it attempts to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the previous section. This process wears it down, but all you have to do is charge the battery and you’ll be fine. You should never charge a cold battery, according to MacSalesOpens in a new tab.
- It is possible that the charging cable or block has been damaged. While the cable is usually durable, your MacBook Air’s charging block is prone to the same problems as the battery. It will not function if it is too cold or frozen. Cold air can cause cracks and expose internal components to a variety of problems.
- Frost can wreak havoc on any component of your MacBook. Everything needs to be protected from cold temperatures, whether it’s the battery, charging block, hard drive, or any other component. Low temperatures do not have to be snowy or rainy for your MacBook to be permanently damaged.
- It’s possible that your laptop needs to be warmed up. Warming up your laptop before using it is sometimes all that is required. Allow it a few minutes under blankets, in a pillowcase, and away from cold rooms. Keeping your MacBook Air warm can make a huge difference in its longevity and usability.
Apple designed MacBooks to last a long time, but exposing them to extreme cold will drastically reduce their lifespan. To avoid the problems mentioned above, everything from the laptop itself to the charging block must be stored in a secure location. Instead of letting it freeze, take a look at the numerous helpful suggestions listed below.
How Do I Get My MacBook Pro to Warm Up?
The good news is that your MacBook is unlikely to be ruined if it gets cold once or twice. Even if it’s too cold to activate, there’s a lot you can do to keep it in good condition. Before we get started, keep in mind that you should never use pocket warmers, space heaters, or leave your laptop near a fireplace to warm it up. These blunders could cost you your laptop.
The following are the four steps to warming up your MacBook Pro:
1. Carry your MacBook Pro in a sleeve or a backpack (or both). Protecting your laptop from extreme temperatures is the first step in proper storage. Insulation is provided by backpacks, sleeves, and cases. If you leave your laptop in a backpack or at the very least a laptop messenger bag, it won’t get nearly as cold.
2. Move it to a warmer location. Regardless of all other suggestions, Kuzy Products. states that moving your laptop into a temperature-appropriate room can make all the difference in the world. If you try to warm your laptop in a cold environment, you risk creating cold air pockets.
3. Keep your laptop off the ground by wrapping it in thin sheets. Warm temperatures rise, and heat is absorbed by the ground. Leaving your MacBook Pro at a low temperature will cause it to lose heat. Instead, bundle it in a few sheets or leave it in a pillowcase with a pillow to quickly raise its temperature.
4. If necessary, use fans to raise the temperature and remove frost. Although fans appear to lower the temperature of your laptop, they actually move ambient air across its surface. This procedure replaces cold air with room-temperature air. It’s a quick way to get your laptop up and running and ready to charge.
Gradually raising the temperature of your MacBook often brings it back to life, allowing you to charge and use it as you wish. If it doesn’t turn on, call Apple’s customer service at 800–692–7753. Check your laptop’s warranty to see if it’s covered for cold-related damage.
Also Check: Is It Worth To Replacing A MacBook Pro Screen? Is It Just A Waste?
Conclusion:
Now that you understand why it’s bad for your Apple MacBook to get cold, you can try some of the previously mentioned tips to keep your laptop in good condition. Your MacBook is susceptible to freezing and other coldrelated problems whether it’s in a car, garage, or backpack. To stay within Apple’s guidelines, keep it above 50°F (10°C).
Here’s a quick rundown of the article:
- Keep your laptop in a temperature-controlled environment.
- Use fans, blankets, and sleeves to keep your MacBook warm.
- If it gets too cold, the battery on a MacBook can freeze and crack.