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Question

InDesign using lots of energy and causing my computer to heat up

Forum|Forum|27 days ago
August 19, 2026
15 replies
142 views

I am finding that my computer is heating up to an unusual level and the fans are activating when I use InDesign, even though the tasks I’m performing are very basic and not at all demanding of the processor.

My computer is a MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip, purchased in April this year, so it should easily be capable of performing these tasks without needing to activate the fans to cool itself down.

My version of InDesign is definitely up to date and I have tried uninstalling InDesign and reinstalling.

Is anyone else finding that Indesign is putting unreasonable demands on their processor?

nik.m

Community Manager

Hi @Ross5C77, just wanted to follow up and check whether you’ve tried the suggested steps. If not, please try them and let us know how it goes.

Thanks,
Nikunj

R

Ross5C77Author

Participating Frequently

I have tried the suggestion of disabling Generative AI and I thought that had helped a bit as it seemed my computer was generating less heat. Then a couple of days ago I was using InDesign to create a business card, totally basic task, entirely vector, no large images involved but the fans were spinning up and there was quite a concerning degree of heat coming from the underside.

Most other suggestion had already been covered - laptop is open and sitting on an elevator stand, so air can flow freely all round the unit and the air vents are not obstructed in any way.

I have tried uninstalling/reinstalling.

leo.r

Community Expert

Did you get a chance to try installing macOS 27 beta on a separate volume of your drive and see if it solves M5 overheating issues, like some users reported?

leo.r

Community Expert

Some other similar reports about M5 even though not specifically related to InDesign:
https://www.reddit.com/r/macgaming/comments/1s9knc1/macbook_pro_m5_max_is_a_beast_but_is_this_heat/
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256251650?sortBy=rank

Also, do you see anything suspicious in CPU and memory stats in Activity Monitor?

leo.r

Community Expert

…and here’s a brand new post on MacRumors that suggests that the upcoming macOS Golden Gate may improve overheating issues on M5:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-releases-macos-golden-gate-beta-6.2487028/post-34732092

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

Make sure you are using the latest version of InDesign. Also try using the previous version to see if the problem persists.

Also, if you having already, prop up the back of the laptop so air flow and get underneath. If oyu haven’t done so, get a case to protect the laptop with legs.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

R

Ross5C77Author

Participating Frequently

Yes, I uninstalled InDesign and reinstalled to ensure it was the latest version with a completely clean install. The MacBook Pro is on an elevator stand so there is airflow all round and the vents are completely unobstructed.

leo.r

Community Expert

Yes, I uninstalled InDesign and reinstalled to ensure it was the latest version with a completely clean install.

If you have the time and desire, you can install the beta of macOS 27 on a separate volume and test the hypothesis that Golden Gate solves the M5 overheating issue, which I mentioned above.

Mike Witherell

Community Expert

What happens if you turn off Preferences > Generative AI… both switches. OK. Restart. Does it calm down?

Mike Witherell

R

Ross5C77Author

Participating Frequently

Thanks for the suggestion Mike

I tried this and I thought it had made a positive difference as my computer seemed to be generating less heat and I was not aware of the fans running at the same rate. But then just a couple of days ago I was using InDesign to create a business card. This was a very basic task with no big demands being placed on the processor, no images being used at all, but my computer quickly heated up and the fans audibly activated. So I am back to square one.

Peter Spier

Community Expert

Are you using an external monitor instead of the built-in screen? I find my windows notebook consistently overheats the video and blanks out for a few seconds in warm weather unless I leave the lid cracked open with air flowing across it.

R

Ross5C77Author

Participating Frequently

Yes, I have an Apple Studio Display connected, but I am using both screens, so the laptop is open at all times. The laptop is also on a stand so the vents are not obstructed in any way.

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