Glossary · 用語
Thermal throttling.
Thermal throttling is what happens when your MacBook’s chip slows itself down because it’s too hot. The CPU drops below its rated clock speed to avoid damage, and the same heat also pauses battery charging.
macOS triggers throttling around 100°C internal silicon temp. When charging pauses for heat (separate from throttling, but usually caused by the same condition), the menu bar can read “Not Charging” even with the adapter plugged in. The system isn’t broken; it’s protecting the cells.
Heat is also the single biggest accelerator of battery aging. Industry-standard estimates put the curve at roughly +10°C ≈ halved lifespan. A MacBook left in a hot car or charging on a duvet ages its battery measurably faster than one running warm on a desk.
Common causes: dust-clogged vents, sustained 100% CPU load, sun on the lid, hot ambient temperature, or a video call that won’t release the GPU. Sensei surfaces the live thermal state next to the watts readout. When charge holds steady while plugged in, that’s usually why.