I have a 2017 MacBook and I'm wondering whether leaving it in a freezer for about five hours could damage the laptop. Would the cold itself be harmful, or would any problems happen when I take it back out?
2 Answers
Don’t put it in the freezer. A sealed bag may reduce moisture from the surrounding air, but it can’t guarantee that humidity already inside the laptop won’t condense as the temperature drops. If it has already been chilled, leave it powered off and let it return completely to room temperature before opening or charging it.
The cold probably won’t destroy it immediately, but taking it out is the real danger. As the frozen laptop warms up, moisture can condense inside and short out components. Five hours also exposes the battery and display to unnecessary thermal stress, with no real benefit.
If it’s overheating, shut it down, unplug it, and clean the vents and fans instead. A 2017 machine may simply be clogged with dust or have aging thermal paste.