The MacBook Air Retina 13-inch 2020 (Model A2179 – Intel version) features a single cooling fan located at the upper left corner of the logic board.
This fan is thermally regulated via CPU sensors to maintain performance and prevent overheating.
Over time, the fan may become noisy, seize due to dust buildup or lubricant loss, leading to thermal throttling or shutdowns.
Replacement involves removing the bottom case, disconnecting the battery, detaching the fan cable, and unscrewing the mount — relatively easy with P5 and T5 tools.
The OEM-compatible fan automatically adjusts RPM via macOS firmware and does not require additional software.
Estimated replacement time is 20–30 minutes. Thermal paste cleaning can be performed simultaneously for optimal cooling.