No matter what problem you face with your Mac, this troubleshooting guide will help fix them. Perhaps your computer is not booting up, the apps are unresponsive, the battery drains rapidly, or the Mac displays error messages. Let’s look at the effective fixes.
Run Apple Diagnostics
Apple Diagnostics Mac is an in-built tool that helps detect what hardware components are causing problems and identify system failures. If you are facing issues with the stability or performance of your Mac, running this in-built tool can help you find the underlying hardware issues and fix them.
You can run Apple Diagnostics by pressing down the D key on the keyboard after you have restarted your system. The tool will check the power controller, RAM, battery, logic board, and other wireless modules. The entire process will take about three to five minutes.
Restart
Restarting your Mac is a universal troubleshooting tip for all kinds of problems. This is the quickest and easiest way to fix several problems. For instance, if there’s an app misbehaving and interfering with Mac’s performance, you can restart and relaunch the app. If the screen is flickering and it is caused by a software problem, restart your system, and the issue will be solved.
macOS Update
Regular software updates are released by Apple to fix minor glitches and software bugs. These updates also come with improved security patches that can enhance the stability and performance of your system. So, keep your system up-to-date to avoid encountering problems.
Boot in Safe Mode
If you cannot put your finger on the root cause of the problem, boot your system in Safe mode. This diagnostic mode will start your Mac with only the essential drivers and system files. This mode helps in identifying and fixing problems caused by third-party extensions and apps.
Reset the SMC or NVRAM/PRAM
SMC and NVRAM/PRAM are chips on your Mac that store the most critical settings. Resetting them may solve issues with your system’s performance, startup, and connectivity. You can follow the instructions for your specific Mac model on Apple’s official website.
Force Quit Misbehaving Apps
If an app has stopped responding or you are tired of seeing the rainbow cursor, force quit the app. Press Command + Option + Escape to force quit an unresponsive application. Relaunch the app to see if the issue persists. If so, check if there are any latest app updates that you have forgotten to install.
Turn off and on the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Restarting Bluetooth and Wi-Fi may help solve connectivity issues. But if toggling off and on doesn’t work, you have to check the compatibility of the Bluetooth devices. As for Wi-Fi, you can forget network settings and reconnect to the same network. Alternatively, you can restart the Wi-Fi router or call your ISP.
Free Up Startup Disk and Storage Space
Mac’s performance is significantly affected if there’s a lack of storage space. If your machine is running sluggishly and unable to perform simple tasks, start deleting all the unnecessary files and applications. Send to Trash all the redundant files in the Downloads folder and eliminate browser cache and cookies.
You must reclaim storage space on your Mac, so your computer can function efficiently. A good idea is to back up essential data on an external drive or send them to iCloud. This way, you will not lose your data and prevent your Mac from feeling bloated.
If you want to see how much storage space is occupied, click About This Mac and choose the Storage tab. Here, you will notice there’s an ‘Other’ section. This section can grow extremely large with clutter because it accumulates all kinds of files on your system, including old email attachments, movies, shows, etc. You can click the Optimize Storage option to get things in order.
Contact Apple Support
Have you tried all the above steps? Are you still having problems? It is time to contact Apple Support for assistance. The technicians are equipped to troubleshoot problems ailing your Mac.
Here are Some Additional Troubleshooting Tips:
- Use Google – Are you facing a specific problem? In most cases, a quick Google search will give you the solutions because Mac users post them online. You will find Apple’s support website offering a wealth of information and troubleshooting tips. Also, you will find forums, videos, and articles online that might help you.
- Go to your nearest service center – If you are unable to solve the issues ailing your Mac, it is best to take your computer to the nearest service center. A professional can quickly diagnose and resolve problems.
So, there you have it! Hoping that this post has been helpful for Mac users. If you have anything to add or want to share your experience troubleshooting your system yourself, please feel free to leave a comment below.
