MacBooks are known for their stability and user-friendly interface, but even the most loyal Apple users can sometimes encounter slowdowns and glitches. From problems like the Mac cursor disappears and application crashes to sluggish performance and startup disk problems, the issues are endless. While some need the intervention of trained technicians, others can be solved with a few DIY steps. This guide lays out some simple troubleshooting methods you can use to solve most macOS issues.
- Restart: The simplest yet powerful fix
This troubleshooting step may sound too obvious, but restarting is often the easiest and quickest way to resolve a multitude of Mac problems. Restarting clears temporary files, allows the system to refresh itself, and resets applications.
With this simple step, you can fix application freezes, slowdowns, and unexpected behavior. Click on the Apple logo and select Restart.
- Force quit: The solution for taming unresponsive applications
Sometimes, applications refuse to close normally and become unresponsive. In such cases, the force quit application tool comes in handy. You can access this tool by pressing Command + Option + Escape keys simultaneously. This is going to open a window displaying all the running applications. Choose the unresponsive application and click Force Quit to close it.
- Update: The healing touch!
Keeping your apps and software up-to-date is the healing touch your Mac needs to function to its optimal condition. Sometimes, the issues are caused due to security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues. They can be solved by simply updating the macOS operating system itself and the apps installed on your computer.
Updates come with performance enhancements, the latest bug fixes, and security patches.
- Safe mode: The best way to diagnose underlying issues
Safe mode is a diagnostic boot mode that only loads the essential components of the Mac operating system. This is helpful in identifying and resolving conflicts caused by startup items and third-party extensions. You can boot in Safe mode by holding down the Shift key while starting your system. Once you have entered Safe mode, run your Mac and see if the problem persists. If there’s no problem, then the issue likely lies with a recently installed extension or app.
To exit Safe mode, normally restart your Mac.
- Disk Utility: Use it to repair disk permissions
Disk permissions on your system might become corrupted as time goes on. This might result in unexpected behavior. You can utilize Disk Utility, which is an in-built tool, to verify and repair disk permissions. You can access this built-in tool by going to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility > choose your main hard drive > click the First Aid tab > click Repair Disk Permissions.
- Startup items: Manage them to optimize boot time
Are there too many apps launching at startup? This might be affecting your Mac’s boot time and slowing things down. The best way to solve this is by managing the startup items in System Settings. Manage the startup items by going to the Login Items tab and removing all the unnecessary applications.
- Reset PRAM and SMC: Troubleshooting hardware problems
The PRAM and SMC manage low-level hardware functions on your Mac computer. Resetting them can sometimes solve problems like fan noise, unexpected shutdowns, or wake/sleep problems.
Please note that the specific reset procedures vary depending on your Mac model. Check Apple’s support website for detailed instructions.
- Clearing cache files and system junk: Spring clean your system!
Cache data and temporary system files can accumulate over time and this contributes to slowdowns. You can clean it up manually or use applications like AppCleaner or CleanMyMacX to clean up caches and junk files.
- Reinstall macOS: Give your system a fresh start
If the solutions mentioned above don’t work, consider reinstalling macOS. This is going to erase your entire hard drive and install a fresh copy of the OS. However, before reinstalling macOS, you must back up all your essential data using Time Machine or any other preferred backup method.
- Apple Diagnostics: In-built hardware testing
Hardware issues are not that common but they may still cause disruptions in your workflow. Newer Mac models come with built-in Apple Diagnostics and you can run this to carry out a series of tests to check your Mac’s hardware for potential problems. If any hardware problem is detected, it will provide you with an error code. You can use this error code to look up troubleshooting information by going to the Support website of Apple.
In most cases, running Apple Diagnostics fixes hardware issues. However, if the problem is serious, you might need to take your Mac computer to an Apple-authorized service provider for repairs.
In Conclusion
These are simple troubleshooting tips to help you overcome most Mac problems and get back on track. So, don’t let system slowdowns or even cursor disappearing make you panic. Use the tips above so you can work without a hitch.
