When talking about workhorses, Mac computers are at the top of the list. However, even the most reliable machines experience occasional hiccups, and Mac computers are no different. But there’s no need to panic. Many of the Mac problems faced by users can be solved by implementing simple solutions at home without the need to run to the nearest Apple service center. Continue reading to walk through some of the common problems faced by Mac users and learn of the solutions.
The Catastrophe Of A Failing Hard Drive
A corrupted or damaged hard drive is a serious issue and leads to data loss. In extreme cases, you might need to use third-party data recovery tools like Disk Drill to recover files from a corrupted hard drive. But if you implement some simple yet effective steps initially, you wouldn’t need to turn towards data recovery tools. The troubleshooting steps are:
Back up your Mac regularly while the hard drive is still functional. You can transfer your essential files and documents to an external storage drive using Time Machine or to iCloud.
Try to fix any structure or directory issues on the hard drive by launching Disk Utility > choosing your hard drive > clicking the First Aid tab > choosing Repair Disk.
Boot your system in Safe Mode to find out whether the problem is related to hardware or software. If the system boots successfully in Safe Mode, it means the issue is related to the software, and the hardware is fine.
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The Frustration Of A Slow Mac
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It can be incredibly frustrating to work with a slow and sluggish Mac. Try the following troubleshooting tips to get things moving:
Force quit the unresponsive applications by pressing Command + Option + Escape.
Review the processes and applications running in the background by opening the Activity Monitor. Then, quit the processes or apps that are consuming the maximum resources and making your system slow.
Tidy up the startup items list to stop unnecessary applications from launching at startup. To do this, head to System Settings > Users & Groups > click your user and click the Login Items. Then, click the minus icon for all the applications you want to remove from the startup list.
Declutter your desktop to ensure it isn’t visually overwhelming or impacting the way your Mac performs. Start by organizing the files into folders. You can even use Mission Control and Stacks to improve your organization.
Free up storage space by deleting all the unnecessary files and documents.
Solve The Problem Of Applications Not Launching
Are applications not launching? It can be extremely disruptive and delay your workflow. You can get the apps running again by implementing the following troubleshooting tips:
Ensure all the applications are updated so they don’t encounter compatibility issues. Go to the App Store > head to the Updates tab and install the updates that are available.
Review the permissions you’ve given the different applications and revoke the ones that are not required.
Reinstall the application if the issue persists.
Restart your Mac to clear temporary glitches, and the application should launch.
Deal With Wi-Fi Woes
An unstable or weak Wi-Fi connection can be a productivity killer. Some solutions to get you back online are:
Restart your Wi-Fi modem and router. A simple restart can solve connectivity issues.
Forget the network you are connected to and then rejoin it. For this, you will need to enter the password.
Run Diagnostics to find out the issue behind the unstable Wi-Fi connection. Then, troubleshoot the issue by following the on-screen instructions.
Look for software updates, and if there are any available, install them. The updates may come with fixes for Wi-Fi connection woes.
If nothing works, you can reset network settings.
Fix The Screen Issue Dilemma
Is your Mac’s screen freezing, and is that disrupting your workflow? Although a frozen screen can be alarming, it is usually a temporary glitch. Try these troubleshooting steps to regain control and resolve screen issues:
Force a restart by holding down the power button until your Mac computer restarts. However, please note that doing this will cause you to lose all the unsaved data.
Boot your Mac into Safe mode so that the software conflicts causing the freeze can be solved.
Try resetting PRAM/NVRAM and SMC. Doing this can resolve screen issues. However, the exact steps for resetting them depend on your Mac model. You can check the manual for your model or consult Apple’s support team to learn the exact steps.
The Bottom Line
So, these are some of the common Mac computer problems that users deal with and their potential solutions. If you encounter any of the problems covered here, do not hesitate to implement the strategies mentioned to resolve them. Also, you can reach out to Apple’s support resources to have qualified technicians troubleshoot the problems you are facing.