Macs usually work smoothly unless they stop working. For instance, MacBook Air wont turn on or charge, the display may start flickering, the fan might make loud noises, Mac may start up with a flashing question mark, etc.
These problems are common, but they can ruin your day. In this guide, you will learn simple ways to deal with troubling Mac problems. However, if these fixes don’t resolve the issues, you may have to visit the nearest service centre.
Apple Diagnostics
Formerly known as Apple Hardware Test, Apple Diagnostics is a tool that checks the Mac for hardware issues.
You can use this tool if you suspect your system is facing a hardware problem. This test will determine which hardware component is at fault. Moreover, Apple Diagnostics suggests solutions to help solve hardware issues.
To run Apple Diagnostics, you must prepare your Mac. Shut down your system and disconnect all the external devices except the display, mouse, keyboard, and Ethernet connection.
Ensure that your device is on a stable surface with excellent ventilation. Then, start Apple Diagnostics. But the steps will differ depending on your Mac model.
- Apple Silicon Macs
Turn on your system and continue to hold the power button as your device starts up. Release the button when you see the startup options window and then press Command + D.
- Intel-based Macs
Switch on your Mac and then press the D key on the keyboard. Release the button when you see the progress bar or are asked to choose a language.
Repair Disk With Disk Utility
The integrity of Mac’s disk and file systems can be verified in Disk Utility. This is called First Aid in newer versions of macOS.
If the tool finds something wrong, you must repair it immediately. You can do so by booting into the Recovery Mode. You can do this by restarting your Mac and pressing the Command + R keys until you see the Apple logo.
When you are in the recovery console, go into Disk Utility and choose your computer’s primary hard drive. Then, click on Repair Disk or First Aid, defending on your macOS version.
Create a New User Account
Some problems are related to a specific user account. You can isolate the problematic account by creating a new user account. Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > click the padlock icon to unlock this section > click the plus button below the list of users and click the menu next to New Account > select Administrator as your account type. Enter the unique username and password for the account, and then click Create User to save the changes.
Install the Latest Macos and App Updates
It is essential to run the latest macOS and app versions to receive updated protection, performance enhancements, and protection.
You can upgrade the OS version of your Mac by going to System Preferences > Software Update and then following the prompts.
You can update the apps installed on your Mac by going to the App Store > clicking Updates. You can also turn on automatic updates so that the apps are updated without manual interference whenever you are connected to Wi-Fi.
Clear Cache
Clearing cache is a universal troubleshooting technique. It can also speed up your Mac and improve its performance.
Cache is data stored on your Mac to speed up certain processes. But this data can slow down the performance of your entire system and may even cause apps and browsers to misbehave.
On your Mac, there are three types of cache.
- App or user cache – This includes cache files created by all the applications you are using, including Mail and other third-party applications.
- System cache – This includes cached data created by the in-built system services.
- Browser cache – This refers to the cache data and browsing history saved from the websites you visit.
You can delete the cache in the following ways:
- You can delete cached app files stored on your Mac by opening Finder > press Shift + Command + G > in the Go to Folder field, type ~/Library/Caches > click Enter > open the folders with cached files and delete the chosen files.
- Clear system cache via Finder by going to /Library/Caches. You will find folders named com.apple. Open the folders and delete the redundant files.
- Clear the user app cache by opening Finder > going to ~/Library/Caches > remove the insides of ~/Library/Caches, but not the folders.
- Delete Safari website caches by opening Safari > going to Settings > clicking the Advanced tab > enabling Show Develop menu in the menu bar > going to Develop in the menu bar > choosing Empty Caches.
Final Thoughts
These are the easiest ways for Mac users to overcome troubling situations with their computers.
If these don’t work, call the technician or go to the nearest service centre and let the experts do their job.