How to Detect and Fix Common Mac Problems

Did you get the impression that Mac computers were absolutely perfect and resistant to any type of failure? That was before you owned one. After you got your very own Mac, you realize that, like any other machine, it’s prone to issues. Maybe less than other computer brands, but the problems are there. 

When it comes to malware, Macs are less prone to it when compared to Windows machines. But you may experience issues with hardware and app functionality. Remember this: malware is not excluded, either. 

Let’s see: what are the things that commonly go wrong, and how can you fix them?

Tips: How to Fix Common Issues with Mac Computers

Applications Not Starting

Mac apps make your user experience lovely. They are designed well, and they are easier to access than websites. But from time to time, they may malfunction. If you’re wondering why iMessage not working on Mac, the first thing you should check is if it’s been updated. Maybe you forgot to set up your Mac to automatically update all apps. 

If that doesn’t work, you can try deleting the application’s preference file. These PLIST files may get corrupted when the program crashes or freezes. If you delete a file of bad preference, your computer will create a whole new PLIST file based on the default settings of the application. 

Here’s where you’ll find the PLIST file to delete: Library > Preferences. Find the file that matches the malfunctioning app, and search for the PLIST in it. 

The Mac Won’t Start Up

When you have to start work ASAP, your computer not starting up is the most frustrating experience. First, you should check: is your computer turning on in the first place? You’ll do that by pressing the Power button. If the startup chime doesn’t occur, there’s nothing on the display, and you don’t hear any noise from the drive or fan, it means that the computer fails to turn on. In that case, you should check the power connection and try a different power cable.

If the computer does turn on but fails to start up, you can boot it up through the Safe Mode. To do this, start up the Mac while holding down the Shift key. It takes a few moments for the Safe Mode to start. Here, you can check the file system, reset the SMC, reset the NVRAM, and run Disk Utility.

Also read: How to Play Roblox on Chromebook without Google Play in 2020

The Nerve-Wracking Spinning Beach Ball

This is something we’ve all seen. Its official name is the spinning wait cursor. It shows up when you force your Mac to perform many tasks at once. When the system cannot handle all things you throw at it, it slows down and the ball appears. 

Waiting is the first solution. Leave your computer alone, and it will take a few seconds before the beach ball disappears. After that, you might want to quit some of the operations you’re running.

If your computer’s hard disk is running out of space, you’ll start seeing the beach ball more often. The official recommendation is to have 10% of free disk space at all times, so your Mac can run its operations without interruptions. If you got beyond that point, it’s time to get rid of some apps and files.   

The Mac Freezes in the Middle of a Task

You may have noticed some symptoms before this occurred. Maybe your computer was slow. But suddenly, an app becomes completely unresponsive in the middle of a task. What can you do?

Force-quitting the app is the easiest solution. To do that, you should right-click its icon in the Dock. You’ll find the Force Quit option there. If that doesn’t help, you can force your computer to reboot by pressing and holding the power button. Keep in mind that you may lose some unsaved data if you reboot your computer or force quit an application.  

You Still Have a Great Computer

The issues we described above are not that serious. Even if you don’t manage to solve them yourself, you can take your computer to an Apple Store and you’ll get it fixed. No machine is flawless. Macs are still better than any other computer; but you should be ready for some problems that might occur.

Author Bio

James Dorian is a technical copywriter. He is a tech geek who knows a lot about modern apps that will make your work more productive. James reads tons of online blogs on technology, business, and ways to become a real pro in our modern world of innovations.