5 Mac Problems You Can Fix Yourself
Most of us use a Mac computer because it simply works. But when you run into a Mac problem, it can disrupt both your work and your mood. At Budget PC Upgrade Repair, we do provide computer diagnosis free of charge. But sometimes learning how to fix common Mac problems on your own can save you time and efforts and let you get back to work.
Today we’ll cover some common MacBook Air problems, MacBook Pro problems, Mac Mini problems and other common Mac issues and errors that you may run into while using your Apple computer.
Fixing Mac Problems: Things to Try First
Many of the problems can be resolved with a simple restart. Shutdown your Mac (Press Control + Eject, or press the power button) and unplug all cables. Restart and see if your problem has resolved itself.
Next, we recommend checking for any updates to your Mac software/OS. To update, tap the Apple icon at the top left of your Mac’s main menu bar, and choose Software Update. Updating may take a while, so make sure you have enough battery by plugging in your laptop. Also consider backing up your Mac using Time Machine or another backup system prior to doing this.
How to fix Slow or Lagging Mac
Noticed the beach ball spinning for a long time? Open the Activity Monitor. This shows all the processes running on your Mac computer, including which ones are heavily using your Mac’s resources.
The fastest way to open the Activity Monitor is to press Command and Spacebar at the same time and type Activity Monitor. Or you can go to Applications -> Utilities -> Activity Monitor. You can sort by what is using the most memory by clicking on the Memory column. If you see something that consumes an unusual amount of memory compared to other applications, try closing the app. Keep in mind that you may lose some unsaved data from turning off an application this way. If it is locked up, you can click on the name in Activity Monitor and then click the stop sign with an X through it in the upper left.
If it’s something you no longer use, consider uninstalling; simply drag the program to the Thrash. Otherwise, you should upgrade your computer to keep that Photoshop or Illustrator running smoothly.
How to Fix Mac Hard Drive Space Errors
When you turn your Mac on and see a message that the Startup disk is almost full, you need to delete the files you no longer use and see if the prompt goes away. The Thrash and the Downloads folder are the first two places you should look into.
You may find that you are hard-pressed for storage space, so buying a bigger internal hard drive or an external hard drive is a wiser solution to maintain all your documents, music, and movies.
How to Fix Mac Wi-Fi Problems
Sometimes you may lose internet connection randomly, or unable to connect at all. Turn off the Mac WiFi connection for at least 10 seconds by clicking on the WiFi icon. This will often solve the issue. Else, restart your modem and router by unplugging them for a good 30 to 60 seconds.
If those still don’t fix your Mac WiFi problems, check if you can connect to another WiFi network frequency. Many newer routers offer a 2.4GHz and a 5GHz connection, and you may find the latter to be more reliable. Click on the WiFi icon in the upper right and choose Network Preferences. Click on Advanced. Now look for your 5GHz or 5G network name and drag it to the top of the list. If this is the first time you connect to it, you will need to click on the Plus icon and then Show Networks. Click on the name and enter the password.
How to Fix Mac that Won’t Start Up
If your MacBook won’t turn on or start up, follow the directions in this article to solve these problems. It may help to disconnect all the accessories and peripherals that you have connected to your Mac, especially non-essential ones like External DVD or USB Drive.
How to Fix MacBook Not Charging Problems
Even with a new MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or MacBook Pro Retina, you may run into MacBook charging problems. If you own an older model with a removable battery, see if taking it out and reinserting it fixes the problem.
If the above steps don’t help, you can reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac. It can fix Macbook not charging problem and many other issues related to starting up and shutting down. The process of resetting the SMC on a Mac is different depending on the model of your Apple Computer, so we recommend following the instructions on this page.
I still have other mac problems. Help!
If the above steps still don’t solve your mac problems, or if you have problems with other operating systems, it’s time to give Budget PC Upgrade Repair a call or message. Our technicians will handle your valuable property carefully and give you an estimate before doing any repair or upgrade. We also can help with restoring your data on hard disks or USB drives.