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Basic macOS Troubleshooting


troubleshoot macos

If you're a Mac user, you know how important it is to keep your system running smoothly. Nothing can be more frustrating than dealing with slow startups, unresponsive apps, or pesky error codes. Fortunately, most of these issues are software-related, and you can often resolve them yourself without spending a dime. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the top troubleshooting steps to fix common macOS problems and keep your Mac in tip-top shape.



Troubleshooting macOS


1. Force Quit Misbehaving Apps

Has an app ever frozen on your Mac, leaving you staring at that infuriating beach ball cursor? To regain control, you can force quit misbehaving apps. Simply press Cmd + Option + Escape on your keyboard or click the Apple menu and choose Force Quit. In the window that opens, select the problematic app and click Force Quit. Reopen the app to see if the issue persists.


2. Reboot Your Mac

Sometimes, the best solution is to give your Mac a fresh start. Click the Apple menu and choose Restart or Shut Down. If your Mac is unresponsive and won't respond to clicks, press and hold the power button for a few seconds to force your Mac to restart or shut down. This action clears the memory and reloads macOS. Make it a habit to restart your Mac about once a week to maintain smooth performance.


3. Restart the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Connectivity issues can be a nuisance. If you can't connect to the internet or use AirDrop, try restarting your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Access the Control Center by clicking the switch icon in the top-right of the menu bar. Toggle off the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth icon and wait a few seconds before toggling it back on. On older macOS versions, click either icon in the menu bar and select Turn Wi-Fi Off or Turn Bluetooth Off.


4. Install the Latest macOS Updates

Keeping your macOS and apps up-to-date is essential for security and bug fixes. To upgrade your macOS version, select System Preferences from the Apple menu, click the Software Update icon, and follow the instructions. For app updates, open the App Store and click Updates in the sidebar. For non-App Store apps, choose the Check for Updates option in the app’s main menu or preferences window.


5. Create a New User Account

Sometimes, issues are tied to a specific user account. To isolate the problem, create a new macOS user account. Choose System Preferences in the Apple menu, select Users & Groups, and click the padlock in the bottom-left to unlock this section. Click the plus (+) button below the list of users, choose Administrator as the account type, create a unique username and password, and click Create User. You can quickly switch to the new account to see if the problem persists.


6. Free Up Storage Space on the Startup Disk

Is your Mac sluggish or slow to start up? It might be running low on storage space. Begin by deleting unwanted apps from your Applications folder and trashing unnecessary files in the Downloads folder. Empty the trash by Control-clicking the Trash in the Dock and selecting Empty Trash. To check your storage, choose About This Mac from the Apple menu and select the Storage tab. The "Other" section can accumulate clutter over time. To automatically delete old shows, movies, and email attachments, click the Manage button in the About This Mac window and choose Optimize Storage.


7. Repair Any Other Disks With Disk Utility

If your Mac won't boot properly, it could be a problem with the startup disk. To repair it, you'll need to run Disk Utility from Apple's macOS Recovery partition. During boot-up, hold Command + R to access Recovery Mode, select Disk Utility, and run First Aid to repair your disk


8. Erase and Restore Your Mac

If you are still not giving up in trying to resolve yourself, your last DIY resort maybe to consider erase and restore your Mac. This provides a fresh start with factory macOS settings and eliminates any malware infections. Before doing this, ensure you've backed up your important files using Time Machine or other backup methods. To initiate the factory reset, open System Preferences, click the System Preferences menu in the menu bar, and choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the instructions to wipe your startup disk clean, reinstall macOS, and start from scratch.


9. Seek Professional Help

If all else fails, consult Mac.Infinity. They can diagnose and repair more complex hardware issues about your Mac.


Create Your Own Mac Maintenance Regime

In conclusion, while no computer is perfect, you can prepare for all eventualities by creating a Mac maintenance regime that suits your needs. And with the knowledge provided in this guide, you're well-equipped to tackle the most common macOS issues you might encounter. Keep your Mac running smoothly and enjoy uninterrupted productivity.

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