Mac Troubleshooting: Solutions to 9 Common Problems

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Running into a Mac problem threw you off, did it not? The thing about Mac is that Apple makes things so straightforward and seamless, and it gives you a sense of security. You get used to everything working so well that when something goes wrong, it comes as a surprise. 

Before you make a call or a trip to the Apple Store, we’re going to help you with a Mac troubleshooting guide that will help you, regardless of what kind of Mac you own. From minor issues such as your Mac not turning on to more complex issues such as kernel panic, read our Mac troubleshooting tips, and fix yours like a pro. 

1. Your Mac Won’t Turn On

If your MacBook isn’t turning on, start by checking the power and battery source. 

Ensure the Mac system is connected to a reliable power source and check whether the plug and cord are damaged. Draining the battery and charging it to 100% is also a good idea so that it resets the cycle. 

If that’s not the problem, reset the SMC, or Systems Management System on your Mac. If you have a desktop, unplug the power input for a few seconds and connect it back to reset the SMC. If you have a laptop, follow these steps. 

  • Restart your Mac and press Shift+Control+Option buttons
  • Press the power button and hold all four buttons for 10 seconds
  • Let go and start your Mac

2. Mac Troubleshooting for Black Screen

If your Mac screen goes black is an adverse Mac problem, your Mac troubleshooting solutions should start by pressing the power button to turn on the system. Hold the power and S buttons for 10 seconds to make the system sleep. Wait 15 seconds more, then press the power button. 

If the problem is software related, then booting it in safe mode might work. Turn on the Mac and hold your Shift key, which will achieve the goal automatically. Once it turns on, check the settings to fix the problem. 

3. Full Startup Disk

The startup disk is highly essential, and you need to ensure it doesn’t accumulate too much. If it hits 80%, it may slow the whole system down, so start by deleting all unnecessary files. Launch your Finder and delete any unwanted videos, pictures, or documents. 

If that doesn’t work, open the Mac Library and move the cache, temp, and log files. Once you are done deleting, head to the Trash app and get rid of everything permanently. If the problem is still persistent, delete some apps. For this Mac troubleshooting, go to the Finder, then application first. Right-click on the apps you wish to delete and move to trash. 

If you need to resort to formatting the disk, go to Applications > Disk Utility and select disk. Click on the erase button to format the disk. Note that it will delete everything in the disk. 

4. Mac Kernel Panic

This is among the serious Mac problems you could face because it tampers with the usual processes of the system. It may not boot in the normal mode, but the Mac troubleshooting solution for this is quite straightforward. Start with checking for hardware damage and ensure all peripheral devices are working.

Check your Kernel logs by booting the Mac in safe mode. Go to Finder>Library>Logs>DiagnosticReports to find the kernel logs. Open them and look for faulty entries then remove the application. 

5. Safari Not Working

Safari is the default browser for Mac, and this is among the most common Macintosh problems. The simplest Mac troubleshooting solution is relaunching Safari, and if that doesn’t work, force close it by pressing Option+Command+Esc. 

The solution may be removing faulty plugins, so launch Safari and go to Preferences>Extensions and uninstall any unreliable plugins. If it’s still unresponsive, clear the website data and browsing history because it slows down processing. To troubleshoot this Mac problem, launch Safari and go to Preferences>Privacy>Remove all website data. 

6. Mac Sound Not Working

This could be a software or hardware problem, so start by checking the ports and hardware. Check to see that your speakers and headphones are in good condition by trying them with a different system. 

The Mac troubleshooting solution may lie in your sound controller, so go to Finder>Applications>Utility>Activity Monitor. Look for “coreaudiod” and close it forcefully. Launch iTunes to access your music files on Mac. If you are facing a Bluetooth problem and your Mac cannot play music, check out how to turn Bluetooth on Mac

7. Accidentally Deleted Data

This is an increasingly common Mac problem. You lose important files out of the blue, and go half-crazy trying to figure out what to do. However, it’s an easy Mac troubleshooting tip that even you can do yourself. 

Start by using a data recovery tool, and if you don’t have one in your Mac yet, you need to get one because it comes in handy. There are many data recovery applications for Mac out there, and you can get one that supports different formats. 

8. Mac Can’t Install MacOS

This is also among the more common Mac problems, especially if you’re trying to install more than one operating system. Start by resetting the Parameter RAM and the Non Volatile RAM. Do this by restarting the system and pressing P + R + Option + Command keys. Hold onto them to reset then restart your Mac once the process is done. 

If that doesn’t work, your Mac could be booting through a faulty disk. To troubleshoot this, restart your Mac and hold the Option/Alt key to get the Startup Window Manager. Choose the MacOS installer disk.

9. Your Mac is Running Slow

There are many reasons why your Mac could be running slow so you could start by clearing your storage. Get rid of all the unnecessary data from the system, including pictures, movies, and files. You can also go to the Library folder and delete the cache files. 

The problem may also be an old OS, so consider updating it by going to the Apple menu on your Finder. Click on Software Update and follow the provided instructions.

It’s A Wrap!

After reading all these Mac troubleshooting tips, I hope that you found a solution to your Macintosh problem. Using the procedures above will resolve some of the most common Mac problems, so before you consider heading over to the nearest repair store, try and see if they work for you.

You should also go through our website for more Mac tips.