Being tech-savvy won’t protect you from the perils of computer ownership. Mac computers are known for their reliability and first-class tech packages.
However, even Mac computers have issues from time to time. Please look at these ten tips on how to fix a Mac when it’s not working properly.
1. Photos-Not Opening
Your Mac computer is great at reading different media file types regardless of their source. But occasionally, you’ll download images from the internet that don’t open.
This is because the download extension in the command windows sometimes erases the file extension. For example, the extension must remain intact if you download an image and rename the file when choosing a destination.
To do this, highlight only the portion of the name you want to change. Leave the.JPEG or.TIFF or any other file extension as-is to avoid issues once the file is downloaded.
2. Freezes
Even the best computer gets performance anxiety from time to time. When your Mac freezes in the middle of a program, you have two options: wait or Force Quit.
If you’re running one or more memory-heavy programs, it’s reasonable to wait a few minutes before opening new apps. The other programs may need time to calibrate before they enter idle mode.
If you need to Force Quit to fix a Mac, click the Apple icon in the top left corner of your desktop. Click ‘Force Quit’ and the name of the unresponsive program.
The program will close, taking all of your unsaved information with it.
3. Login Issues
When you log in to your Mac, the last color you want to see is blue. It usually means that a startup item is incompatible with the macOS. This will invariably lead you on a scavenger hunt to uncover which of your many startup apps is the culprit. There’s no quick way to fix a Mac with this error. Follow a trial and error method until you find the problem app.
To remove the startup app you think is causing the issue, go to System Preferences, then click ‘Users and Groups.’ Select your name on the left under ‘Current User.’ Click the ‘Login Items’ tab at the window’s top right. Delete the app by clicking it and then the ‘-‘ button. This removes it from your list of startup apps.
4. Spinning Ball
Newer Macs show the colorful beachful much less frequently than older models. But if you’re starting to notice that beach ball popping up on your screen regularly, your Mac is having speed issues. You can diagnose the problem using the Activity Monitor. Open the searchlight and type ‘Activity Monitor’ to open the control panel. The Activity Monitor shows real-time information about how much memory each app on your computer uses. Try closing any apps using too much memory to get the beachball to go away.
5. No Internet Connection
Macs hate being without an internet connection. To avoid angering the Mac gods, use these troubleshooting tips to fix a Mac without a network connection.
First, tell your computer to forget the last network it was connected to. Please turn off your WiFi for 10 seconds and turn it back on.
Next, select an available WiFi connection as if your computer was getting set up for the first time. To do this, open the ‘Network’ menu under ‘System Preferences.’
Highlight the ‘Advanced’ button in the left corner to see a list of networks. This list includes all WiFi connections you’ve had in the past.
Choose your WiFi network and click the ‘-‘ button. Select ‘Remove’ so the computer forgets it. When you click the WiFi icon in the top menu bar of your home screen, you’ll be shown the network as an option again, but this time, you’ll be prompted to enter a password to start anew.
6. Finding Safe Mode
Sometimes, your computer can’t seem to get its act together even after you’ve modified the startup apps in your repertoire. Knowing Safe Mode on startup is a good rule of thumb.
This allows the computer to use only the minimum amount of software and drivers when starting up. You can use this bare-bones mode to check your startup disk for errors or make system changes without freezes or memory issues.
7. Computer Won’t Boot Up
There are moments when your Mac won’t start up at all. How do you fix a sleeping machine? If you can get the computer to power on, try clearing the PRAM. PRAM is a memory used on Apple computers to maintain your configuration info.
When you power on your Mac, hold Command + Open + P + R. All four buttons should be held down simultaneously. When you hear the Apple chime, hold the keys until the computer chimes again. The second chime indicates that the PRAM has been cleared.
8. Video Camera Malfunction
Mac computers usually have built-in cameras in the top center of the monitor. This camera automatically starts whenever an app that uses it starts up.
If your video camera won’t start, here is the simplest way to turn on the camera on a Mac. First, open your computer’s ‘Activity Monitor’ on the ‘Applications’ menu.
You’ll see a list of open apps and the memory each app uses on your machine. The important thing to note is which apps use your computer’s camera.
Since only one app can use the camera at a time, you’ll need to close any camera-related apps, so use the one you need now. Try your video camera again.
The computer might require restarting if the app using the camera won’t close properly.
9. Software Won’t Install
If a program won’t download or install on your machine, it’s possible your computer won’t allow the download because the developer can’t be verified. You can override this, but it’s not recommended. If Apple is blocking your download, it’s probably for a good reason. Unknown publishers are usually the source of malware and viruses on Apple devices.
10. Latest OS Won’t Download
Mac users are regularly prompted to download new MacOS software when it becomes available. If your computer keeps blocking the download, you might not have space for the update. Delete any unneeded files on your hard drive to free up the space you need. Please restart your computer before attempting to download it again.
Should I Fix a Mac on My Own?
It’s easy to fix a Mac when you know the issue is software-related. A professional best handles hardware issues. Once you’ve diagnosed the problem and know it can’t be fixed using common troubleshooting solutions, connect with a certified Mac repair company to select your device. For more information and tips, visit our blog for updates.
