MacBooks have a premium price. They are known for their reliability and exceptional features. However, no device is perfect, especially after you have been using it for a while.
Macs are no exception. You are bound to run into some problems eventually. What matters is how to approach them to minimize or eliminate the issue completely.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common MacBook problems users face and methods to overcome them.
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Table of Contents
Low Storage Space
Low storage space is one of the glaring issues. Compared to other laptop brands, Macs don’t offer as much storage as some users would like. And if they do, one has to pay extra.
If you like to hoard files on the device, you will notice that the total available disk space is slowly running out.
To avoid the problem, you need to be mindful of alternatives, such as iCloud and external storage accessories. Instead of keeping the files on the laptop, transfer them to another location.
Regularly removing temporary system junk and other useless files is worth a shout, too. The goal is to have at least 25% of the total disk space available free.
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Third-Party Accessories and Software Not Working
Apple is pretty strict when it comes to compatibility with other brands. You are likely to struggle with external Mac accessories, such as keyboards and mice. Double-check if an accessory works with a MacBook before buying it.
A similar thing applies to applications. iOS is pretty limited, especially with something like video games. The operating system does not accommodate some titles, though there’s been a change in that recently.
In cases when you cannot launch an app due to compatibility restrictions, you still have the option to use emulators.
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Processes Not Responding
Sometimes, your MacBook might not respond when you want to launch an application. For example, you might want to use Finder to organize the files on your device.
However, what happens if you try to launch the tool and it fails to open or opens and lags out? You have to quit it completely and relaunch again.
To stop Finder action, force quit it in the Launch menu or shut it via Terminal. Generally, this is what you should do with other applications that are not responding. Or, if none of these suggestions work, restart the MacBook.
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Spinning Beach Ball
A spinning beach ball appears when the device struggles to keep up with your commands, telling it to handle more tasks than possible.
Each application has what is known as a window server. If an app cannot manage given tasks, a spinning beach ball appears, telling you that the problem exists.
It is possible that there are too many background apps consuming system resources. If an app has no memory to take, for instance, it will need to think longer before starting and completing its task.
To reduce the odds of a spinning beach ball, try to close redundant background applications to free up the available memory and other resources.
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Screen Flickers
A screen flicker is not that common, but it still occurs from time to time. Using a MacBook in such a condition is more or less impossible.
The most likely reason behind screen flickers is incompatibility between the operating system and the video drivers.
If you notice flickers after updating the iOS, make sure that the drivers are up to date as well. In the worst case scenario, you will need to downgrade back to an older iOS version and wait for the drivers to catch up.
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Low Battery
Low battery becomes a significant problem when you don’t have a way to charge the Mac. It is all fine and good when you are at home or in a hotel room. On the other hand, if you do not have a way to charge the laptop, you could be in trouble.
In such cases, it is recommended to minimize the problem in the first place. Keep an eye on the battery’s health and react accordingly.
Avoid overcharging the MacBook and shutting it down instead of putting it to sleep. A few battery percentages might not seem like a lot, but they matter when you have no means to recharge the laptop.
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Sluggish Performance
An overall sluggish performance can be the result of multiple factors, including malware, low storage space, too many background apps, and outdated hardware.
Each cause requires different solutions, and you need to go through them one by one to determine what is behind the problem.
If general troubleshooting methods do not help, you will likely have to reinstall the operating system.