Do you own a MacBook? Is it starting to act strangely in different ways? Though Macs offer several advantages over Windows PC like crystal clear screens and superb overall build quality, it doesn’t mean they are impervious to issues. 

Like with all computers, there comes a time when your Mac begins to show performance problems. Some problems are serious but most are common. 

But the question is how do you tell if a problem only requires a simple fix or a trip to the repair shop?

Continue reading below as we discuss some common Macintosh problems and how to fix them.

When to Replace Your Old Mac

Before we discuss some common Macintosh problems, let us first tackle some of the reasons that tell you it’s time to replace your MacBook. This way, you can better determine if you can fix the problem by yourself. Here are four signs that you need to consider replacing your Mac: 

You’re Out of Space

As the years of your Mac’s service accumulate, so do the files that you dump into its hard drive. If you reach a point where you free up space to accommodate new ones, it may be time to consider buying the latest MacBook.

Yes, there is the option of getting an external hard drive. But keep in mind that they do not come with your Mac. Hence, there is the risk of losing your files altogether if the hard drive begins to fail or sustains significant damage.

Getting a new one, preferably the ones that come with 1 TB of storage, you can ensure the safety of your files.

Poor Specs

A freezing Mac screen is fixable. You can also remedy a dwindling battery life. The same thing goes for apps that load slower than normal.

But experiencing all of these at the same time every single day means it’s time to get a new MacBook. Multiple problems happening at the same time means your Mac already has poor specs.

Though some people may suggest that you replace the old battery or get more RAM, it may be more cost-effective if you buy a new one.

Significant Hardware Damage

If your MacBook sustained serious physical damage, you may consider replacing it. Hardware damage can range anywhere from non-functioning ports to a broken display.

Again, you may consider going to the repair shop but if the damages are extensive, it may be wiser to get a new one.

It is Simply Old

Last but not least, you may consider replacing your MacBook if it is way too old. If you are using a MacBook that is already a decade old (or more), it can no longer support the latest macOS versions. 

Thus, a timely replacement is in order.

Common Macintosh Problems You Can Fix

Now let us move on to some Mac issues and their corresponding fixes. Let’s take a look at 10 of the most common ones below:

1. The Blank Startup Screen

Don’t panic when you fire up your Mac and the startup screen goes blank. A blank screen can have different meanings. The key to determining the problem lies in the color of the screen.

If the screen is either blue or black, it means your computer is loading a problematic app. It can also be a problem with a login function. 

To resolve this, press the power button and hold it for about six seconds. You may also boot in Safe Mode if this doesn’t work. Thereafter, remove the problematic login items or apps. 

A little help from tools like CleanMyMac will go a long way.

Meanwhile, a grey screen means that key software is not working. Sometimes, an Apple logo may appear in the middle of the grey screen. 

Restart your MacBook manually. If possible, boot it in Safe Mode. If new updates appear, apply the updates and see if things return to normal.

If it still doesn’t work, open the Disk Utility tool in Safe Mode. Find the disk problems and fix them accordingly.

2. Random Shutoffs

If your MacBook shuts down randomly with no apparent reason, it may be a problem with the battery. Check if the battery is charging properly. If there is no problem with the battery, restart your Mac using the power button.

Wait for it to power up and the macOS to load. After loading the macOS, restart your computer anew. This process prompts your MacBook to undergo a full shutdown.

Thereafter, reset your System Management Controller (SMC). Resetting your SMC corrects some errors about hardware processes, as well as sleep modes, and battery charging.

3. External Devices Won’t Work

When it comes to external devices that do not function with your MacBook, you need to perform the process of elimination. Take the external device hook it up with at least two other computers. If it doesn’t work, then the problem is with the device.

If it works, ensure that you plugged the device correctly to your MacBook. Examine the condition of the ports, as well as the device’s cable. If there seems to be no problem with these, restart your MacBook.

If you cannot find anything wrong with the ports and the device’s compatibility, consider an SMC, NVRAM or PRAM reset. Doing this allows you to see if there is a glitch with the setting that is disrupting the connections.

4. The Flickering Screen

When you experience a flickering screen, it may be an issue of physical damage. It may also be a case of a new update that you need to perform. 

If you don’t see any damages on the screen, reset your PRAM/NVRAM. This method often revolves around flickering screens. If it doesn’t work, check for any updates on the macOS that you need to apply.

If the updates still don’t work, check if you are using Firefox or Chromium. Disable or remove these programs as they are notorious for causing Mac screens to flicker.

Lastly, go to Safe Mode and search for an app that may be causing the problem.

5. Unresponsive App

For the unresponsive app, you need to perform a Force Quit. Go to the upper-left corner of the screen and hit the Apple icon. From there, click on “Force Quit.”

You may also hit Command-Option-Escape on the keyboard. Another way is to highlight the problematic app and click the “Force Quit” button.

6. No Internet Connection

If you cannot connect to the internet but you can with your other devices, have your MacBook forget the network. Go to “System Preferences” and go to the “Network” page. Select “Advanced” to open a list of Preferred Networks. 

Highlight your Wi-Fi network and hit the “-“ button. Select “Remove” then click the Wi-Fi icon anew. 

Try to reconnect and see if it works.

7. Spinning Ball Show Up Often

Encountering the spinning beach ball on the screen every once in a while is OK. But if it happens far too often, it is a sign that something might be wrong. Open your Applications folder and go to Utilities. Open Activity Monitor to see how many apps are currently running.

You will also see how much memory and CPU they take up. Look for apps that take too much of either and highlight them from the list. Go to the upper-left corner and click the “X” button. 

Select “Quit” or “Force Quit.”

8. MacBook Running Very Slow

One of the most common reasons why your Mac slows down is an almost full hard drive. Sometimes, it can be a case of your computer doing a lot of things at the same time. This, in turn, eats up a lot of RAM.

But if it is alarmingly slow, you need to restart your Mac. If the speed doesn’t improve, check for updates and apply them.

If it doesn’t work, open your virus scanner and run the Apple Diagnostics. Check if it picks up any issues.

9. MacBook Doesn’t Charge

If you plug in your charger and your Mac doesn’t charge, the first thing to examine is your outlet. Check if it is working by plugging in a different device. If it is working, check the charging cable and the charger for any visible damages.

Also, you need to ensure there are no blockages between the charger and your computer. If it still doesn’t work, try giving your Mac a rest. Turn it off and allow it to cool down.

10. MacBook Doesn’t Shut Down

A Mac that won’t shut down especially if you need to leave can be a headache. To resolve it, make sure that you close all apps. Consider the Force Quit method.

If it doesn’t work, reset the NVRAM and SMC. If nothing changes, run the Apple Diagnostics. Follow this up by booting in Safe Mode before restarting your Mac.

If none of these works, go to “System Preferences” and select “Security & Privacy.” Go to “FileVault” and turn it off.

Expand Your MacBook Knowledge

Learning to resolve common Macintosh problems will help you save time and resources. But troubleshooting your Mac is only one of the valuable things you need to learn. 

We invite you to check our other articles on Macs. We provide tips and tricks that will expand your knowledge and improve your overall MacBook experience.