Most Common MacBook Problems and How to Fix Them in 2024
A MacBook is popular due to its dependability and super performance. Macs rarely experience performance problems, but at times they do. You might notice your computer has trouble charging or its speed is slow. At other times, you might notice a spinning beach ball on Mac or sudden and repeated death.
Such problems are common to any MacBook user, and you can quickly fix them. Sometimes, all that you need to do is to restart your computer or unplug and fix the power again. What’s most important is to know the cause of the problem and its remedy.
Hardware issues like a faulty keyboard with stuck or unresponsive keys, a jittery trackpad that clicks when not pressed, a flickering or dim screen, or a battery that doesn't hold a charge can cause problems.
Software issues like a slow operating system with crashes and freezing or applications that don't launch properly can also cause headaches. Connectivity issues with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and network connections dropping can prevent you from working. Sound issues from speakers, microphones, and headphone jacks hamper the user experience.
Key Takeaways:
- Hardware issues like faulty keyboards, trackpads, screens, and batteries are common MacBook problems. Check these components if you're having issues.
- Software problems like a slow operating system, crashing apps, and freezing are other common MacBook problems to diagnose. Update the software and restart your computer.
- Connectivity issues with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and network dropping can prevent you from working. Check your connections and router.
- Sound issues from speakers, microphones, and headphones needing to be fixed is frustrating. Test different audio components to isolate the issue.
- Many common MacBook problems have simple fixes, like restarting, updating software, replacing hardware, or reconnecting devices. Try basic troubleshooting steps before taking your computer in for repair.
MacBook is not charging
You might be surprised that your MacBook has suddenly stopped charging. Several reasons could be the cause, and one of them is a temporal pause for charging. It happens when your system pauses charging, especially when the battery is over 90%. If this happens, you might have to wait until the charge goes below 90% to start charging again. Another issue could be your charger’s adapter or the power cable is faulty.
Still, your battery could be faulty due to age or some other problem. You can try out several options. Unplug the charger and plug it back. If it fails to work, you might need another charger. Another option is to remove the battery and fix it back. You might need a battery replacement. Several other issues could cause this problem, such as problems with the charging system. You can get further information about the problem and the necessary fixes here.
Mac runs very slowly
Several reasons could cause your Mac to run slow and record poor performance. It could be that its fan is faulty and causing the computer to build too much heat. If this happens, the entire hardware overheats. It could also be because you have opened too many applications or you have a lot of startup apps running. Due to this, they limit space in RAM, and it becomes harder to retrieve data.
Another reason is that Your MacBook needs to fill up with more data or incompatible apps are conflicting with macOS. A slow Mac drains your battery fast and reduces its lifespan. Several fixes to this can help your efforts to maximize battery life. Clean up your Mac to eliminate extra files or close the running apps. Check the fan to ensure it’s functional. You might want to upgrade your RAM or replace the fan if it’s not working.
Spinning beach ball on Mac
A spinning beach ball is an indication that your computer is unable to complete some processes. When specific processes keep dragging in the background, the cursor displays as a spinning ball to show it's waiting for responses from RAM or hard disk. For instance, if your camera gets stuck when opening its app, the beach ball could appear.
This can keep you waiting for more time until the app opens. Its best fix is to restart your computer so that the apps can close. If it is harder to restart, press the power button to switch off power and then switch it on. Another fix could be to check if storage is full and free up space to create space for apps and data to run.
MacBook dies suddenly and repeatedly
The leading cause of sudden death or repeated restarts is conflicting software installed on your computer. It could also be due to connected devices like Bluetooth headphones conflicting with the system. Due to this, macOS fails to function correctly, causing the system to die or restart. Virus infection could also cause the problem.
The best fix is to let the system shut down properly. Another way is to force shut the system to close any unresponsive applications. Scan your system for viruses and remove any detected threats. You might want to test the health of your device’s battery or remove any MacBook-incompatible apps.
Mac start with a blank screen
A black screen at startup indicates there could be a corrupt file in macOS, or some hard disk parts are corrupt. This causes gaps in the startup information, resulting in a black screen. The best solution is to perform MacBook diagnostics to find and fix the problem. Force the system to shut down and start up in safe mode.
Once the first start-up sign appears, long press your shift key. Once you see the MacBook logo or login screen, release the key. Choose safe mode and run diagnostics. You can also long-press the power button. Once the Apple logo appears, release it, press the Command plus D, and run diagnostics.
Trackpad not working on Mac
Your Mac’s trackpad may fail to work because it is dirty. It could be unresponsive because it requires to be updated or the app has other issues. Several ways can help you fix the issue and use your trackpad again. Go to macOS and update the application from there.
You may also update the entire macOS. Another fix is to clean the trackpad. A conflicting battery might cause the problem. Try to shut down your computer and then remove the battery. Fix it properly and start the computer.
Safari not working on Mac
Apple uses Safari as the default browser on your MacBook. Sometimes, it might conflict with macOS and fail to work. You could open it, but it crashes immediately. At other times, it may not open at all or take longer to open. The leading cause of this is your failure to update your browser.
Several actions can help fix these problems. The simplest solution is to force quit the browser and open it again. If this doesn’t fix the problem, restart the Mac. You might also want to disable extensions or remove add-ons. Update Safari by visiting system preferences and opening Software Update.
Final Thoughts
Your Mac should give you a seamless service experience without a problem or problems. Some common issues include slow performance, an unresponsive cursor, and failed battery charging. Each problem has simple fixes that you can try out yourself. If one method fails to work, try the following method until you solve the issue.
FAQs
What if my MacBook screen is pixelated or distorted?
A pixelated, distorted, or discolored screen could indicate a problem with the display cable or LCD panel. Try restarting your MacBook and running diagnostics. You may need to get the display repaired or replaced.
Why is my MacBook fan always loud or running at full speed?
Overheating, dusty fans, or resource-intensive apps often cause loud fan noise. Try quitting open apps, cleaning out the vents, or resetting the SMC to see if it reduces the fan speed. If not, you may need a fan replacement.
What should I do if my MacBook webcam or camera isn't working?
Check System Preferences to ensure camera access is enabled for apps. Restart your MacBook and test the camera in another app like Photo Booth. If it still doesn't work, you may need to get the camera looked at for potential hardware failure.
Why does my MacBook keep freezing or becoming unresponsive?
Freezing and unresponsiveness are commonly caused by outdated, incompatible, or corrupt software. Try force-quitting apps, restarting, checking for software updates, and running diagnostics to troubleshoot.
What if my MacBook won't turn on at all?
If your MacBook won't power on, troubleshoot fundamental issues like battery charge, adapter connections, and battery health first. If those are fine, a motherboard, logic board, or power-related hardware failure may prevent it from turning on.