No matter what problem you are facing on your Mac, these easy and effective troubleshooting tips will solve them in an instant. Memorize the given solutions, and then you can overcome issues like MacBook Air charger not working or the screen flickering.
These issues can typically cause headaches and create panic, but not if you know the following DIY solutions. These will also ensure you don’t have to take out time to visit Apple’s service center.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
Restart
Errors like misbehaving apps and accessories can be solved instantly by restarting your Mac. Rebooting gives your computer a fresh start.
If your entire computer is unresponsive, you can press and hold the power button to force a restart.
Force Quit
If an app has frozen or suddenly stopped responding, you can get rid of the beach ball cursor by force quitting the app. Press Command + Option + Escape to force quit a misbehaving application.
Update macOS
It is essential to run the latest macOS version to receive up-to-date bug fixes and protection. You can upgrade the macOS version by going to System Preferences > Software Update. Then, follow the onscreen instructions.
The current macOS version is Ventura. Check if your computer is compatible and install this version.
Additionally, you must update the applications on your Mac. If they’re installed through the App Store, then click Updates by launching App Store. If you have obtained the apps elsewhere, select the Check for Updates option in the app’s preferences window or main menu.
Safe Mode
To find out whether one of the applications is causing trouble and not letting your Mac load, you can boot your computer in Safe mode.
In this mode, your computer will run a stripped-down macOS version with only the essentials. The apps listed in Login Items will not load in Safe mode. Also, as your computer is starting up, a quick check will be performed automatically to repair corrupt file systems, if any.
You can enter Safe mode on an Apple Silicon Mac by holding the power button when restarting or powering until you see the startup options. Then, select your startup disk and hold the Shift key. Continue in Safe mode.
On Intel-based Macs, hold the Shift key when the computer boots and until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
Reset SMC & NVRAM/PRAM
The SMC or system management controller manages the charging, battery, fans, keyboard, and display backlights, MagSafe indicator light, and sleep, hibernation, and wake states of your computer. Resetting the SMC will help if the battery is not charging or your computer refuses to power up.
On Apple Silicon Macs, the SMC is automatically reset as you restart your computer.
If you are facing issues with the display resolution or the macOS kernel is panicking, you can reset the NVRAM/PRAM. This will also solve problems like Mac starting up with a question mark or the computer showing the wrong time.
Resetting SMC and NVRAM/PRAM follows different steps depending on the Mac model.
Restart Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
If you cannot use AirDrop or have trouble connecting to the Internet, you can restart Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Sometimes, simply toggling off and on the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can set things right. You can also restart your computer to fix such connectivity issues.
However, if this isn’t solving your problem, you may need to troubleshoot networking issues by resetting the network. You may even have to reset the Bluetooth module or check the Activity Monitor to detect any unknown application or program that might be causing trouble.
Factory Reset
If you have done everything and nothing seems to work, the resort is factory reset. Factory resetting your Mac means returning your computer to its factory settings.
If your Mac is running macOS Monterey or later, the factory reset process is straightforward. You can use the Erase Assistant feature by opening System Preferences > selecting Erase All Contents and Settings > following the prompts of the Erase Assistant.
During this process, all your data will be permanently wiped from your computer. You will also be logged out of your accounts, such as iCloud and Mail.
When you start your computer after resetting it, you will have to log into all your accounts. Therefore, remember to create a backup of all the essential files, documents, attachments, media, etc. There’s no turning back once you process with the factory reset method.
The Bottom Line
Regardless of your Mac problem, the above troubleshooting guide will help you find a way out. You can quickly get back on track and finish your task.
However, if the issue seems tricky and cannot be solved even after you have done a factory reset, you may have to go to the service center. For instance, if your Mac isn’t charging because the battery needs replacement, these DIY tricks won’t help.
