7 Tips and Tricks for How to Troubleshoot Mac Computers

From the California Business Journal Newswires.

Are you a long-time Mac user? Or did you recently ditch the PC for one? Chances are, you made the jump because of the numerous advantages a Mac computer offers.

Not only does a Mac eliminate the need to install drivers, but it also comes with a very powerful user interface. Moreover, Mac computers encounter fewer security issues and viruses.

Despite these, Macs are not perfect. You will still experience problems from time to time. But the bigger concern is do you know how to address these problems?

Continue reading below as teach you how to troubleshoot Mac computers in simple ways.

Benefits of Learning How to Troubleshoot

Learning how to troubleshoot Mac computers will benefit you in several ways. First, you will save a lot of money. When you fix your computer, you avoid paying the service center at least $40 to $100. Also, most troubleshooting steps do not require expensive tools.

Moreover, troubleshooting your Mac computer can help you save time. Since you can fix your computer at home, you don’t need to waste time traveling to the repair shop.

You may even surprise yourself as you troubleshoot your Mac. You will likely go online and search for tips to help you solve the problem. And in this search, you will broaden your knowledge in the process.

You may even learn some cool tricks like pulling off a ctrl alt del Mac.

How to Troubleshoot Mac:

Much like with the PC, there are several troubleshooting tips and tricks you can learn for your Mac computer. But let us focus on seven of the best ones out there. Let’s break down each one of them below:

1. The Mac Doesn’t Turn On

If your Mac won’t turn on, don’t panic. Neither should you call your trusted IT.

Check if your computer is properly plugged. If it is, make sure that power is going through the screen. Also, examine the screen’s brightness if it is up or not.

Sometimes, it’s just a case of adjusting the brightness and contrast.

If it still doesn’t turn on, check your power cable or adapter. Check if they are loose. If your Mac is a bit old, you may need to replace the cable with a new one.

If the cable and adapter are in good condition, perform a power cycle. Hold down the power key for about 10 seconds. You will likely hear a squeak.

Wait for another 10 seconds then restart your Mac.

2. Stuck at Grey Screen

If you see a grey screen at startup, you may have a problem concerning a firmware update. If the grey screen also shows an Apple logo, the problem may be software-related.

If the problem is firmware-related, check if you are using the latest version of macOS. Start your Mac in Safe Mode.

Thereafter, open the App Store app and click Updates.

3. That Nagging Blue Screen

If you get past the grey screen but find yourself stuck at the blue screen, it means your Mac is struggling to load all the necessary files coming from the startup drive. Much like with the grey screen, you need to start your Mac in Safe Mode.

If it doesn’t start up, your startup disk may need some repair.

Another option is to disconnect all cables connected to your Mac. If you are using a desktop Mac, don’t unplug your mouse and keyboard. Shut down your Mac and wait for about 30 seconds.

Boot your computer and see if it works. If it does, it means one of the peripherals that you unplugged is likely causing the problem. Identify which one it is through a process of elimination.

The third option is running the Disk Utility. Start your Mac in Safe Mode and head on to the Utilities folder inside Applications.

Click Disk Utility and search for your Mac’s drive icon. Click on First Aid to run Disk Utility. If it detects an error, it will ask you if you would like to perform a repair.

Click Repair Disk to resolve the problem.

4. Those Kernel Panics

A kernel panic comes up as a blue or grey screen but with a message that comes in different languages. This can occur due to a fatal error within the OS. This means it is not safe to let your computer continue to run.

To address this, reboot your Mac and see if it will start working properly after. If not, the next step is to update all the software. Run a Software Update by clicking the Apple icon on the top left corner of the screen. Pick Software Update and let it work its magic.

5. The Flashing Question Mark

A flashing question mark may indicate disk failure. It means your Mac cannot find a particular startup disk, which keeps it from booting. You may try running Disk Utility.

If it doesn’t work, you can put your computer into Recovery Mode. From there, select the correct startup disk.

6. A Distorted Display

If you notice a distorted display, reset your computer’s System Management Controller (SMC). Visit Apple’s SMC reset page to make sure you are following the proper steps.

You may also boot your Mac into Safe Mode. Turn on your Mac and hold down the Shift key. Do so until after the Apple logo disappears.

From there, you can see the problems affecting the display.

7. The Friendly Spare User Account

Last but not least, create a spare user account to help out in your troubleshooting, particularly for your diagnostic requirements. You want to give the account administrative capabilities.

The spare account will give you extensions, preferences, and user files in clean and excellent condition. You can use these to load during startup.

Expand Your Tech Knowledge

Learning how to troubleshoot Mac computers is a must for every Mac user. Not only will it save you time and money, but it will also help maintain the life and performance of your computer.

But why stop with your Mac? Expand your tech knowledge by reading our different articles and blog posts. We provide guides and tips that will help you maximize the power of your computers and other tech items.