Despite being known for their reliability, MacBooks are like other computers in the sense that owning and using one will eventually result in various performance problems.
Of course, a new Mac is unlikely to cause issues right away, but if you neglect to take proper care of your computer, you should not expect it to perform optimally. If anything, not having a maintenance routine will cause the MacBook to underperform faster.
Knowing which problems to expect and how to deal with them would make things easier for you. Let’s take a look at what Mac performance issues you are likely to encounter.
Overheating
Overheating could be a result of multiple factors. For one, you might be using the computer in a poorly ventilated room. Another possible reason could be too much dust inside the MacBook.
You should not wait if you hear a loud noise coming from the computer or notice that it is overheating. Expecting the problem to solve itself will lead to hardware damage, and replacing MacBook’s hardware is not cheap.
If you cannot ventilate your room properly, at least invest in a cooling pad. It is a great alternative that will provide the laptop with fresh air.
Now, as for cleaning the dust, you might be reluctant to take on the work yourself because thorough cleaning requires taking the MacBook apart. If you have no experience, you might damage the hardware.
It might be better to leave the work to someone with experience. There ought to be a computer service store that can take the MacBook and clean it for you. You will need to pay, but at least you will rest easy knowing that the person cleaning the dust inside your MacBook knows what they are doing.
Flickering Screen
A flickering screen on a MacBook is not that common, but it might still occur. If it does, you might restart the computer and think that that is enough. The flickering should stop, but the solution is only temporary.
The likeliest reason behind this is the incompatibility between the graphics processing unit and macOS. Suppose the flickering started after you installed the latest operating system update. In that case, you will need to wait for the hotfix that should not take too long for Apple to release, particularly if multiple people are experiencing the same problem.
Or, as an alternative, you might switch back to a previous macOS version and use that if the flickering becomes too much to manage and forces you to restart the MacBook too frequently.
Poor Internet Speed
A poor internet speed might not be related to the computer itself. Sometimes, it is your ISP provider that is behind the wi-fi issues and other internet-related problems. Therefore, getting in touch with your internet provider should be the first thing you need to do.
If they confirm that things are okay on their end, you will need to seek solutions elsewhere. For example, if you rely on a wireless internet connection, there might be third-party peripherals getting in the signal’s way. Microwave ovens and wireless printers are notorious for jamming the internet signal.
Investing in an ethernet cable could be a good workaround. It will limit the laptop’s portability, but an ethernet cable will likely solve internet connection problems.
Random Crashes and Freezes
Random crashes and freezes are difficult to figure out because they are random. Sometimes, it is the lack of system updates. Not running the latest macOS version causes various performance problems, including crashes and freezes.
Malware or viruses could be another cause. If you do not have reliable antivirus software, the system might get overrun with cybersecurity threats.
Too much clutter in the drive is also a possible reason behind these performance issues, especially on a cheaper model that has a lackluster drive.
So, to potentially get rid of random crashes and freezes, you need to make sure that:
- Your MacBook has the latest macOS version installed
- There is antivirus software that scans the system and eliminates detected cybersecurity threats
- You free up Mac’s drive storage by removing temporary system junk, old applications, and other unnecessary files
Lackluster Battery
A poor battery lifespan can get quite annoying, particularly if you travel with your Mac and have limited access to electrical outlets. If the laptop’s battery runs out, you will have problems.
Other than closing background apps and disabling visual effects, you can prolong Mac’s battery lifespan by shutting the computer down rather than sticking to the sleep mode. It saves a few percent.
FPS Drops in Video Games
FPS drops in video games should be expected if you are playing high-end video games on a MacBook that has lackluster hardware.
However, if the FPS starts dropping when you are trying to enjoy low-end video games, lower in-game graphics and try playing the video game in the window rather than the full-screen mode.
Other than these solutions, decluttering the desktop, limiting background app resource usage, and freeing up enough drive space are worth a shout as well.
Memory Leaks
When a computer has been running for a while, its software will start to distribute memory incorrectly. The phenomenon is known as memory leaks, and it is one of the primary reasons why restarting a computer improves its performance.
If you use the MacBook for long periods without taking a break, get in the habit of restarting it regularly. A restart every few hours should do the trick.
Data Backup Failures
While Macs are reliable, it is still recommended to back up the computer data regularly. After all, you cannot predict when something might happen to the device’s hardware, not to mention potential cybersecurity threats.
If you are using iCloud to back up the data, there should not be any problems with it so long as the iCloud account is synced with the MacBook.
On the other hand, some Mac users combine an external HDD with Time Machine to back up their files. If you encounter issues with this method, make sure that the external hard drive is formatted properly so that the MacBook can recognize it.
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