Is your MacBook Pro running slow? Well, what could be the reasons for this? Apart from these reasons, what are the quick solutions? To keep this simple, we have come up with this article where you will learn not only about the issues but also the solutions.
But first, we should know about the causes. What can be the causes for such low functioning, and what are the solutions to retrieve the performance it used to give initially? Let’s go through the causes first, and these are given as follows.
Outdated Hardware – Every piece of hardware, whether of a colossal machine or a small one like a laptop, has a lifespan and is undoubtedly going to get obsolete after a certain period, and yes, the MacBook is no exception. An outdated hard drive or lack of RAM can become worrisome.
Software Issues – Applications you use can consume lots of system space and resources when misused, which can further lower the performance of your Mac.
Personal Habits – If you use your MacBook all the time or multitask with loads of heavy applications that you do not close and keep running in the background, this may be one reason for your Mac running slow.
Operating System – The latest macOS generally works better than the older ones, but no system is impeccable nonetheless. You may experience firmware or permission issues that might hinder your performance as well.
So, these were the common issues that one can witness. So it’s time to know about the solution. So let us get started with the solutions for the same.
MacBook Pro Running Slow? Here are the ways to fix it
Coming to the part of the solution, how can we overcome or tackle all these problems by using some basic things that don’t need any expertise:
1. Restart
The most basic and most straightforward thing one can do to enhance the performance of your Mac for a short time is restart it. While working on your Mac, if it abruptly gets stuck or is operating slowly, restart it. It’ll indeed mitigate the sluggish performance.
2. Clear off irrelevant desktop items and dashboard widgets
When your MacBook takes a bit longer to load or open the home screen, this step can be taken. Keep fewer files on the Mac desktop, and also try to group them by making folders. Remove unnecessary apps and widgets from the dock and dashboard.
3. Clean up the hard drive to free up more space
If your MacBook Pro is running out of storage, the system can use little virtual memory if it needs it. This may cause your Mac to freeze more frequently, even when you use or install a few new apps. In general, we can say that the more free space, the better the performance of your Mac.
4. Identify and remove the heavy apps/processes with Activity Monitor
It may occur very often that your Mac may get sluggish just after opening several applications, and you are unaware of the app that is causing it to freeze. So, in order to find the culprit app, we can use Activity Monitor, which is a task manager on Mac that demonstrates both running applications and inactive processes. This can help you find the apps that are causing trouble by using many system resources, and further can let you remove them.
5. Update your MacBook Pro to the latest macOS
Generally, a newer macOS version indeed runs faster and works better in any term than the older versions, though it depends on the model we are using and the features it has, like the required amount of RAM. A few things need to be kept in mind before proceeding ahead. For example, check whether your model is compatible with the new version, whether you have enough storage space, whether you have a good internet connection, and most importantly, whether you have backed up your essential data.
6. Disable any fancy features in exchange for performance
By turning off features like notifications, transparency, animations, FileVault, magnification, etc., you can enhance Mac performance since a lower number of system resources will be used. Also, check our guide on How to Fix Microphone Not Working on Mac
7. Upgrade Hardware (RAM, SSD) to have a real boost
When you have tried all the ways to enhance your Mac’s performance and speed up the system, but it is still slow, then you can go for this method to upgrade your MacBook. The options you can opt for are: either you can add more memory (RAM) or you can replace your hard disk drive (HDD) with a new solid-state drive (SSD) to boost your MacBook’s performance. The only problem with this method is its expansiveness.
8. MacBooster
It is a straightforward yet practical system utility for macOS users. The way Windows PC encounters issues such as system issues, problems in uninstalling apps, and slow processes, Mac users also go through the same. However, with the help of MacBooster, one can get rid of these issues with a click. It will not only help remove junk files but will also clear duplicate files, malware, unwanted apps, etc.
9. Apple Diagnostics
Every Mac has essential hardware test software built in. It will tell you if there are problems with some parts of your Mac. If there is any issue with any part, it’ll indicate what is wrong and what you can do next to rectify it. For example, if there is any problem with the functioning of the fan of your Mac, this could prevent the computer from using its processor to its maximum limit, slowing down your Mac.
Wrapping up:
So these were the most common yet problematic issues and solutions to a MacBook Pro running slow that could cause big trouble for you. We have tried explaining the problems so that the user can know the reason before jumping to the solution. You can try these easy-to-do steps to keep your MacBook Pro healthy and quick. If you have any issues or comments to add, please comment below and let us know.