The MacBook has a remarkable gift of speed and efficiency. The decision of Apple to come out of the shadows of Intel Processor and introduce the world with a self-designed CPU reaped a juicy fruit. Apple Silicon has made MacBook a fierce device with a scary speed and an obstinate will to perform at all costs. But due to some shortcomings, sometimes the MacBook tends to fail in performing to its full potential. The matter that needs highlighting is MacBook running slow issue which can decelerate its efficiency.
Ways To Speed Up your MacBook at Home | Simple Tips
The MacBook despite being the symbol of speed can suffer some humiliating defeats. MacBooks are not invincible. They too get vulnerable and slow down, which can happen due to the multiple reasons. There are simple steps you can take at home to give it a speed boost. First, check your storage space and free up room by removing unnecessary files. Managing startup items and disabling unused applications can streamline your system’s launch. Keep your macOS up to date, identify resource-intensive apps using Activity Monitor, and optimize your browser regularly. Organize your desktop, reset PRAM/NVRAM, and run Disk Utility for maintenance. Check the following before you move to the steps to fix your MacBook Running Slow issue:
1. Its hard drive has run out of space.
2. It is still working with an outdated Mac OS.
3. It is functioning with too many apps running in the background.
4. Its desktop is a mess cluttered with useless files.
5. There may be some apps that are consuming the processor’s power.
6. It’s cluttered with too many cache files.
7. There is a lack of RAM space.
8. It is vulnerable to Malware and virus threats.
Easy Tips to Fix MacBook Running Slow Issue
There are the tons of issues that can be behind your MacBook that has made it slow than usual. Here are the easy and quick fixes to get rid of the MacBook Running slow issue. Check this quick and easy tips to restore its speed. First, ensure ample storage space by deleting unnecessary files. Optimize startup by managing login items in “System Preferences.”Try these quicks hacks as mentioned steps below:
Make sure to find and kill apps that are consuming the processor’s power:
There can be many unidentified apps that might be causing your Mac to run slow as they might be consuming your CPU’s power. It is thus essential to identify the apps that are causing this issue and then kill those apps. For doing this you should follow the below said steps:
- Head towards the Finder and select Activity Monitor.
- After the Activity Monitor opens, select the CPU tab and then select the %CPU drop-down to view the processes consuming the CPU power.
- The data shown won’t be stable, as its number might flicker up-down for a few seconds. So it is advisable to wait and monitor. The anomaly slowing down your Mac will be at the top.
- Double click on it and kill it instantly.
- Then on the pop-up window, select Quit.
Update your Mac OS for Lighting Fast Speed:
It is always recommended to check for software update notifications and then ensure to timely update your Mac. Updating Mac OS is a crucial requirement as it will kill the bugs and fuel the MacBook to perform better. To know about the process for updating the Mac OS, you can visit here and update your OS hassle-free
Restart Your Mac once in a while to prevent Slow Mac Issue:
Attempting to restart your Mac sometimes can do the trick in fixing the glitches that accidentally hinder the performance. You can go through our blog “Easy trick to update when your Mac not updating” to learn about how to go through with that.
Free up the space on the startup disk:
Your Mac gets sluggish when the storage capacity runs out. There is adequate space required for your Mac to function properly.
Here are a few simple steps to learn about the storage capacity of your drive:
- Head towards the Apple icon
- Select About this Mac
- Then click on the Storage Tab
- After learning about the storage capacity, you can free up space in the drive, by clicking on Manage.
- This will provide you with the opportunity to manage your Mac storage by utilizing the following recommendation:
Better Recommention to Boost MacBook’s Overall Speed:
- Store in Cloud: You can always free up your space on your Mac by transferring your files to Cloud storage. To achieve this, click on iCloud and follow the instructions given on the screen.
- Optimize Storage: Select the optimize button. This will automatically delete your file. This tool can also intimate you about the recent email attachments and also make sure that it is storing only the recent ones.
- Empty Trash Automatically: Items that have been in thrash for more than 30 days, will get permanently deleted if this tool is active.
- Reduce Clutter: This tool is helpful in deleting large files and useless files. You will have to click on Review Files to manually go through the files and review them before completely deleting them.
- if still, you mac runs slow, It is also advisable to move your files to an external hard drive too, to salvage them in drastic scenarios of Malware attacks.
Make sure to limit the number of apps running in the background:
It is advisable to resist multitasking and having several apps running in the background. This will decelerate Mac’s performance and slow it down. Always make sure to close the unused apps in the background when working on Mac.
Make sure to manage login items on startup:
Macbooks have some default settings which can be the reason for Slow Mac Issue functioning such as the default functioning of auto-launching apps. This setting is to facilitate the users with quick access to Mac’s application. But in scenarios where too many apps are launching, it can be lethal to Mac’s performance and thereby slowing it down. Here are the steps to take control of the login items:
- Head towards Apple icons
- Select System Preferences
- Then select User and Group
- To the lower-left portion of the screen, select the lock icon
- A pop-up will emerge, type in your username and password here
- select unlock
- To the left-hand portion of the screen select your username
- Click on the Login option
- Select the Login Item tab
- Check the apps you don’t wish to auto-launch in the box under the Hide.
- Click on the lock icon to confirm
Clear cache files on your Mac:
Caches are temporary files in your laptop’s storage to facilitate web page loading and other app functions. Though they contribute to serving better, if they are stored for a longer period of time, then they can become a hindrance. Thus it is advisable to clean the laptops of their cache files. Here are the steps to clean the cache files:
- Head towards the Finder App
- On the Menu Bar, select Go
- Then select Go to Folder
- A pop-up will emerge, type “/Library/Caches/ on the space provided and press Return
- After that select all the caches you don’t need and then right-click
- Then click Move to Trash
- Trash needs a total swiping, to clean out all the caches
Now if you wish to clean your browser of all the caches then follow these steps:
- Go to Safari
- Navigate for Preferences and then select it
- Choose the Advanced Tab
- Select the box next to the Show Develop menu in the Menu bar
- In the Menu bar click Develop and select Empty Caches
Have adequate space in RAM:
Inadequate space in RAM can also cause the MacBook to run slow issues. The following steps can provide you with the information about your RAM storage:
- Open the Activity Monitor
- Select Memory tab
- A memory pressure graph will emerge at the bottom of the window. If RAM space is in green then it implies that you have ample space, if it is yellow then it means you are running out of space, and if it’s red then it means that RAM has reached its total capacity.
If you constantly run out of RAM then you can consult Apple guidelines for adding RAM.
Clean your desktop:
A cluttered desktop too can be a possible reason for the MacBook running slow issue. Therefore it is better to get rid of the unnecessary files from the desktop. The following steps can help in decluttering the desktop:
- On the desktop, control click and a pop-up will emerge
- Select Use Stacks
- The above step will help you in sorting out and organizing your desktop. Dispose of the waste. Relocate the other useful files.
Check your Mac for Malware and Viruses:
Malware and Viruses too can slow down your MacBook. It is always therefore a good choice to install good anti-virus and anti-malware software on your Mac. You can run a deep scan to check whether your Mac is safe or not. And this software is quite efficient in instructing you on how to keep your system safe.
Final Thoughts:
MacBooks are renowned for their exceptional speed, but sometimes they too can slow down. By attempting the above tricks you can ensure a better performance for your MacBook. A lot of cluttering and mismanagement of data can cost its speed. You should therefore ensure to be very careful about cleaning it periodically, updating it on time, and protecting your MacBook from unwanted intrusions and you should try to counter common MacBook problems on your own.
FAQs:
Why is my MacBook running slow?
Your MacBook may be slow due to low storage, excessive startup items, outdated software, resource-intensive apps, or cluttered desktops.
How can I free up storage space on my MacBook?
Delete unnecessary files, applications, and media. Consider moving large files to an external drive.
What is Activity Monitor, and how can it help speed up my MacBook?
Activity Monitor identifies resource-heavy apps, allowing you to close or manage them to improve overall system performance.
Should I reset PRAM/NVRAM, and how is it done?
Reset PRAM/NVRAM to resolve certain issues. Restart your MacBook and hold down Command + Option + P + R until you hear the startup chime twice.
Can upgrading hardware improve my MacBook’s speed?
Yes, adding more RAM or switching to an SSD can significantly enhance your MacBook’s performance, making it faster and more responsive.