Having a MacBook does not necessarily guarantee that you will avoid potential performance problems. Sure, macOS is known for its reliability, which is one of the primary reasons why so many people decide to purchase Macs instead of other computers.
Nevertheless, it is important to remember that Macs are no different from other laptops. Sooner or later, you will run into performance issues. The severity of these issues vary. In some cases, you may be able to take care of them yourself. On the other hand, some problems will require the help of a professional.
Let’s take a look at the list of common MacBook problems and how to best approach them. Memorizing the information below should come in handy when you eventually face the difficulties mentioned in this article.
Failure to Connect Third-Party Peripherals
People are looking to improve their MacBook experience with third-party peripherals. A pair of external headphones are a popular choice. An increase in sound quality for work and entertainment can go a long way. AirPods are usually the go-to device since they are accessible for not just the MacBook but other devices, like iPhone and iPad, but their popularity does not guarantee perfect performance.
First thing’s first – why are my AirPods not connecting to my phone or MacBook, and how should I deal with the problem?
For MacBook owners, there are a couple of possible causes. The first is the incompatibility between the device and macOS. The pro version of the headphones works with macOS 10.15.1 Catalina version and later. You may need to install the latest update.
Another potential problem could be wrong settings in the Sounds. Go to System Preferences, click Sounds, and select Output. AirPods should be in the output device section.
An external hard drive is also a popular example of a third-party peripheral. The device is used to create data backups via Time Machine or as an alternative to the MacBook’s disk.
Problems with an external hard drive, and backing up data, in particular, stem from a lack of system updates and poor internet connection. More often than not, taking care of those two is enough to solve the problem.
Loud Fan Noise and Overheating
The tricky part with loud fan noise and overheating is cleaning the dust inside the MacBook. You should not have problems with the dirt outside, but it is necessary to take the laptop apart to get what is inside. And hardly anyone is willing to risk damaging the hardware.
In cases like this, it is better to leave the work in the hands of someone who has the experience of taking MacBooks apart and cleaning them.
Investing in a cooling pad is also a solid option if you want to reduce the MacBook’s temperature and unburden the internal fans. An accessory costs about 30 dollars, which is not a lot considering the difference it can make.
Flickering Screen
A quick restart may not be enough to make your Mac’s screen stop flickering. If anything, it is a temporary solution, and it will not take too long before you are back to square one.
In some instances, a flickering screen is not that much of an issue because the flickering lasts only for a few seconds, and it is not that frequent. However, you still want to fix that.
The cause of a flickering screen is likely behind the incompatibility between the GPU and macOS version. If you noticed that the problem started after you updated the operating system, go back to an older version and wait for Apple to release a hotfix. And if that does not help, you will need to take the MacBook to a computer service store and have them fix it.
Poor Internet Browser Performance
A poor internet browser performance could be the result of too many extensions and accumulation of cache files. If removing these two does not improve its performance, make sure that you are running the latest version.
Sometimes, the problem could be from the ISP end. Get in touch with your internet provider and ask them if they can help you. In case you get a negative and they confirm that things are okay on their end, you are left with a few options, which are:
- Checking for third-party peripherals that may be interfering with the internet connection (for instance, a microwave oven or a wireless printer).
- Disconnecting and reconnecting to the network.
- Getting an ethernet cable instead of relying on a wireless connection.
- Changing to a different browser and hoping that an alternative would solve the issue.
As a rule of thumb, you are bound to land on a method that will fix the problem. If not, you will once again need to seek outside help and have someone with more experience look into the issue.