6 MacBook Issues & How to Solve Them

MacBooks are equipped with premium features, and they’re one of the best computers available today. There’s so much you can do with your Mac, and with each new update, there are new features to explore. However, sometimes your system may not work as smoothly as you’d hoped. They’re prone to technical glitches, and you may have to suffer a lot due to such issues.

Luckily, most technical issues can be fixed easily, and you don’t need to visit a service center.

Common Mac issues and their fixes

• External drive not showing up

Usually, when an external drive is connected to the USP port, Macs quickly mount them on the desktop. Apple even likes to make sure they’re found easily, and therefore, they appear in the Finder.

But, unfortunately, just like Seagate external hard drives, WD hard drives are not always recognized by Mac. In Apple-related forums, WD hard drive not showing up Mac is a common issue discussed by Mac users. It happens to WD My Book, WD My Passport, WD Elements, and so on. When this happens, it can frustrate you, especially if you need to transfer something urgently. Some of the reasons for this problem might be a faulty cable, a power supply problem, a broken or corrupt drive, an unreadable drive on macOS, or an NTFS read-only problem.

One easy fix is connecting the WD hard drive with a different computer to see if the drive is recognized on that Mac. If not, the problem might be with the drive and not with your Mac.

• Wi-Fi not working

Wi-Fi not working is another common problem experienced by Mac users. First things first, check all the connections to ensure there’s connectivity. Next, check if other systems or devices connected to the same network can browse the Internet. If no, contact your ISP.

If yes, your Mac might be having a problem. To resolve it, follow these steps –

Go to System Preferences > click the Network tab.

Click Advanced from the bottom left corner and find the list of Preferred Networks.

Select the network you wish to connect with and click the (-) sign next to the network name. Select Remove.

Your device will forget the regular network, and the name will disappear from your list of available Wi-Fi networks.

Go to the menu bar and click on the Wi-Fi icon. Search for your network name or SSID. Click on the network name, enter the password, and click connect.

If this doesn’t solve the problem, you must check your Wi-Fi router or connect with your ISP.

• Bluetooth won’t turn on or off.

Bluetooth is extremely handy as it allows you to connect your system to your iPhone and synchronize iTunes on both devices. It even facilitates data transfer from one device to another. It optimizes storage.

But, sometimes, Bluetooth might be unresponsive. You have to troubleshoot to resolve the issue and get it working again.

Go to System Preferences > locate Bluetooth > check if it’s turned on

Disconnect all the devices connected to the Bluetooth and turn it off by toggling the switch

Wait for a few seconds before turning on your Bluetooth. Then, try to share data.

• Inability to charge properly.

MacBook not charging is a serious problem and one that is commonly complained about by Mac users. To fix this problem, check the power outlet. Ensure it is functioning properly. You can also use the charger to charge another Mac to find out if the problem is with the charging cable. If yes, you must replace the charger.

But, if the problem is with your Mac, you can reset the SMC or System Management Controller.

• Spinning Beach Ball

There are few things more frustrating and annoying than seeing the spinning beach ball on the screen of your Mac. The beach ball indicates your system is trying to finish a process and needs time because internal resources are unavailable. Do you see it often? If yes, it is a sign that your Mac is slowing down.

Open the Activity Monitor > select the applications with high CPU usage consumption. Close the resource-hungry programs and apps. Restart your system.

Also, check the real-time memory usage within the Activity Monitor and fix the problem at hand.

You can also clear all the web browser caches, empty the trash bins and get rid of unnecessary files to speed up your Mac.

• Screen Flickering

A flickering screen is experienced when there is a compatibility issue between macOS and the graphic processing. Restarting your Mac might resolve this problem. However, if you still experience the problem, try updating your macOS. Open the App Store or click on the Apple menu and go to the System Preferences. See if a new update is available and if yes, install the latest version.

Keep the troubleshooting tips mentioned above in mind the next time you experience any problem with your Mac. If these fixes don’t resolve your issue, calling a professional would be prudent.