Resolve Hardware Issues with Your Apple Mac

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction: Mac: Resolving Hardware Issues

Like any computer, your Apple computer can experience some potentially serious issues over the course of its life. A wide variety of things can go wrong, from a complete failure to start up, to unexpected kernel panic screens. In this guide, we'll go over how to troubleshoot what's plaguing your Mac.

This guide will go over potential generic solutions that should work on all versions of Mac OS X, but the images depicted within this guide will vary depending on how old your Mac is, and what version of OS X it is running.

2. Introduction: Mac: Blue or Gray Screen Startup

One of the main causes of a grey or blue screen on startup can be incompatible or problematic hardware connected to the machine. This might be anything like a printer, an external hard drive, or even a USB hub. Follow these steps to attempt to rid yourself of these startup issues.

3. Mac: Disconnect Peripherals

1. Remove all peripherals from your Mac computer.
2. If you are using an iMac, your ports will be on the rear of the machine.
   

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2. If you are using a Macbook, your ports will be on either side of the machine.
   

4. Mac: Force Restart

This works nearly the same on any modern Mac, with the difference being whether the Mac has a physical power button on the back of the machine or if it’s a MacBook, where the power button is a part of or slightly above the keyboard.

1. Hold down the Power button on the Mac until it shuts down completely, this may take 5-10 seconds or so.
   

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2. Wait a few seconds then press the Power button again to boot the Mac.
   

5. macOS: Reboot to Safe Mode

1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Restart... (2).
   

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2. Immediately press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard.
3. Release the Shift key when you see the login window.

6. macOS: Restart

1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Restart... (2).
   

Any unsaved work will be lost.

7. macOS: Disk Utility

Disk Utility is designed to be easy to run, and help fix many small issues with your Mac's storage disk. Keep in mind, though, it is also designed to do major repairs and has the capabilities to cause problems if not used correctly. This guide will walk you through the proper options to select to use it safely.

Running Disk Utility can take a long time, especially on larger hard drives. Please make sure you won't need your computer for at least 1 hour before beginning this step.

1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Restart... (2).
   

1. Immediately after your Mac restarts (some Mac computers play a startup sound), press and hold the command ⌘ and R keys until the Apple logo appears, then release the keys.
   

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2. Click Disk Utility, then Continue.
3. In the bar on the left, highlight your hard disk.
4. Click the First Aid button at the top.
   

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2. Click Run.
3. Disk Utility will scan your hard drive, and attempt to repair any issues it has.

If you are prompted to complete the repairs yourself, or get an error about disk failure, reach out to Apple Support immediately.

8. What's next?

9. Introduction: Mac: Spinning Wait Cursor

The spinning wait cursor on Mac computers indicates that an application is busy. The most basic reason that this cursor appears is because your Mac's hardware can’t handle the software task at hand. It’s not unusual to see the spinning wheel cursor when your Mac is performing complex computing tasks. Even everyday activities, such as syncing with iTunes, can temporarily overtax the CPU. However, if your Mac is constantly displaying this cursor, this may indicate a deeper issue. These steps may help resolve a constant spinning wait cursor issue.

10. macOS: Check Activity Monitor

Activity Monitor shows the processes that are running on your Mac, so you can manage them and see how they affect your Mac's activity and performance.

There may be occasions when a piece of software on your Mac will crash or become unresponsive and take up too much CPU or memory. The best option is to go to the Activity Monitor and see what’s causing the congestion.

Items in the list can be arranged alphabetically or numerically, by clicking each heading at the top of the column (Process Name, %CPU, CPU Time, and so on).

1. Click the title bar at the top called %CPU. A small arrow will appear and should point downwards. This will show the items with the highest percentage of CPU usage at the top. If there is a process that is running very high, it may be malfunctioning and causing a problem.
   

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2. To terminate a process that may be causing a problem, click on it with your mouse to highlight it, then click the X button in the upper-left corner of the Activity Monitor window.
   

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2. You will be asked if you really want to quit the process. Click Force Quit.
   

11. macOS: Restart

1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Restart... (2).
   

Any unsaved work will be lost.

12. macOS: Storage Cleanup

1. Open the Apple Menu and click About This Mac.
   

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2. Click on Storage.
   

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2. Click on Manage.
   

Optimize Storage

1. Click on Optimize.
   

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2. When storage space is needed, iTunes movies or TV shows that you already watched are removed from your Mac. Click the cloud icon next to a movie or TV show to download it again.

Empty Trash Automatically

1. To automatically delete your trash, click Turn On.
   

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2. Enabling this feature will permanently delete any items that have been in the trash for 30 days.

Reduce Clutter

1. Click the Review Files button, then choose any of the categories in the sidebar, such as Applications, Documents, GarageBand, iOS Files, iTunes, or Trash.
   

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2. You can delete files or programs by either clicking on the "x" when hovering over the item or by right clicking and choosing delete.

13. macOS: Restart

1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Restart... (2).
   

Any unsaved work will be lost.

14. What's next?

15. Introduction: Mac: Kernel Panics

If you've ever experienced a black and grey kernel panic screen, it can be very abrupt and frustrating. When one application has a problem, you may simply see a spinning wheel cursor, but when multiple programs fail - or the operating system fails itself - you may experience a kernel panic. These steps will help you try to overcome an unexpected kernel panic error.

16. Mac: Force Restart

This works nearly the same on any modern Mac, with the difference being whether the Mac has a physical power button on the back of the machine or if it’s a MacBook, where the power button is a part of or slightly above the keyboard.

1. Hold down the Power button on the Mac until it shuts down completely, this may take 5-10 seconds or so.
   

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2. Wait a few seconds then press the Power button again to boot the Mac.
   

17. macOS: Check for Updates

1. Click the Apple menu, then click onApp Store.
   

1. Select Updates on the bar at the top.
   

1. Any pending updates for your Mac will be listed here. Select Update All to apply these updates.

MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air must have the power adapter plugged in to automatically download updates.

18. macOS: Check Startup Programs

1. Click on the Apple Menu, then click System Preferences.
   

1. Choose Users & Groups.
   

1. Choose Login Items at the top. Then, choose your username on the left. Then, click the Lock icon at the bottom. You may need to type in your Mac password to unlock this screen.
   

1. Look through the list on the right. If you see an item you don't recognize, or an item you don't use frequently, highlight it by clicking its name, then click the Remove – button below to remove it.
   

19. macOS: Restart

1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Restart... (2).
   

Any unsaved work will be lost.

20. What's next?

21. Introduction: Mac: Screen Not Working or Distorted

If your Mac's screen suddenly starts misbehaving for what seems like no reason, it can be very scary. Before you start wondering how much it may cost to repair, always remember: many times a display glitch is just that; a glitch, temporary in nature, and not necessarily an indication of continuing troubles to come. These steps may help resolve what might only be a temporary glitch of your Mac's display.

22. macOS: Reset NVRAM

NVRAM (nonvolatile random-access memory) is a cache of settings specific to your Mac. Resetting NVRAM is safe, however you will need to reset some of your minor customizations, such as volume, time zone, or screen resolution.

1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Shut Down... (2).
   

1. Wait for your computer to shut down, and turn off.
2. Turn your Mac back on by pushing the Power button.
   

1. Immediately push and hold the option, command ⌘, P, and R keys on your keyboard.
   

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2. If your Mac plays a startup sound, release the keys after the second time it plays.
3. If there is no startup sound, release the keys after the second time the Apple logo disappears.

23. macOS: Reboot to Safe Mode

1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Restart... (2).
   

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2. Immediately press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard.
3. Release the Shift key when you see the login window.

24. macOS: Check for Updates

1. Click the Apple menu, then click onApp Store.
   

1. Select Updates on the bar at the top.
   

1. Any pending updates for your Mac will be listed here. Select Update All to apply these updates.

MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air must have the power adapter plugged in to automatically download updates.

25. macOS: Restart

1. From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu (1), then select Restart... (2).
   

Any unsaved work will be lost.

26. What's next?